Lt. Dave Gluyas
Retired Wyoming State Trooper David Brian Gluyas, age 63, died Sunday, November 29, 2020 in Naples, Florida following heart by-pass surgery.
Dave was born in Miles City, Montana September 21, 1957 to Dona Y.(Godfrey) Cogdill and W.R. “Bill” Gluyas. He attended schools in Baker, MT, Butte, ND, and Miles City, Custer County High School class of 1976, and graduated at Beach, ND before attending Montana State University, Bozeman studying engineering.
In Butte, ND, he was coached by his brother, Lynn, in 8th grade basketball and baseball. In 1973 CCHS football, he started as a junior; his team lost their only game of the season at Butte Central in the semi-finals to the eventual state champions.
David accepted Christ as his Savior as a young man during a tent ministry service at the Eastern Montana Fair. In his early life he attended the Baker Community Church and then First Presbyterian in Miles City, MT.
Early adult years were spent in career exploration, travel, and developing lifelong friendships. He worked for UPS and the Milwaukee Railroad in Montana and Wyoming; in construction in San Antonio, TX and opened a fitness gym in Cody, Wyoming.
David found a perfect career fit in law enforcement with the Wyoming Highway Patrol retiring after 25 years of service October 22, 2010 as Lieutenant. He served as patrolman starting December 27, 1985 in Jackson followed by assignments in Lovell and Worland. His promotion to Lieutenant was in 2000.
He counted it an honor to serve on a presidential security detail for George H W Bush and as firearms instructor at the Wyoming Highway Patrol Academy.
His patience made him a natural teacher. His firearms training extended to his brothers and sister; among his words of instruction “front sight, front sight”.
During his years in body building, he was runner-up to Mr. Wyoming. While living in Jackson, he served on the downhill ski patrol.
Dave was a sportsman and led an active life enjoying a variety of sports from childhood through retirement as player (wrestling, football, Worland WY state softball), coach, and avid spectator: baseball, golf, hunting and fishing, lots of fishing.
Even more rare than his hole-in-one in golf, was his double-eagle and a lowest score of 29 on a nine-hole course in Worland, WY.
Dave was extremely proud of his membership on the WY Cowboy Joe State Tournament golf Championship in 2010. Members of this team were Kermit Sweeny and his wife Wendy, and daughter Bri along with Jeff Vail. The tournament’s finale was in Laramie where they won in the first hole of a playoff. They qualified at the Powderhorn in Sheridan.
As a hunter, he conquered bighorn sheep, deer, antelope, wild boar, moose and elk. He often hunted game birds in MT, WY, and SD with his brothers and a best friend, Steve Marten.
He caught a huge paddlefish in MT when he was 20 years old. However, his most common fish caught were snook, mahi-mahi and redfish along with Large Mouth Bass at Lake Okeechobee. His deep-sea fishing highlight was catching 2 sailfish off Jupiter, FL on the same fishing trip.
Dave showed his servant’s heart when fishing; he got the boat ready and cleaned it afterward, readied the fishing rods, removed the fish hook, filleted the fish, took the photo to make the fish look larger, felt sincere joy when others caught their big one, and when you got home, he also cooked the fish.
David was committed to youth sports. He hosted a foreign exchange student who also played basketball. He served as a WY high school basketball referee including one game coached by his brother, Lynn at Edgar, MT ending in a 1 point win. He mentored a young golfer, Bri Sweeny, guiding her through a hardship license process to a professional career in golf.
David loved watching his nephew, Terry, play football with Rocky Mountain College and even adjusted his work schedule to attend home games or drive to the state line to listen on his radio.
He once drove 500 miles to the Air Force Academy, CO, to watch nephew, Chris, hit 2 homeruns in a college baseball game doubleheader. Then he drove home.
Upon retirement he moved to Cape Coral / Fort Myers, FL where he worked as a Southwest FL baseball umpire for high school and college games and even had the thrill of umping a MLB Minnesota Twins makeup inter-squad game.
During high school in Miles City, Dave met and dated Carie Caldwell. Years later they met again and were married April 20, 2018 in a beautiful sunset ceremony in Naples, Florida. They spent happy years exploring beaches and fishing the Gulf, attending country music events in Nashville and spending time with friends, family and their dogs (always a dog lover).
David is remembered for his kindness, generosity, infectious sense of humor, determination, competitive spirit, love of family and friends, strong work ethic, dependability and loyalty.
He is preceded in death by his mother in 1995, his father in 2009 and his brother-in-law, Dean Waid, in 2000.
