Gary was born to Vernon and Doris Rice on December 3, 1939, the second of three children. He was reared on the family ranch just east of Ten Sleep. Gary spent his days involved in the day-to-day operations of the ranch since he could walk and continued with his involvement until his death. After high school Gary took his passion and love of livestock to Utah State University and received a B.S. in Animal Science. He then returned to Wyoming and worked with his brother Ray operating two ranches, Vernon Rice & Sons and Rice Ranch Inc. They worked alongside each other until Ray’s death in 1996. Ray was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2017. Gary was involved with breaking and training horses, doctoring, calving, branding, and herding cattle. Three of Gary’s five grandsons are the 5th generation working the land.
Gary Vernon Rice
