Obituary: GARY DANIEL ALLES

November 15, 1940 – May 22, 2026

Gary Daniel Alles, 85, of Greeley, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026 at NCMC in Greeley. He was born on November 15, 1940 in Greeley to Daniel and Esther (Weibert) Alles where he grew up on the family farm and dairy. He was raised and confirmed in St. Paul’s Congregational Church. He graduated from 8th grade at Auburn School, the only one in his class, in 1954 and went on to attend College High School in Greeley where he graduated in 1958 and played basketball and baseball.
Gary played for the LaSalle American Legion A baseball team from 1954-58, which was the premier summer team in that area. In fact, Gary tried out for the New York Yankees at the old Bears Stadium in Denver. In 1958, he took his first trip away from the farm, with his uncle Herman Weibert, traveling to the World Series in Milwaukee, WI between the Milwaukee Braves and New York Yankees.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his basic training at Amarillo AF Base in Texas. He received an honorary discharge in the fall of 1967, returning to take over the family farm, serving in the Air National Guard.
In July 1963, Gary was cruising Dizzy Block in downtown Greeley. Susan Taylor was in a Ford Falcon with friends when another car full of girls pulled up behind them and a fight ensued. Gary and his cousin, Gene Alles, broke up the hair pulling and this is how he and Susan met! They were later married on January 7, 1968 at the First Christian Church in Greeley.
On July 31, 1976, they sold the dairy herd, focusing more on farming. He designed and built farm equipment to help customize their operation. He also coached his daughters 4-H softball teams and served as the Weld County 4-H Athletic Committee Chairman and member for many years.
Gary was an avid Denver Broncos fan since 1960 and a season ticket holder since 1970. He enjoyed attending games with his mother, Esther, as well as his wife and daughters and other friends and extended family. He also enjoyed sports of all kinds, including the Avalanche and Nebraska football and volleyball.
Gary served on the Board of Directors of the Union Reservoir Company for about four years as well as the Board of Directors of the Union Ditch Company. He served as President of the Union Ditch Company from 1987 to 2022 and was instrumental in the construction of the new river diversion structure on the South Platte River in 2002, replacing the old structure from the 1870’s.
In 2003, UWAG (Utility Water Act Group) was formed and Gary served as a board member and President. He was instrumental in navigating their case through water court, obtaining an augmentation decree in 2012. He also served as a Garst Seed Salesman from 1986-1994, Director and President of Greeley Local Sugarbeet Growers Association and was an original shareholder in Western Sugar Cooperative, receiving a number of High Sugar Awards and Corn Yield Awards.
In 1977, Susan brought home their first basset hound puppy. He teased they weren’t “dogs” and 8 pups later, came to love each and every one of them. They enjoyed travels to Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica and in 2019 to Europe with their daughters. He also loved to go fishing and camping, played softball as an adult, was an avid reader, loved attending the State Fair, was a patriotic American who loved spending time with his grandkids and their three basset hounds; Harper, Calvin and Hudson.
Thankful to have shared his life are his wife, Susan, their daughters; Stacey Alles (Kendall Finnigsmier) and Kristy (Pat) Alles-Serrant, six grandchildren; Ryley, Camryn, Susan, Lillie,
Evan and Maxwell, his sister; Carolyn (Vern) Kammerzell, sisters-in-law; Geneva Clark and Jan Taylor as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws; Jesse and Louise Taylor, and two brothers-in-law, Clarence Clark and Daryl Taylor.
A viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 18 followed by a Life Celebration at 10:30 a.m. at Kersey Community Church, 26221 CR 53, Kersey followed by a luncheon in the Memorial Building. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorial gifts may be made to “NOCO Humane Society” or “National Jewish Hospital” in care of Young’s Funeral Service, 102 E. Charlotte Street, Johnstown, CO 80534. Condolences and tributes may be shared at youngsfunerals.com.