Dodge City - Noel Gene Ary, 85, died June 17, 2023 at his home in Dodge City. He was born on July 18, 1937 at Lewis, Kansas the son of John D. Ary and Loraine (Hawley) Ary.

His youth was spent milking cows, bottling and delivering milk, and working on a variety of 4-H projects. He began school in Kinsley, and attended Lewis and Belpre schools before graduating from Lewis High School in 1955.

He attended Pratt Junior College where he received an associate degree in 1957. Noel graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia with a B.S. in education in 1962. He joined the Dodge City school district that fall and taught science at the junior high. In 1967 he moved to Lawrence where he taught high school biology for two years. He then returned to Dodge City and joined the staff of the Kansas Heritage Center in January 1969. Over the years, Noel's talents and propensity for pitching in where needed have taken him through a variety of job titles with USD 443: Kansas Heritage Center Associate Director, Instructional Media Center Media Specialist, Director of Public Information, Audio- Visual Director, Kansas Heritage Center Assistant Director, and Kansas Heritage Center Director/ Coordinator.

In addition to his responsibilities with USD 443, Noel spent 27 summers as a seasonal Ranger Naturalist with the National Park Service. He worked at Yellowstone National Park all but one of those years, and spent the other summer at Grand Teton National Park. Although retired from the park service, he still volunteered his time where ever needed.

Noel married Awyn Barbara Trexler, a home economics teacher at Dodge City Middle School on May 5, 1983. She preceded him in death on September 16, 1999. During their marriage, Noel and Awyn spent many a weekend at Bed and Breakfasts around Kansas and Oklahoma. Excursions to Boiling Springs State Park, Roman Nose State Park, the Omaha Zoo, the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, botanical gardens, and other peaceful places that could be reached on a weekend drive. Noel's camera was never far from his reach.

When Noel retired in May 2000, he resumed his travels and never stopped learning. Noel took several in-field photography seminars to continue to perfect his love to capture on film or pixels, all things nature. He was always really good at catching those casual unstaged people pictures as well. His travels always included some type of destination where he could take pictures of creatures, scenery and skyscapes. You rarely saw Noel in a photograph because he was the one behind the camera.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Greensburg, First United Methodist Church in Dodge City, former member of the Boot Hill Board of Directors, Member of the Shade Tree Commission and Board member of the Ford County Historical Society.

He is survived by one son Barkley Walker and wife Melyssa; three brothers Darrell, Dennis and Max ; three grandchildren Kaylee, Ethan and wife Haleigh. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Loraine; sister Donna; brother Mark; two brother-in-laws Frances and Joe; two Sisters-in-law Phyllis and Carol; two nephews Brad and Greg and one grandson Conner.

Funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday June 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Jerre Nolte presiding. Graveside service will be held at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Hill City at 3:00 PM on  Saturday, June 24, 2023. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Noel Ary Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. The service will be live streamed at youtube.com@First United Methodist Church 7562. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.