Dave is survived by his wife, Carie (Caldwell) Gluyas, two brothers Lynn (Mickey) McMillan of Lewistown, MT, [nephews Tom (Denise) McMillan, Dr. Terry (Christa) McMillan and niece Jennifer (Todd) Beyerlein], Don (Grace) McMillan of Jupiter, Florida, [nephews Chris (Jill) McMillan, Matthew (Cathy) McMillan] and one sister, Tana (Mark) Frost of Appleton, WI [nephew Dr. Kory Waid (Stefanie) and niece Deanna (Ryan) Neff], seven grand nephews, six grand nieces, one aunt Sarah Taylor, Miles City, MT, and cousins Steven, Linda and Curtis, father-in-law-Frank Caldwell, Bonita Springs, FL, mother-in-law-Betty Caldwell, Murfreesboro, TN/Naples, FL, two sisters-in-law: Jane Caldwell, Grand Cayman and Laurie Caldwell Krueger, niece Elle and nephew James, Worcester, MA.
He is further survived by three stepbrothers: Allen Minkoff, Helena, MT, Richard Minkoff, Billings, MT, Dan (Karen) Minkoff, Chariton IA; two stepsisters Mary Jean (Dennis) Shober, Helena, and Linda (Tom) Maxwell, Lewistown, MT.
Recognizing the difficulty of only mentioning a few of Dave’s many friends; he would want to include these lifelong buddies: Steve (Becky) Martens and their son Seth, Sundance, WY, Jerry (Shawn) Slater, Florence, MT, and Dr. Harry “Butch” Griffith, Shelton, WA.
Dave treasured his fellow Troopers of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Sheriff Departments, and local law enforcement for their collaboration, mutual respect, and camaraderie.
Due to Coronavirus restrictions, a private celebration of David’s life will be held at a future time, on the beach where they were married.
Memorial donations may be made to the Southwest Florida Coastal Conservation Association www.CCAFlorida.org to ensure health and conservation of marine resources and anglers’ access to them.
CCA Florida
P. O. Box 568886
Orlando, FL 32856
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Pam Moths Nisley says
So saddened to read of Dave’s passing! I am praying for comfort for all of his loved ones….May you all feel the loving arms of Jesus holding you now and in the months to come. I remember Dave from way back…. Junior High….as I recall, he had a passion for sports 🙂 We care!!!
Ken Ball says
I spent days with Dave back many years ago. I lived with him when he first joined the Wyoming Highway Patrol in Jackson Wyoming. Back then he was like my big brother. Thank you for guiding me Dave Rest In Peace brother. Many happy memories. To his family that he leaves behind I offer my families condolences.
Diana Elwood says
I am so sorry to see this, David was such a great guy. We met when we were freshmen in high school, he was always a pleasure to be around. God be with all of David’s family.
Jackie Duncan Zawada says
So sad! I have such fond memories growing up with Dave, my condolences to his family!
Bobby Lowe says
Dave and I were friends since the early Jackson days. We fly fished the Snake and Green Rivers. We loved hunting pheasants and ducks together with our dogs in the Bighorn basin. Lots of great memories around Lovell chasing wily roosters.
Dave was a friend to everyone he met. Always cheery and smiling. Truly a nice man.
I’m glad to have recently been able to spend some days fishing with him at Naples in his boat he loved. He was in his element on the water with a rod in hand.
Wonderful memories buddy. I know you are casting your fly tight to the mangroves right now.
Karla Muri Murnin says
My heart is sad! Dave and I met our first day of 5th grade and shared a long friendship. May his family know he was valued and loved for the special man he was. It made me so happy that he got to do so many things he loved! May you all be comforted by the love of Jesus and cherish the memories! God bless you with peace.
Lucinda Rost says
Dave, whom I fondly referred to as ‘sticky butt’ (a title of endearment) started our friendship in Sunday school as young kids at the Presbyterian church. Years later we grew to be buddies that created fun and safe mayhem as we grew into our adult lives. He was a top notch guy for whom I always held in high regard. I gave him my treasured ‘64 Dodge Dart when I joined the Army as I knew he loved it as much as I did. He always had my back. He will remain forever in my heart and memory as one of my best buddies for life. God bless your amazing soul ‘SB’!
Carey Swenson says
Truly saddened to hear of Dave‘s passing. I have not seen or talked to Dave for quite some time but have many fond memories of playing softball and just hanging out. Big hearted man always do anything to help you or give you anything. I hope your family can find some comfort in the fact that there are a lot of us that share your loss!
Matt Schmitz says
After hunting and fishing and playing golf with Dave for decades….I never imagined the day I couldn’t call him and plan another fishing trip or music festival.
