Gary Victor Arnold

Garry Victor Arnold (Gary) died peacefully in his sleep on February 13, 2026, at the age of 70, in Leader, Saskatchewan after a three-year battle with cancer.

A veteran of Vietnam, Gary never knew the word “quit”. He was known and respected as an exceptionally hard worker with a deeply kind heart. His determination and tenacity left those around him both awed and exasperated on a regular basis. Gary had a great sense of humour, constantly teasing his loved ones, especially Wendy Webb, his partner of 20 years. Gary was devoted to Wendy, their herd of Quarter Horses, and their family.

Gary was born in Port Angeles, Washington. Over the course of his life, he would live in numerous places along the West Coast in both USA and Canada, as well as the Interior of BC and Northern BC, before eventually finding himself on the prairies of Southwest Saskatchewan. Growing up on the coast, he naturally developed a love of fishing. He told stories of his time chartering with his wooden-hulled boat, the “Pacific Dawn”, travelling the Pacific shores and watching the orcas. Gary spent over 13 years living and logging among the Gitwangak First Nation where he worked to earn yuugwilatxw (access and privileges to their territories), listening to the adaawk (oral histories) from Hereditary Chief Yal (George Turner) of the Killer Whale/Fireweed Clan. It was here a passion for Indigenous rights was sparked.

Over the course of his 25+ year career in forestry, Gary worked with the Gitwangak First Nation, Upper Nicola Band, Lower Nicola Band, and Ulkatcho First Nation to secure logging tenure, ignite First Nations logging initiatives, and advocate for First Nations rights at the Provincial and Federal levels. He was incredibly proud of his role on the team that established Predictive Ecosystem Modelling (PEM) - a framework for sustainable forestry management that linked science and cultural Indigenous knowledge. In 2003 he represented the interests of the Upper Nicola Band as part of a delegation to China, an experience which left a lasting impression.

No matter where he found himself, Gary was always willing to roll up his sleeves, work long hours, and fight for what he believed in. He became a cook and later restaurant manager; a logger and then forestry manager; a boat captain (Limited Masters Certificate), farmhand, rancher, horse breeder and butcher. He knew an array of sailors' knots and had a magical ability to pack and tie what seemed an impossible amount and variety of items. When moving from BC to Saskatchewan with Wendy, he loaded eighty pine logs onto their flatbed trailer, surmounted by their household furnishings, boxes and totes.

In 2014 Gary began what he affectionately referred to as his “do-over” when he moved out to Saskatchewan with Wendy, and together they established Prairie Silver Quarter Horses. They bred the first Black Silver Quarter Horse born in Canada, lovingly developed their three-acre property, and worked together to create something that was uniquely theirs. Gary could do anything with a chain saw, loved to garden, and had impressive DIY skills - building a massive greenhouse for Wendy out of reclaimed wood and second-hand windows. Gary loved to cook for the family and was the official Chef for all holiday meals.

Gary’s last years were marked by a three-year battle with cancer. Despite a prognosis of six months, he was determined to fight as hard as he could for as long as he could. And he did just that. It was a difficult time for Gary and Wendy, but it was shaped by their complete devotion to and love for one another. A close friend of the family once asked Gary, “You seem happy here, but do you miss the trees?” He said, “When I think about it, I miss the trees, but I don’t think about it. I am here and I have Wendy.”

Gary is predeceased by his parents Gerald Arnold and Dorothy (nee Russell) and brothers Jerry and Tommy.

He is survived by his partner Wendy Webb, children Andrea Mackenzie, Jenney Arnold, Andrea Webb (Jade Jensen), Connor MacDonald (Carlee Florek), and grandchildren Anjali, Freyja, Kingston, Maddison, Amanda, Cayleigh, Brandon, and Keira.

A private Celebration of Life will be held in the summer at a later date.

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