Obituary: Gary Morlock

Gary Morlock

Gary W. Morlock, 80, of Bismarck, N.D., passed away on October 10, 2023, at Edgewood Memory Care in Bismarck, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Bismarck Funeral Home with Rev. Lee Herberg officiating. Burial was held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bismarck. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Gary was born January 28, 1943, in Carrington, N.D., to Rudy and Susie Morlock.

It was at the Rainbow Gardens dance hall in Carrington where Gary met the love of his life, Catherine (Kay) Gross. Gary and Kay married in 1962, and together raised their two boys, Wayne and Wade.

In 1968, Gary and Kay moved to Sidney, Montana, where they lived until 1995. Gary worked as a heavy equipment operator for Pederson Construction until 1974 when he was asked to become a partner. At that time it became Pederson Morlock Construction, Inc.

In 1980, Gary bought the business in its entirety and the name became Gary Morlock Construction, Inc. It was during this time that he was "wasting too much daylight" driving from jobsite to jobsite that he got his pilot's license and bought a helicopter. He was then able to deliver parts and check on each crew more than once a day.

In 1995, work brought Gary and Kay to Bismarck where they made their home until his death.

Gary was a tremendously hard worker and incredibly smart. He could fix anything and was always willing to help others. Gary enjoyed doing many projects for Ducks Unlimited, and he was especially proud of his last big project, which was doing the dirt work for a dairy in Carrington.

When Gary was not working with his son, Wayne, in Bismarck, he was working in Arizona with his other son, Wade. And, when he wasn't working (which was rare!), Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding ATVs with friends in Arizona. He had the best of both worlds dividing his time between his two sons and their families. Gary was truly cherished by his family.

Gary is survived by his wife, Kay, Bismarck; two sons, Wayne (Shawn) Morlock, Bismarck, and Wade (Tina) Morlock, Peoria, Ariz.; grandchildren, Cassandra (Kevin) Keller, Bismarck, Abbie (Austin) Steiner, Lincoln, Neb., and Delanie Morlock, Glendale, Ariz.; great-grandchildren, Claire Keller and James Keller, Bismarck; his brothers, Ronnie (Colleen) Morlock, Bismarck, Bradley (Gail) Morlock, Powell, Wyo., and Monte (Tammy) Morlock, Rock Springs, Wyo.; sister, Tammy Neal (Dennis Hall), Oroville, Calif. and many nieces and nephews.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Rodger and Keith and sister, Diane.

Gary's family would like to give a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Edgewood Memory Care who affectionately called him "Gar-bear" and loved him like their own.

Arrangements by Bismarck Funeral Home and Crematory, Bismarck, N.D.