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GARY ROSS PLAYTER
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
GARY ROSS PLAYTER
Gary “Ross” Playter was born on September 18, 1942, in New Westminster, BC, to Ross and Mary Playter. His parents both served in the military during WWII; his father making the ultimate sacrifice. After the Red River Flood of 1950 in Manitoba, he came to live with his paternal grandparents, Earl and Violet Playter, in Moosehorn, Manitoba.
After graduating from high school, he became a teacher, instructing at various institutions throughout Manitoba. He eventually joined Brandon University in the Business Administration Department, which he helped to develop. He retired from BU in 2006 after a long career as an educator.
In 1964, he married Mary Elizabeth Anderson and together they had a daughter, Andrea Katherine born in 1965 and a son, Jason James born in 1967. In 1975, Ross & Betsy moved their small family to the little town of Rapid City where they enjoyed country living until their children were grown.
In 1971, he joined the 26th Field Artillery Regiment (RCA) in Brandon, serving evenings, weekends, and summers until his retirement as Lieutenant Colonel & CO in 1989. He took great pride in his service and in the lasting friendships formed during those years.
Ross loved all sports but particularly baseball and often told the story of losing his teeth as a catcher in his youth. He was very politically active and involved in his community, always willing to lend a helping hand. At the family cabin on Lake Manitoba, he earned the nickname “Princess Auto” for his reputation of having and loaning tools whenever they were needed.
Following a life well-lived, he leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Betsy; his children, Andrea and Jason; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 28, 2026