Tight lines and fair seas buddy!
RIP Lieutenant!
Michael Hardesty says
I remember playing Little League with Dave, in a game against Terry Mt. I was pitching and Dave was catching, We almost had a perfect game going, but I walked one guy, and then Dave threw him out stealing 2nd. We won 7-0 and got free milkshakes at Dairy Queen. Great memory! He used to always say Gluyas, Sticky Butt, what’s the difference! He was a great guy!
Stephanie Michels says
I am so sad to hear of David’s passing. I have known him since junior high and even shared an all girls weekend years after graduation with him when he was in the area hunting with his dogs. Such a huge heart and kind soul. I will really miss our bantering about the weather, Florida vs Montana, on Facebook. Condolences to all his family and friends.
Connie Waid says
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Will keep the family in my prayers.
Dan off says
My heart is filled full of sadness for the passing of Dave. My condolences to his family . I have a lot of fond memories of Dave and I hunting fishing and just playing and goofing around. I will truly miss his fishing pictures and weather reports from Florida on Facebook. R i p Dave
Dan Hauf says
My heart is filled full of sadness for the passing of Dave. My condolences to his family . I have a lot of fond memories of Dave and I hunting fishing and just playing and goofing around. I will truly miss his fishing pictures and weather reports from Florida on Facebook. R i p Dave
Curtis Fillafer says
Gluyas family. I’m so sorry for the loss of David. God Bless you David in heaven. You were a good long time friend/ I’m so sorry to see you leave us
Dino Johnson says
My condolences to Dave’s family, so sorry for your loss. I have known Dave from little league thru all of the fun with him in high school and when we lived together for a short time after HS. I have found memories of his GTO and glad we made it thru. He was always a great person and would help you in a heart beat. I hope you take comfort it the fact that he touched a lot of lives and gave a lot of great memories.
Sharon Bixler Oftedal says
I also, along with Karla Muri Murnin, met Dave on his first day of fifth grade–the difference is that I was their
teacher. He was a great kid when he was 10 years old, and clearly he became a great adult. This doesn’t surprise me a bit. My heart goes out to his family and friends as they face this loss. But it’s apparent that they’ll all have
many great memories to sustain them.
Cherie LeBlanc says
I remember David from high school, he lived down the street from me, his step mom wasn’t well and he took great care of her. David was a very good person and a pretty genuine dude. I was good to here he met up with Carrie again and was living the dream in Florida.
Ed&Chris Lehman says
We had been neighbors to Dave and to Carie these past recent years. We were always amazed at Dave’s willingness to help us (Carie, too!) with anything. They would also very often be at our door with fresh fish for our dinner! We will sadly miss Dave! Our prayers go out to Carie and to all their family!
Rick and Dee Abbott says
To each of David’s family: Please accept our sincerest condolences. We didn’t know David that well personally;but, we felt as though we did through our conversations with Bill. May your great memories sustain you through your grief.
Cheryle Korneychuk Angelo says
Sam and I were so sorry to read of the passing of Dave. We reconnected when he lived in Worland Wyoming. He did so many community things and always made us feel so safe when we were traveling between Worland and Billings knowing he was patrolling and watching to keep everyone safe. All our sympathy to Tana and the rest of his family. May God bless and comfort you through such a sad time.
Randi and Doug Wenz says
To Dave’s family, We are so sorry for your loss. I remember Dave when he was little, and so glad to see he turned into such a great guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Randi (Bergstrom) and Doug Wenz
Frank Caldwell says
Dave was like the son I never had, not just a son in-law. Great person. He and Carie were a happy pair together. Very dear.
Joan Schmidt Bunke says
I went to school with Dave and found him kind, sincere, and a private individual. I did not know him very well. The Dave Gluyas I knew I liked and respected. Which reflects he had a personality that stood over and above most Jr High and HS students.
Please accept my condolences in his passing.
How very blessed you were if you were loved by him and active in his life.
Sincerely,
Joan Schmidt Eddy Bunke
Doug Richardson says
Dave was a neighbor. Patient and understanding, He was knowledgeable about so many things and eager to share what he knew.
Always had a smile. Just a true gentleman.
Delores Cook says
My heart is saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. He became a good friend during his years with the Wyoming Highway Patrol in Lovell and Worland. When my husband (Jerry Cook) retired from the Wyoming Highway Patrol Dave served as MC at the retirement dinner.
My deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to Carie and his family.
Gail Finch Shipek says
CCDHS First Homecoming King! So sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Fun to read about his amazing life and how he touched others. Glad to hear he will be on the other side. God bless and comfort all of his family.