Gary Dean Leaf, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home after a short battle with cancer on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the age of 54.

Gary was born August 28, 1962, to Harlan Allan and Laura Jane Jepsen Leaf in North Platte where he grew up. Gary attended North Platte High School before he went to work for Hoppe Lumber Yard, which later became Carhart Lumber. He started as a cement driver then eventually became an assistant manager. Gary worked at the lumber yard for over 30 years and had recently stopped working because of his health.

When Gary was young, his grandpa Jepsen taught him to fish, thus beginning his love for fishing. Not only was he an excellent fisherman, Gary also enjoyed participating in fishing tournaments with his friend, Bob Skates. They had traveled all over and won many times through the years, including the 1998 Shoot Out Walleye Tournament at Lake McConaughy.

Gary was always looking for “the big ones” while fishing. One of his favorite places to go was Merritt Reservoir but we’ll never know exactly where the best fishing was since he took his favorite spots with him. Along with fishing, Gary liked going out on his boat and camping.

In 1982 Gary met Shari Lynn Jones and they were together for 35 years. Gary was a great brother and friend who was kind and helpful to others.

He is survived by his wife, Shari, of North Platte; brother, Michael (Robin) Leaf, of Fort Collins, CO; uncle, Gordon (Joann) Leaf, of Divide, CO; aunts, Beverly Kelly and Arlene Jepsen, of North Platte and Helen Leaf, of Kearney, NE; mother-in-law, Janice Jones, of North Platte; nephews, Matthew Leaf, of Rapid City, SD, Bobby and Brandon Jones, of Cheyenne, WY, Talan and Sawyer McGill and Samuel Gosnell, all of North Platte; nieces, Amanda Leaf, of Wellington, CO, and Amy Leaf, of Cleveland, OH, and Sally McGill and Juliet Gosnell, of North Platte; great-nephew, Nolan, of Wellington; great-niece, Kelsey Jones, of Cheyenne; brothers-in-law, Tommy Jones, of Cheyenne and Christopher Gosnell (Amber), of North Platte; sisters-in-law, Amy (Jake) McGill, of North Platte and Carlene Jones, of Cheyenne; as well as many cousins, other family and his friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Laura; brother, Randy Leaf; grandparents, Milton and Sallie Jepsen and Allan and Nancy Leaf; father-in-law, Tom Jones; and grandparents-in-law, Charlotte and Sam Jones and Adolph and Eleanor Wonka.

Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Gary Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Monday and Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial.