Gary Lee Babel died March 14, 2017 at the Saratoga Care Center. He was born November 17, 1937 in Rock Springs to Steven Louis Babel and Evelyn Sue (Harnish) Babel. Gary was 79 years old.
He was raised in Superior, Wyoming where his father was a coal miner and later deputy sheriff of Sweetwater County. Gary went to elementary school and high school in Superior. In 1955, the family moved the house 20 miles to Rock Springs.
In January 1956 Gary completed a course in radio and television at Park's Radio and TV Institute in Denver.
He attended the University of Wyoming from 1957 to 1961 and graduated with a B.A. in mathematics. While at the University, he was elected as a student senator to serve on the student government council. He taught in Dubois, Wyo. for one year.
In December of 1962 Gary enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Enterprise in the Mediterranean.
He then taught two years in Rock River.
On June 5, 1965 at the Newman Chapel in Laramie, Gary married Judith (Dower) Babel of Grand Island, New York. They were married 52 years.
In 1966-1967 he received a National Science Foundation grant for master degrees in both Math and Physics at the University of Wyoming.
For the school year 1967-68 Gary and Judy taught in Kemmerer. They were hired to teach in Saratoga in 1968. Gary retired in May of 1993. He taught a total of 29 years with 25 years in Saratoga.
Gary was an active member of Saint Ann's Catholic Church, belonged to the Knights of Columbus, was a past-president of the Saratoga Lions Club, and was also a member of the Wyoming Education Association.
He was an avid hunter and fly fisherman. He enjoyed poker, bridge and other card games, played a good game of chess, loved to float the river and picnic in the mountains and also loved to travel.
He was preceded in death by his parents Steve and Sue Babel, and his brother Paul Babel. He is survived by his wife Judy Babel, his son Erik Babel of Sterling, Colorado, his daughter Karen (Babel) Phelps (Randall), of Aurora, Colorado and grandchildren Kiandra and Ryker Phelps of Aurora, Colorado, his daughter Kirsti Babel and his sister Nan (Babel) DeBernardi (Gary) of Salt Lake City.
At Gary's request, cremation has taken place and services are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 29 at Saint Ann's Catholic Church in Saratoga at for the Rosary and noon March 30 for the Mass when a light luncheon to will be in the Parish Hall.
Tributes and condolences may be offered online at http://www.jacobycares.com.
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