Gary Lee Selk, 82, born August 29, 1939, in Westhope, ND, passed away on November 18th, 2021, at Chapman House in Casper, WY. He passed peacefully and painlessly surrounded by his family. Gary was the son of Marvin Ralph Selk and Merle June (Townsend) Selk. Gary started school in Maxbass, ND, moved 18 times during his twelve years of school, but ended up graduating back in Maxbass. He had a sister Gloria “Dolly” (Gerald) Stewart and a brother Murrey Ralph Selk.
Gary joined the Air Force in February of 1958 and was honorably discharged in February of 1962. He was stationed at the SAC base in Lincoln, NE. He married Muriel Robertson on December 28th, 1962, in Pierson Manitoba, Canada on a cool -28 degree day. They traveled to Santa Barbara, CA where Gary worked at the Texaco Service Station. He then worked for Leonard Taylor’s Texaco. Marvin and Janet were born February 7, 1964. He went to work for Washburn Chevrolet prior to joining the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department in 1968. Murrey was born January 18, 1970, while Gary was at the Sheriff’s Academy. He was elected president of his class at the academy. He was a good officer, especially effective with youth encounters. Gary trained in mountain repelling and scuba diving and was part of the search and rescue team. Gary solved his first homicide shortly after making the rank of detective. They left Santa Barbara in July of 1978 and moved to Miles City, MT where Gary worked at the A&W in Miles City and then went to building Capp homes all over Eastern Montana. He formed Selk Construction and was able to work with both his sons. He retired in 2006. Gary and Muriel moved to Casper, WY in 2020 to live with Blane and Janet Christopherson.
Gary was a loving husband, a great Dad and a wonderful Grandpa and Great Grandpa. Family was so important to him.
Gary is survived by his wife, Muriel, his son Marvin (Lisa) Selk, daughter Janet (Blane) Christopherson, and son Murrey (Holly) Selk. Grandchildren Danyelle (Jimmy) Churchill, Nicole (Sam) Shreeve, Kaytie (Ryan) Magrum, Leslee Christopherson, Mathew Christopherson, Kristen (Caleb) Selk-Smith, Brandon Gary Selk, Ryan Selk, Arena Porter, and Autumn Porter. He has 6 great grandchildren, Grady, Sophie, and Hudson Gary Shreeve, James and Sidney Churchill, and Raylen Magrum. Gary was blessed with a multitude of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, and dear friends! Nephew Glen was always there to shovel snow, drink coffee while telling tall tales, and always making Gary laugh.
Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Mae (Bowen) Selk, James and Isabel Townsend, his parents, Marvin and Merle Selk, sister Dolly (Selk) Stewart, brother Murrey Ralph Selk, great grandson Mason Ryan Magrum and parents-in-law Milfred and Louisa (Skelton) Robertson.
A celebration of Gary’s life will be held in Miles City MT at a later date.
Thank you to Chapman House for the loving care Gary received and to Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home for all their help..
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice or to the United Methodist Church in Miles City to be used for the beautification of the sanctuary.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Bruce Ingraham says
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Gary was a great man. I always enjoyed Our visits when we saw each other.
Bruce and Cindy
Bev Harris says
Muriel and kids, so sorry to see this. Gary was a good man. Prayers to you all at this difficult time.
Dennis Hirsch says
Gary was a great friend and comrade. His laughter will be missed. Our sympathy and prayers are with you all. Meri and Dennis
Louise de Montigny says
Muriel, and all the family, my condolences for your loss.
Walt Marolf says
Muriel
I am so sorry that you and all of us have lost Gary.
He was one of the best men I have ever known and I am glad we shared a long friendship. Judy and I will remember him with great fondness.
Terry becker says
Muriel, I am so sorry to read about Gary’s passing, he was such a good friend of mine, we had lots of fun together in the construction world,I will miss him greatly.
Joe Whalen says
Muriel & Family,
Please accept my condolences. Your grief is shared by the community Gary loved. He was a good man.
Dan and Sue Shreeve says
Our thoughts and prayers to you all. We are so grateful to have had Gary in our lives. Families are forever and we feel blessed to be family.
Mary Notbohm says
Muriel and family, we so enjoyed visiting with you and Gary this past Summer. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Chuck and Mary Notbohm
Rick and Dee Abbott says
To each of Gary’s family members: We fondly remember Gary and are deeply saddened for your loss. I (Rick) worked with Gary and Dennis Hirsch building some of the finest homes in Miles City soon after I moved to Kinsey. Gary was an EXCELLENT carpenter and I learned much from him. We pray that our God envelopes each of you in His comfort, peace and solace.
Susan & Dennis Bakken says
Muriel and family. Our deepest sympathies.
Smith Family says
So sad to hear this. Our boys were very fond of Gary. They have some great stories of when they worked for him in construction. Our condolences to all the family. xxxooo
Pam Rogge says
Muriel and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and in the days ahead. Cherish the many memories of a special man.
Vivian Jensen says
Dear Muriel,
My heart breaks to read this message. Your family was so special to each and every one of us. You provided so much love and compassion to us over the years and my mom and dad never forgot the generosity you provided to us and to others. Our deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family at this difficult time.
With Love,
The Jensen’s
Sonia (Barnhizer), Vivian (McLaughlin), and Lilian (Tabibian)
Deb & Bob Hagemeister says
Muriel and family. So sorry for your loss! Sending prayers and hugs!
Denise Harvey says
I am so very sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in cherished memories.
Denise Harvey
Brent and Kim Christopherson says
Muriel, Marvin, Janet, Murray, and Family,
Gary was the best! A real great guy that was an ideal builder. You knew it was going to be built above specifications when Gary was doing the work. I loved his laugh and smile. You could always count on Gary. He was such a caring, down-to-earth guy, that will sure be missed.
God’s Blessing to you all.
Brent and Kim Christopherson
Lisa Selk says
My father-in-law was the best! I miss him so much and will cherish all the memories the past 40 years!
Wes Wes Malenovsky says
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS MAY GARY REST IN PEACE LONG TIME ASSOCIATES BLESS J&W MAGIC
Robert and Patty Washington says
Our condolences to the Selk Family.