Longtime North Dakota Resident Gary Boyer Dies at 80

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Gary Boyer, a lifelong resident of North Dakota, passed away at the age of 80 on March 2, 2026. Boyer had a varied career, first as a high school teacher and principal, and later as the founder of a successful trucking company that he operated until his retirement in 2015. He was remembered as a devoted family man with a passion for hunting, American history, and storytelling.

Why it matters

Boyer's life story reflects the changing economic and social landscape of rural North Dakota over the past several decades. His transition from education to entrepreneurship, and his deep roots in the community, highlight the resilience and adaptability of small-town residents in the face of broader economic shifts.

The details

Gary Boyer was born in 1945 in New Rockford, North Dakota. He taught high school in Casselton and Columbus before becoming a principal. In 1980, he founded his own trucking company, Boyer Truckline, which he operated until retiring in 2015. Boyer was an avid outdoorsman and history enthusiast, and he cherished spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

• Gary Boyer was born on April 16, 1945.
• He met his wife Marlene in a geology class in 1966 and they married in 1969.
• Boyer taught high school in Casselton and Columbus until 1976.
• He founded Boyer Truckline in 1980 and operated it until retiring in 2015.
• Gary Boyer passed away on March 2, 2026 at the age of 80.