Gary Wayne Stoeger was born February 18, 1960 to Robert Sr. and Norma (Brown) Stoeger in Valentine, NE. He joined older sister, Karen and older brother, Robert Jr. Younger brothers Mark, Doug, and David followed.
Gary forged his own path through and around societal norms from an early age. He most likely caused quite a few educators to question their career choices as well as suffer from premature graying and balding.
Gary's natural physical abilities were quite obvious and resulted in several Nebraska and South Dakota Golden Gloves Boxing Championships.  He qualified for the NSAA state wrestling tournament and was favored to win his junior year. Instead, he made Omaha World Herald Headlines when he was declared academically ineligible on the opening day of the tournament. He did return his senior year and earned a 2nd place medal.
Other than at the circus, Gary was possibly the first person many people in Valentine saw riding a unicycle. He could also pop a wheelie on a bike and ride it for blocks. Gary may or may not have been responsible for a set of dirt bike tracks left in the hallway at the high school. He also had an uncanny ability to locate, capture and handle rattlesnakes.
Gary's musical talents were also very well known. He played with The Stallion Band for many years. It seems that the only instruments he was unable to play were the ones he never got a chance to try. The keyboard was definitely his favorite. Gary could sit down and play at a very high level for hours, even providing organ music at Granddad Jiggs' funeral service.
Gary did his part to ensure the Valentine Police Department was fully staffed and on their toes. He seemed to enjoy the local game of cat and mouse involving mostly minor traffic infractions.
When asked about one ticket for impeding traffic, he said "I was cited for driving down main street at 7 mph-I know I was going at least eleven!" Police Chief Jim Lutter once said, "That brother of yours was the smartest SOB I ever had to deal with."
Everyone knew his signature look: long hair, a beard, short cut-offs, a ripped up shirt. He was usually barefoot and often on a bike. He was most comfortable in hot weather and moved to Quartzite, AZ 15 years ago. He spent the 'off-season' making items from local stones and selling them at the annual gem shows. Gary would barter and trade, do day work, and was well known for his work ethic.

Gary passed away January 9, 2026 in Quartzite, AZ. He is survived by children Tenille (James) Sykes of Gretna, NE and Jared (Mandy) Stoeger of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, William Sykes and Cylas, Eliza and Trinity Stoeger; mother, Norma Stoeger; and siblings, Karen Gill, Bob (Margaret), Mark (Janell), Doug (Chelsey) and David, all of Valentine. He is survived by a niece and four nephews, as well as great-nieces and a great-nephew. He is also survived by Kristi Benson, Tom Benson and Kari (Joe) Conroy.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Stoeger, Sr., nephew, Charles Stoeger and grandparents, Jim and Lena Brown and Harvey 'Jiggs' and Irene Stoeger.
Services to be held at 11:00 March 7 at the Berean Bible Church in Valentine with inurnment at a later date in Harmony Cemetery.