Gary Paul Oram

Gary Paul Oram, 59, a lifelong resident, farmer and rancher near Devils Lake, passed away three miles south of Devils Lake on September 21, 2018 while hauling cattle.

Gary was born to Helmer and Pearl (Tucker) Oram on December 30, 1958. He lived and worked his entire life on the family farm at Six Mile Bay. He began farming the land and ranching at age 15, just 4 years after his father died. He graduated from Devils Lake Central High in 1977 and took diesel mechanical classes at Lake Region Junior College.

Gary enjoyed raising all kinds of animals. Even as a youngster, he took pride in researching and choosing the optimal breeding stock for his cattle operation. He not only cared for his own cattle, but did cattle contract work as well.

As a farmer he learned how to be very handy and could tackle any project large or small, be it welding or mechanical. He operated heavy equipment like they were an extension of his hands. He did some tinkering with carpentry work helping others also building a couple cabins that during the flood provided homes for three different families for extended periods of time. He would visualize and then carry through with projects much like he did with Bayview Resort when he planned its layout and then helped to develop it.

Gary was a very hard worker but occasionally when he was able to find time away from the everyday tasks of farming and ranching, he enjoyed looking through old cookbooks and trying new recipes. He liked to garden and read – especially westerns and he was very knowledgeable about biblical history.

At a young age, Gary came to know Jesus as his personal Savior. As a child he was active in Sunday School and attended Lakewood Bible Camp. He especially enjoyed a trip he took with the Royal Ranger teenage church group to Idaho.

Gary was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed seeing his nephews play hockey and football along with following professional basketball, baseball and football teams. He was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt and invited many other hunters to enjoy his land. He liked playing cards and hanging out with friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Peder and Gjertina (Eidum) Oram, Lawson and Mellie (Sailor) Tucker; father Helmer Oram, mother Pearl (Tucker) Oram, sister Judy Harveland, nephew Steve Verville, brothers-in-law Archie Harveland and Marden Holden, along with many aunts and uncles. He is survived by sisters Connie (Gary) Verville, of Devils Lake, ND Nancy Holden, Solway, MN Tammy (John) Hornbacher Harvey, ND, nieces Roxanne (Chris) Zurn, Moorhead, MN and Heather Holden, Solway, MN nephew Jeremiah Hornbacher, Harvey, ND and several great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral Services for Gary will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with Reverend Kevin Anderson, Pastor, River of Life Assembly of God Church officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Thursday one hour prior to the funeral service.