Gary Lee Daggett

May 3, 1945 - December 24, 2020

Gary Lee Daggett, 75, of Fort Collins CO, passed away on December 24, 2020. Gary was born in New Richmond, Wisconsin on May 3, 1945 to Marjorie Lucille (Peterson) and Allan Lemoine Daggett. As a young boy his family moved to Anoka, Minnesota where he gained a love for the outdoors. Gary graduated Anoka High School in 1963 before his family moved to Arvada, CO in 1965. Gary married Margaret Louise Short and made Fort Collins their home in 1967. They welcomed daughter Jessica Leigh Daggett in 1976. As a teenager working summers for his uncle’s construction company, Gary learned the value of craftsmanship. He went on to have wide-ranging interests and jobs early in life. He worked as a fine menswear salesman, tree trimmer, trophy maker, home builder, surveyor, draftsman, and even contributed to the construction of I-70 through Denver West. He had a remarkable ability to teach himself how to do just about anything. Gary later went on to become a project manager for Colorado State University’s facilities department and oversaw the construction and renovation of many buildings on campus. He also taught drafting at Voc-Tech (now Front Range Community College). Gary was always inquisitive and an avid reader. He enjoyed fine woodworking, hunting, fishing, hiking and skiing. He studied Native American culture and made bows, knives, moccasins and black powder guns. He loved riding motorcycles and had many over the years including dirt bikes, Harley Davidsons, and an Indian Chief. He had a soft spot for his many cats, his dog Chester, and animals of all kinds. The trip of his lifetime was hunting in Alaska, where the river and grizzlies nearly got the best of him and his friend Dave. But an ideal day might just be a ride through the Colorado mountains on his Indian motorcycle followed by a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate malt. He is remembered as a loving and adoring father, and a gentle man of few words but great intellect, humor, and wisdom. Gary is survived by his daughter Jessica and ex-wife Margaret of Fort Collins, CO; extended relatives of his uncle Owen Christiansen; and friends and former colleagues. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Candace Jo Daggett, aunts Geneva Marie Peterson Christiansen (Owen) and Donna E Peterson. No memorial service will be held at this time. If you wish to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests Larimer Humane Society, Lewy Body Dementia Association, or Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples.