Gary Lee Waters
The Western News | UPDATED 2 hours AGO
Gary Lee Waters, 90, of Brandon, South Dakota died July 17, 2026 at Sioux Falls Veterans Hospice Cottages.
He was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Steven Waters and Oma Waters Green. He grew up in Midland, Texas.
He married Carolyn A Yelderman, June 8, 1957. She died March 12, 1994. Waters married Patricia Olson, July 4, 2000 - present.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry in 1958 from Texas A&M University. Upon completion of his degree, he served as a pilot in the United States Air Force for two years, which took them to South Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma. Flying would be a skill he used throughout his life time.
He returned to Texas A&M University to receive his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in Avian Pathology in 1965. He worked for Hy Line in Iowa, Cal Maine in Texas and was president of DeKalb Ag. in Illinois. He was internationally recognized for his clinical expertise in avian health and pathology, which took him around the world.
In 2007 he was inducted into the District XI Honor Roll Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, frequently being a speaker at the conferences. Upon retiring from corporate life he was a private consultant for many contacts made during his career, especially in Japan.
He enjoyed golf and fishing in Creed, Colorado, Rio Negro in the Amazon and Alaska. He was an avid reader, always learning and expanding his mind and knowledge base. His home in Montana was a very special place, “Querencia.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Gustov and Mildred Yelderman, stepfather JR Green, wife Carolyn Y. Waters and half-brother Craig Green.
He is survived by his wife Patricia; three daughters: Sheri (John) Joseph of Texas, Wendi (Robert) Schumaker of Texas, and Page (Chad) Thompson of Oklahoma; five grandchildren: Kelli (Travis) Rossell, Michael (Monica) Joseph, Stephani Joseph, Payton (Bryce) Herlihy and Avery (Jake) Mincher; five great-grandchildren: Mackenna, Shalynn, Liam,Julian and Drew. He also leaves behind his loving stepchildren, Jackie, Michelle (Justin), and James (Haley), alongside Pat’s grandchildren, Delaney, Ava and Kate.
He will always be remembered as a proud Texas A&M Aggie and a die hard Texan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine in memory of Gary Lee Waters DVM, 1965, or to the Parkinson’s Foundation.