Gary Hoffman

Gary E. Hoffman

April 4,1945-October 3, 2025

Horse’n around for 80 years!

You may know Gary from 52 years in Cody Wyoming and the old Corral West Ranchwear across from the Irma Hotel. Gary and his wife Harveyna (deceased 2009) moved to Cody to manage the western wear stores in 1971. They rented a little house on 12th with a white picket fence and sent his two girls to Rose’s day care. They ran their tail off especially during tourist season with all the stock merchandise either up or down stairs. They made $270 per month plus commissions which won him a trip to Hawaii and ownership shares for the now Boot Barn building in Cheyenne, paid for with yearly bonuses. Goodturn Dr home shaped their lives snowmobiling in Cooke City and Yellowstone and enjoyed many laughs with Country Motion Dance friends. They got to meet John Wayne and entertain the community over the 4th of July parades and community events.

In 1977 they moved to 5 acres on Cooper Lane and purchased horses. A dream come true for Gary. Many memories of trial by error with new horses and his 1st and only black Arabian. Gary’s family raised a huge garden, irrigated the land, hayed and invested in Kari (passed in 2007) and Kim’s skiing, gymnastics and dance classes while teaching the family to love and ride horses.

Gary’s buddy started a vacuum and rubber stamp business next to the Corral store. Gary purchased the small business and moved it to a newly built shop back on Goodturn Dr with his new wife Jeanette, ‘Gary’s Vacuum & Rubber Stamps’. His bonus daughters Laura and then Lynn worked with them for over 18 yrs to build a thriving Cody business selling rubber stamps and repairing vacuums for the locals. They greeted customers with a smile and worked hard to provide quality products and services. Gary and his wife Jeanette purchased a property up the Southfork where they watched their 10 grandkids grow, worked the land and had many hay days with family and friends. He bred, trained and raised gorgeous black and white Tennessee Walker paints. Jeanette road trails with him for over 15+ years with friends and members of the Boot and Bottle Club. Gary road many trails, trained his horses, found their gauges and experienced many mountain adventures. He enjoyed a taste of whiskey over the campfire and hunted elk with true horsemen. The best days of his life! He gave many extended family and friends experiences of a lifetime on those mountain trails. Jeanette impressed “all” with her home cooking, fresh garden food and canned goods. Gary could not get enough of her home cooked meals.

They purchased land on Lane 18 on the Powell Hwy overlooking McCulough Peaks, Heart Mountain and Carter Mountain. His vision came true after a lot of hard work building fences, corrals and a barn on 20 acres. He had great vision! Jeanette always working alongside him with his 10 grandkids and bonus daughters and spouses (Jacque, Debbie & Kevin, Lynn and Derrell and Laura & Harold). They had a great life in Cody for 35 yrs.

Gary sold Lane 18 after 14 years in 2022 to a local guide & family who still rides his last paint ‘Willow’.

Gary and family moved him to Alcova, Wyoming with his son-in-law Mark and daughter Kim after Jeanette’s passing in 2019. He enjoyed the lake views, boating, kayaking, walking, swimming and visiting with tall tells of mountain passes and glacier lakes. Gary always had a huge smile while adding value. After 53 years of cold Wyoming winters, he decided to visit Florida in the winter on the Caloosahatchee River North of The Gulf of America. He loved the sunset views on the water, the morning sun, palm trees, flowers and the beaches! He enjoyed boating, riding his bike around the neighborhood and swimming. He always had companionship with his Chihuahua ‘Pepe’ and the many families and friends he met and visited daily.

He said his goodbyes to his daughters and grandchildren, read prayers and notes from his family. Gary told stories of a 6-year-old kid who loved horses. He grew up poor with no running water and sugar & mayonnaise sandwiches on mom’s homemade bread. After picking strawberries in a field at nine years old he loved cooling down in the lake and caring for local horses. With a tear and a last breath of pure gratitude! He left this beautiful earth on his own terms.

A cowboy rides….We are sure your kind heart, big smiles and always adding value… lives on as your legacy left behind!

ID Family ~ Diane and Patty ~ sisters, George and Mark ~ brothers & Jim~(deceased)

Wy Family ~ Harveyna Hoffman~ (deceased 2009), Karina Hoffman ~ daughter (deceased 2007), Kimberly Hoffman Feilmeier ~ daughter & husband Mark – Alcova, Wy, Jeanette Hoffman ~ wife (deceased 2019), Debbie Hepp ~ bonus daughter & husband Kevin-Gillette Wy, Jacque Reilly ~ bonus daughter-Dayton Wy, Lynn ~ bonus daughter & husband Darrell-Cody Wy, Laura ~ bonus daughter & husband Harold-Cody Wy.

Blessed with 15 great grandchildren!