Ronald Gellatly Obituary

Ronald Gary Gellatly was born on January 3, 1935 and took his first steps Heaven-side on May 20, 2022, at the age of 87.

To know Gary was to love him and be fervently loved in return. He loved Gail with his whole heart, and passionately loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends as well. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Gary was born and raised in Hotchkiss, Colorado. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a surveyor in artillery from 1954 to 1956. After his time in the service, he graduated from Western State College and later Kansas State Teachers College with a Master of Science in biology (1966).

He married Carol Simillion in 1960, and they were married for 18 years. From this union were born his beloved children Sheri Lee and Steven Gary.

He wore quite a few hats, dabbling in different vocations and showing his zeal for experiencing many various aspects of life. He worked in a mine, restaurant, gas station, grocery store, and as a butcher, paving company worker, Bureau of Reclamation supervisor for the Dolores Archeological Project, summer park ranger at Mesa Verde, Ute Mountain Indian tribe recreation staff member, supply commodity manager for the Department of the Air Force and owned and operated a 20-acre apple farm.

He found his passion, however, in teaching. He moved to Cortez in 1962 to teach biology, advanced biology, physiology, and chemistry at MCHS. He also drove a bus, coached football, and refereed games before later becoming the school's athletic director and vice-principal.

Gary spent nearly 30 years dedicated to teaching and contributing to MCHS and the community. He often spoke of his time in the Montezuma-Cortez school system with fondness. He was an educator at heart and loved teaching inside and outside the classroom. He taught his students and anyone around who had an interest in learning new things.

He modeled what love should look like with how he loved Gail, and they spent the past 30 years together building a life of love. Whether it was dancing in the living room, Sonic dates, holding hands, sitting outside, or going on an adventure, it was no secret to anyone paying attention how much he loved her.

He encouraged his grandchildren to get an education and was one of their biggest cheerleaders while doing so. He was also a staple at their sporting events, whether that was volleyball, basketball, running, flag football, dance, or swimming.

He loved making his grandkids feel special on their birthdays by taking them on a birthday date to celebrate. He also made a point of personally welcoming each new grandchild and great-grandchild into the world. They were his pride and joy!

Gary was also the designated Sonic and pizza delivery man in the family, and he proudly embraced this position. He truly loved serving and caring for others.

He worked hard, but he also loved life, encouraging his family to remember the importance of taking the time to go on adventures and have fun. Gary taught how to appreciate the simple things in life such as a little hummingbird flying in the backyard or the rainbows bouncing off the crystals he would hang in the window.

He had many things in life he loved. The love of his life Gail, his family, reading, making clocks, swing dancing, music, and going on adventures. It didn't matter if it was walking, hiking, motorcycling, jeeping, skiing, river rafting, or a cross-country road trip, he was always up for anything.

He loved working in his yard, planting a garden, growing flowers, and strawberries (which his grandkids always found and ate), tending trees, bird watching, or just putting around outside.

He will be missed, but the mark he left on the lives of those he loved will forever be felt.

Gary reminded us of the importance of building boats in our lives - creating memories, loving others, always learning new things, and living each day with joy. We will strive to continue building the boats he was building during his time here and live life with no regrets.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Florence Gellatly and his sister Kaye Myers. He is survived by his children Sheri (Randon) Riffey and Steve (Dawn) Gellatly, sister Karen Martin, Gail Bond and her children Steve (Barb) Chappell, Brett (Tamika) Chappell, Candi (Vic) Duran, and Dale (Mary) Chappell. He also leaves behind 22 grandchildren and 20 great-children.

A celebration of life will be held at Montezuma-Cortez Middle School - 450 W. Second Street - on Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m.