Gary Gaston moved to the Denver area from Kansas with his family. He attended Adams State College and graduated from there w/ a degree in Music Education. After teaching two years in Richmond, VA where he was director for the Henrico County Schools, he and his wife Judy returned to Adams State where he received his masters in Music Education. He met his wife Judy while 1st attending Adams State College. They where married for many years. She proceeds him in death. He enjoyed a successful career as a band director for over 30 years with the Monte Vista School Dist. Many of those years where filled with award winning accomplishments including major competitions over bands from Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico as well as the regional bands throughout Colorado! Taking 1 st place in the CU Band Day, the Colorado Bandmasters Regional Marching Band competition, and being one of the only small bands ever to be asked to march at a Denver Bronco’s Game ~ just to mention a few on the marching band side. Then there is the concert band side where they consistently scored 1 st place against their peers. To not be out dun, where his numerous jazz bands that consistently entertained, amazed, and ranked in the number one spot not only as a band but also in the individual horn sections. These kind of achievements where common place right up until his retirement.
Gary was one of the founding members of SLV Big Band. He played in and Directed this 18 plus jazz band until his eye sight could no longer read the music. He also enjoyed playing in his sax quartet that he founded to have something to do in retirement.
He was a devout Catholic attending both the Alamosa and Monte Vista Parish.
Gary was a long time member of the Pearlakes Trout club where he and his wife loved to retreat to when they weren’t busy with some school activity. Gary loved the outdoors. He was an avid sports man, liking to hunt, fish, ski, and snowmobile. Gary was a long time sponsor of the high school ski club. One of this true love’s that he shared with wife Judy was golf. He was an avid golfer even “going south” to golf in those cold winter months.
Gary is survived by his niece Brenda (Clay) Holcomb (San Antonio, TX), niece Debra Lickteig (San Antonio) , niece Jamie (Jeremy) Cox (Albuquerque, NM), His dog Buster and all of the thousands of kids that he had and impression on in his short 76 years.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday October 26, 2015 at the Central Auditorium in Monte Vista. Please join with us to celebrate Gary's life and at his request the Queen City Jazz Band from Denver will be playing at the service. A light meal will follow the service. Contributions are suggested to the Adams State Foundation and designated to the Gaston Memorial Scholarship.
For additional information, please contact Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista.

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