Gail Worthy Coe was born November 26, 1918, to Gilbert Worthy and Lulu Mae (Snyder) Coe in a sod house on his parent's homestead near Vernal, SD. He attended grade school at Jones School, which was located 40 miles southwest of Bison, SD. He attended high school at Sorum, SD, as a freshman, and then continued his education at the agriculture school for farm and ranch students in Brooking, SD. He there learned much about ranching, welding and excelled in boxing, as many would find out later!
In 1936, Gail accompanied his father, as they trailed the ranch herd of horses to Valentine, NE, for the winter due to drought conditions in western South Dakota. On return he worked for various ranchers, then followed his sister, Ella and her husband on a fruit picking adventure through Montana and Washington. Wherever he traveled he always competed in rodeos, and he was a consistent winner in both bareback and saddle bronc riding which began as a youth riding his dad's wild horses. He and his brothers were all well-known and good bronc riders. On June 5, 1939, he was united in a 70-year marriage to Gladys Cora Briedenbach in Deadwood, SD, to this union two children were born, Rose Ella, July 5, 1940, and Gary, April 5, 1943.
In 1940, Gail began a trucking business, which spanned years along with owning and operating successful ranching operations and a livestock feed business. He had a reputation of being a top cattle producer. In 1974, Gail won a national carcass competition with his limousine cattle breeding. He began flying in 1944, and became well known through the ranching country for the aerial hunting of coyotes and fox as well as medical rescue for fellow ranchers when needed. In 2006, Gail was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. Gail was well known in rodeo circles as a steer roper and rodeo judge. Everything he did was exceptional because he was very meticulous, to include restoring a 1959 Studebaker pickup that won first place at the annual international Studebaker Drivers Club, meet in 1983.
Gail Worthy Coe, 102, formerly of Sturgis, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2021.
Gail is survived by his daughter, Rose Ella (Dave) Roach of Hawaii; son, Gary (Sandee) Coe of SD; six grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; two nephews: Vernon and Wayne Coe.
Gail is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; parents, Gilbert and Lulu; one sister; and four brothers.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at Bear Butte cemetery.

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