Gerry D. Strom, an
amazing man and
friend to many, passed
away unexpectedly on
Monday, December 7,
2015 at St Luke's Hospital
in Denver CO. He
was 56 years old. Gerry
is survived by his sister,
Jeanette Strom and her
husband Bob Holmes.
Although he rarely
showed it, Gerry had not
been in good health for
quite some time, and
had seen many specialists
in an attempt to
understand and recover
from this mystery. He
was admitted to Saint
Joseph Hospital in
Denver, Colorado on
November 25, 2015
and diagnosed with
"amyloidosis", a rare
blood disorder. During
a medical procedure on
December 7, Gerry went
into cardiac arrest and
did not recover.
Gerry was born in
Laramie, Wyoming on
April 27, 1959. He was
raised on a sheep ranch
on the outskirts of Laramie
and graduated from
Laramie High School in
1977.
Growing up, Gerry had
many friends and was
involved in 4H, played
baseball, and enjoyed
cars. Over time, Gerry's
true love became Bull
Riding. He always said
his friends were his
family! He loved his
dogs Deacon Blues and
Butkus,
After attending a real
estate seminar he began
buying rental properties
in Laramie and
maintained a successful
property management
company there.
During the late 1980's,
a persistent cough developed
while working
construction in Colorado.
A visit to doctors
in Laramie resulted in
the removal of one of
his lungs, ostensibly for
cancer and changed
him forever.
When not riding bulls,
he worked drilling water
wells and in construction.
Gerry owned and
operated Specialty Roofing
in Laramie through
1993, He later moved
to Palmer Lake, Colorado
and was a partner
in Specialty Homes
through 2002. Everyone
respected his work
ethic, responsibility and
skill.
Through Bull Riders
Only, Gerry helped grow
televised bull riding and
was as at ease with the
riders as he was with the
"suits". While traveling
with Bull Riders Only in
Brazil he fell in love with
the country and the
people. Gerry traveled
to Brazil as often as he
could and had plans to
live out his years there.
Over the last decade
Gerry spent countless
hours working cattle
and riding his horse
Jake on Noe's Eagle
Mountain Ranch north
of Palmer Lake. He held
others to a very high
standard and inspired
them to live up to it, and
was also able to forgive
even when others could
not. His integrity and
honesty could not be
impeached. Those who
were privileged to know
him are better people
for it.
Until the last day he
retained his warm and
bright smile and quiet
nature bravely taking
each step as it came and
always thanking those
caring for him. Gerry
will be remembered
for his integrity, his
commitment to doing
the right thing, and
his warm and genuine
smile which captivated
everyone that he met.