Gary Gourley

Gary Gourley, 94, of Webster City died Monday, June 9, 2025 at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2025 at Asbury United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday June 14, 2025 at the church with private burial at Saratoga Cemetery. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with caring for Gary and his family.

Gary Groves Gourley, son of John and Helen Groves Gourley, was born on July 26, 1930 in Corwith, Iowa. He moved with his parents and two brothers to a century farm south of Webster City in 1946 and graduated from Lincoln high school in 1948. Gary attended Webster City Junior College and then transferred to Iowa State University. His college was interrupted by the Korean War in January 1951 where he went to serve in the United States Air Force in Germany until December 1954. Gary enrolled back into Iowa State University in 1955 and graduated in 1956 with a degree in animal husbandry. In college he was a member of the Iowa State Meat Livestock judging team.

On April 30, 1955, Gary was united in marriage to Georgianna Crystal and they were blessed with five children, Gerald, Gina, George, Gene and Gerry. They started farming after purchasing 140 acres from a neighbor and renting 60 acres from his grandfather, George Groves. Gary received the Master Lamb Producer Award in 1964 and Master Pork Producer Award in 1968. He was active in the 4-H Leadership Program and a longtime leader of the Hamilton Herders 4-H Club. Gary was Superintendent of the Sheep Program at the Hamilton County Fair for many years. He was also a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, serving on the Methodist Men, 3 M’s Sunday School and co-leader of the Junior and Senior Youth Groups.

He enjoyed vacations around Dubois, Wyoming backpacking with the family, traveling the US, Canada and around the world, river cruises, wintering in Mesa, Arizona since 1989 and square dancing for 38 years.

Gary is survived by his wife of 70 years, Georgianna; children, Gerald (Terry) Gourley of Webster City and family Sarah Holt, Breanna (Craig) Signorin, Garrett (Desi) Gourley; Gina (Brian) Smith of Ames and family Erin Smith, Drew (Hannes) Reinot, Leah Smith; George (Kathy) Gourley of Webster City and family Sawyer (Will) Higgins, Morgan (Dylan) Fielder, Gianna (fiancé Caleb Bartling) Gourley; Gene (Maurita) Gourley of Webster City and family Gabby Gourley and Chandler Gourley; Gerry (Teresa) Gourley of Webster City and family Teagan Gourley and Joslin Gourley; great-grandchildren, Marissa Miller; Nash, Kanon and Ike Holt; Charlotte, Grayson and Elianna Signorin; Graham Gourley; Brecken and Berit Higgins;; Beau and Bodi Fielder and brother, Lynn (Ellie) Gourley of Starkville, MS.

He is preceded in death by his parents; triplet grandchildren, Ashley, Ona and Coulter Gourley; brother Don Gourley and sisters -in-law, Virginia Gourley and Darlene Gourley.

Memorials may be made in Gary’s honor to Asbury United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #191 or Hamilton County Fair.