GARY CAMMACK
VISIONARY AGRICULTURALIST AND STATESMAN
1953 • CATEGORY AGRICULTURE
• HOMETOWN UNION CENTER, SD •
NOMINATED BY DON NORTON
When high school sweethearts, Gary Cammack and Amy Gossard married in 1972, they shared a lofty goal - owning their own ranch. “Being born and raised on ranches, the desire to have a ranch of our own was definitely in our blood,” explained Gary, a fourthgeneration Meade County rancher. Three of his great-grandfathers homesteaded in the area. The Cammacks began the journey to ranch ownership with nothing but a strong work ethic, faith, and the determination to succeed. Shortly after they married, the couple purchased the Stoneville General Store. “It was the kind of place where you sold gas, groceries, livestock salt, beer, diamond rings just about everything.”
8 • 2021 HONORS CEREMONY
Looking back, Gary says even though neither he nor Amy had prior business experience, they were able to succeed because of two key factors. “We like our customers, and we have a passion for solving ranchers’ problems.” While growing the business, Gary worked construction full-time while Amy managed the store. In 1976, Amy continued managing the business while Gary went to work on the Alaskan pipeline. Their oldest son, Scott, was 8-months-old at the time. Gary credits Amy’s can-do attitude and support for their success in family, business, ranching, and his ability to serve South Dakotans as a state senator. “I have said numerous times, a successful rancher should never own more cows than his wife can feed. In all seriousness, without Amy here, managing the store and ranch - it wouldn’t have been possible.”
