Alan Eugene Garey, 69, died peacefully in his sleep October 14, 2025, at his home in Garden City, Kansas. He was born August 30, 1956, in Sublette, Kansas, to Melvin and Melba Garey of Big Bow, Kansas.

Alan attended grade school in Big Bow, Kansas, until 1970 and graduated with the Johnson High School class in 1974. Following high school, he attended Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, where he earned an Associate’s degree in Ag business in 1976.

After graduation from GCCC, Alan returned to Big Bow, where he built his own home. He returned to farming with his dad, Melvin, on the family farm – something he had enjoyed doing since he was 10-years old.

A blind date instigated in 1986 by his good friends Tom and Cheryl Billings resulted in him meeting the love of his life, Sharon Wallace, who was a cousin of Cheryl’s. The couple had their first date in February 1986. Sharon said Alan appeared very nervous. His nerves improved, however, and the two were engaged by July that same year. The two were married October 4, 1986, in Springfield, Colorado. They made their first home in a house that once belonged to Alan’s parents near Big Bow, where Alan, with Sharon by his side, continued farming with his parents for several years before they began farming on their own. His life was farming on the farm with his dad. The couple purchased their first home together in 1990, in Ulysses.

They completed their family on their wedding anniversary, October 4, 2001, when their son, Dustin Alan Garey was born. The family moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, in 2007, where Alan worked for NAPA for a time and considered opening his own NAPA store. Later he worked for Community Access, working with clients who had mental and physical disabilities.

The couple moved back to Stanton County, Kansas, in 2012. Alan worked as a meter technician for Teeter Irrigation and later Western Kansas Irrigation, both in Ulysses.

In his spare time, Alan enjoyed hunting, reloading, shooting and martial arts. He introduced Sharon to trap shooting.

He was a member of Farm Bureau, Pheasants Forever and Flying Farmers of America. At one time he had a pilot’s license. In his youth, he was a member of the Boy Scouts where he eventually earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was able to go on a canoe trip in Alaska. A trip he talked about for years.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home in Garden City; a son, Dustin, Garden City; sisters: Rita Garey, Garden City, and Linda (Joel) Nicholas, Johnson, Kan.; sisters-in-law: Nancy Kletecka, Guymon, Oklahoma, Vhonda (Gary) Longacre, Lawton, Oklahoma, and Kelley Wells, Guymon, Oklahoma; brothers-in-law: Veldon (Lora) Wallace, Muleshoe, Texas, and Vaughn (Jessica) Wallace, Fort Worth, Texas; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Melba Garey; father-in-law, Norval Wallace; brother-in-law, Mike Kletecka; niece, Cassidy Longacre; his grandparents, several aunts, uncles and other family members.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate monetary gifts to help with funeral expenses in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.