The Alliance says “good-bye” to a generous and exemplary man
On Monday, May 30, Gilman Ordway passed away at his home at Fish Creek Ranch, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was 97 years old.
Gil was a caring and humble man who moved to Jackson Hole in the early 1950s after purchasing 40 acres of land in what is now Fish Creek Ranch. He became an early leader of the Jackson Hole Land Trust and helped preserve thousands of acres in the valley through conservation easements throughout the years.
“I didn’t want to see a golf course or a huge development,” said Gil in a 1989 interview to the News & Guide regarding the conservation easement of his Fish Creek ranch. “It gave me pleasure [to know] 100 years from now the place would look reasonably the same.”
In addition to his involvement and accomplishments with the Land Trust, Gilman was a generous supporter of many other local nonprofits, including the Alliance where he sat on the Board of Directors. He was a donor of PAWS JH, and the Teton County Library, where the Ordway Auditorium is named after him, to name just a few of the causes he supported.
The Alliance is saddened by the passing of this great friend, and long-time supporter who lived an exemplary life, leading by example. His contributions to our community will be felt and appreciated for years and enjoyed by future generations.
Jackson Hole will miss Gilman Ordway, greatly.