Gary M. Sloan

Gary M. Sloan was born on July 24, 1941, in Colby, Kansas to Royce and Dorothy (Call) Sloan and passed away on Monday September 7, 2026. He was the first grandchild on either side so was treasured and spoiled by his grandparents, aunts and uncles. He grew up on the family farm north of Colby. In those years his dad was busy farming, so he would share the yard care with his mom and loyal dog. He enjoyed sharing time with his cousins, but he loved that he never had to share with any siblings. He attended Colby schools through his junior year and graduated from Gem high school in the spring of 1961.

On April 30th 1960, he married his classmate Judith Lee Toburen. They were blessed with three daughters: Maradith (Stanley) Molstad, Carrie (Greg) Bartlett and Ilana (Patti) Brock. In the fall of 1961, they moved to the Colby Experiment Station where he resided until his retirement as the farm manager in the spring of 1997. Sadly after 33 years of marriage, he lost Judith from cancer on January 2 nd, 1994. She loved the outdoors, so they shared their love of farming and cattle. He was very dedicated to his family and work.

On January 21, 1995, he married Patricia (Sattler) Selby and presently share 31+ years together. He was very proud that he gained a stepdaughter, Jennifer (Selby) Treaster and her husband Jason.

In 2002 he was diagnosed with Parkinsons. He continued to work full-time farming for himself and Miller Farms. On his days off he loved doing woodworking and spent many hours in his shop. He so loved dogs and was so happy to have Bucky for 17 years, Muffin for 7 years and finally his forever love Colby for 10 years.

His love and dedication to his daughters brought great memories. With Maradith he taught her how to properly tie her shoes. She could sit up nights with him in the Dairy barn caring for the mama ewes. He loved woodworking and she has several pieces she cherishes. He was always willing to help them with any projects, and he had two nicknames for her, Katie and Red and as a baby he called her Toady. With Carrie her fond memory is going to the Flipse farm to milk cows. He would take her to Dairy Barn first to get a chocolate milk shake. He always made me buckle my 5 over boots which I thought was uncool. We also shared the love of running as he ran several 5k's. One day I twisted my ankle, and he carried me home because I had cracked my ankle. He and Mom were also so elated that Greg and I provided them with their first grandchild. With Ilana, he taught her to play basketball, drive a tractor and check irrigation pipe. During high school she would come home to share lunch with him. With Jen she felt they started bonding when she called him by his middle name Merle. She thought he felt safe with her talking about his Parkinsons since she works with the elderly. She so loved how much he loved fur babies and his love for Kansas State.

During his time off from work and farming he loved taking his girls to visit with their cousins in Pittsburg, KS and Louisiana. Other great family trips were to the Black Hills, Colorado Royal Gorge and Mt. Rushmore.

One of his special trips was with his Grandma Sloan to Ireland where the family originated. The other special time was years later with Pat on an Alaskan cruise. Another special place was Rochester. When Judith was in Mayo's he started a lasting relationship with several nuns who housed him and they continued their relationship until they passed. A fun family time was on Mother's Day where they would gather at Carrie's for lunch and then have a family softball game.

With Pat they enjoyed taking his mom to her sisters in Greeley. They also continued trips to Rochester after he spent nine weeks there for his cancer treatment. During one of their first shopping trips, he fell in love with a Legends Santa Claus. This began years of shopping and collecting which they still treasure. With his dad passing early from cancer they dedicated years with his mom Dorothy taking her with them on trips and finally had her reside with them for seven years before she spent her last three years at Prairie Senior.

The past two years Gary resided at Prairie Senior Living Center due to his 24 years of Parkinsons. The care and love he received from all of them was just outstanding and we will be forever grateful to the staff and administration. As well as to his physician Brian Unruh for many years.

Preceding him in death was his wife Judith, his parents, in-laws, brother and sister in-laws and a nephew and niece.

Survivors are wife Pat; daughters Maradith (Stanley) Molstad, Carrie (Greg) Bartlett, Ilana (Patti) Brock and Jennifer (Jason) Treaster; grandchildren, Danielle (Tom) Wasson, Kara Bartlett, Matt (Brandie) Bartlett, Mark (Jacquie) Barlett, Katie (Bret) Molstad, Erica (Dominic) Stephens, Cole (Rachel) Bettenbrock, Christopher (Liza) Fuentas and Brynn Treaster; 17 great grandchildren and 5 great-greats.

A celebration for Gary is planned in the Spring. In honor of his wife Judith, daughter Maradith and granddaughter Kara his memorials may be made to NWKS Foundation for Hope and mailed in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or to leave online condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com