Sheepmen lost a staunch supporter with the passing of Gary Babb, 72, into the care of his Shepherd, after losing his battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at the Austin Auditorium in Newell with Rev. Marcia Brennan officiating. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Born October 3, 1941, to Alvin "Buster" and Linda (Sundstrom) Babb in Sturgis, South Dakota, he was the only son, "sandwiched" between sisters, Diana and Bonnie.

Raised on the family homestead northeast of Newell, South Dakota, he gained a love of open spaces, sheep, and cattle that remained throughout his life.

He was a graduate of Newell High School, where he played softball, football (won 15 straight games but lost tournament championship) and basketball, winning the All-Conference Championship. In 1968, after high school, he played softball, winning the SD State Softball Championship.

After graduation, he married Beverly Richards, a union which produced four children. They later divorced.

From raising livestock with his father, shearing throughout the western states, being both a field man and manager of wool warehouses in Salt Lake City (Utah Wool Marketing Association and the Wool Shed) and Belle Fourche, South Dakota (Mid-States Wool and Center-of-the-Nation Wool) and, finally, back to the ranch, most of his life involved sheep. He had a special love for shearers (hard-working men with strong backs), and was a first-class shearer himself, winning contests in various areas.

While working for Utah Wool Marketing Association, he met Lawren Leslie, whom he married in 1980. They remained married until the time he died.

Preceded in death by his parents; a baby son; son, Brian Leslie; grandson, Brian Austin Day; and granddaughter, Christina Gordon.

Survived by his wife, Lawren; children (alphabetically), Bradley (Gina) Babb, David Brett (LynnAnn) Day, Liana (Kevin) Gordon, Lissa (Bob) Moeller, and "adopted" daughter Carol (John) Weirum; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Diana (Ron) Glover, and Bonnie Lange; and mother-in-law, Mae H. Doom.

He loved God, family, and his work, and lived a good life. He believed in giving 100 % in everything he did, and his passing leaves a big hole in all our lives. He was truly one of the "good guys".

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newell or Mud Butte Fire Departments.