Ted Clinton Gillenwater, fondly known as Pooh or Teddy G passed away at the Sheridan VA Medical Center on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Ted was born to Ted Dewitt and Lillian Bernice (Campbell) Gillenwater on June 1, 1936, in Buffalo WY where he joined sisters Anna “Mae” and Dixie Lee. His family moved to Sheridan in 1941 and 5 years later his baby sister Sharon Ann completed their family.

A proud member of the Sheridan High School class of 1955 and a Wyoming State Football Champion (1952) which started his BIG LOVE of football and sports in general. Ted earned a scholarship to play football at Eastern Montana College, Billings MT. He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Wyoming Cowboys, Chicago Cubs, and Colorado Rockies.

Ted married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Sally Lou Yocum at the First Christian Church, Sheridan WY on October 8, 1955, they cherished 57 years of marriage before Sally passed away in 2012. When newly married they lived in Billings MT where Ted played football and attended college. After college Ted enlisted in the US Army and served his tour in Germany, upon his return from the service they moved to Ogden UT for a brief time, then returned to Sheridan where their children Bobby, Kay, and Scott were born.

Ted worked for the US Postal Service for over 30 years, first as a mail carrier and then as the friendly face at the counter where he appeared as Santa on several occasions. In his retirement years, you could find Ted supporting his grandchildren’s sporting events at Sheridan High School and Big Horn High School where he spent many years enjoying swim meets, basketball, football, and volleyball games. He loved traveling to Laramie and Denver for football games and enjoyed walking and caring for family dogs Griz, Bo, Harley, Bella, and Bailey. He and Sally loved their years of traveling with cousins Clint and Charlotte Campbell, friends Barb and Bernie Sare, and Carole Tucker. There were also many summers spent camping and boating at TR Reservoir with the Rasmussen, McVay, and DeBolt families, and dancing to the local band Cruisin and many other bands.

Ted is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kay and Steve Roush (The Villages FL), his son and daughter-in-law Ted “Scott” and Denise Gillenwater (Sheridan WY), Grandchildren Stephanie Roush (Sheridan WY), Stacy (Jess) Holmgren (Harrison NE), Anthony “Tony” (Jamie) Gillenwater (Sheridan WY), Ted “Justin” (Sara) Gillenwater (Sheridan WY), Sean (Jade) Gillenwater (Sheridan WY) David Blakeman (Dayton WY) Taffany (Joel) Hansen (Cody WY), great-grandchildren, Grace, John, Emily and Joseph Holmgren, Amelie, Finn and Riot Gillenwater, Asher and Ryder Hansen, his sister and brother in law Sharon and Harlan Rasmussen, nieces and nephews Wendy Gnehm, Tait Rasmussen, Jeannie Richey, Pricilla Hughes, Dan Babilla and Rebecca Lucas-Bordeau, several cousins including Linda Campbell Jackson.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents Ted and Bernice, his wife Sally, infant son Bobby, siblings Bobby, Mae, and Dixie, nephew Dennis Busby and a special cousin Clint Campbell.

Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Cascades of Sugarland Ridge (Amy & Emily) staff and the Sheridan VA Medical Center for the care he received these past few years.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, Sheridan WY with Pastor Chad Cowan officiating, and a cookie reception to follow in the church foyer.

GIn place of flowers, please consider donating to Sheridan High School Booster Club (1056 Long Drive, Sheridan WY 82801) or Big Horn High School Booster Club (PO Box 204, Big Horn, WY 82833).

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

SheridanMedia.com - Jan. 16, 2024.