FT. PIERRE, SD – Gary Arthur McComsey, 74, of Fort Pierre, SD passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, SD. Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 30th at Isburg Funeral Chapel.

Gary was born on November 4, 1950 to Arthur and Beverly (Herr) McComsey in Conde, SD. He was an energetic child and quite mischievous at times! He was an amazing athlete and excelled as a running-back in football. He also played baseball, basketball and track. After graduating from Northwestern High School in Northville, he helped build the new school in Mellette as a bricklayer.

Gary attended college at Chadron State in Nebraska and played football as a running back. He also played in a 16-inch softball in the AA league and hit many home runs, often crushing the ball and destroying it. He was definitely a force to be reckoned with in any sport he played! In 1973 he married Christine Snow. They had two children, Gerrick and Kori and made their home in Redfield, SD.

In 1985 Gary married Rhonda Hirsch. He took a job with Super 8 Builders of Aberdeen, SD as a project manager building new hotels. They moved to Johnson City, TN where they welcomed their first daughter Nicole in 1986. They moved several times from Bristol, VA to Prescott, AZ, back to Aberdeen and then to Winner, SD. While living in Winner, they had three more children, Melissa, Jacy and Carly. In 2001 they moved to Pierre where Gary continued his career in construction, but with the river in his backyard, he often played hooky in order to fish or hunt. His passion was to fish and he competed in many tournaments, often with his son, brothers or a close friend. He made time to hunt deer every fall and went on several elk hunting trips as well. In 2006 he experienced serious health problems and retired soon after. Gary became involved in local AA groups and made good friends at the daily meetings.

Gary enjoyed watching old westerns, going on “trips to town” with his dog and best friend Pete and playing with his grandbabies. He moved to Maryhouse nursing home in the spring of 2025.

Gary is survived by his six children, Gerrick of Pierre, Kori (Mark) of Avon, IN, Nicole of Pierre, Melissa (Zachary) of Fort Pierre, Jacy (Brandon) of Mitchell, SD, and Carly of Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren, Blake, Alondra, Kember, Nakay, Brynlee, KyLeigh and Beckett; three brothers, Daniel (Jeanne) of Onida, SD, Jim of Leola, SD and Leroy (Denise) of Aberdeen; one sister, Judy of Martin and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Peggy; brother-in-law, Alvin and his special companion dog, Pete.

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