1935 ~ 2026
Saturday Jan 31, 2026: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Saturday Jan 31, 2026: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Saturday Jan 31, 2026: 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Gary Elden Gottfredson passed away peacefully on January 23, after a sudden illness. He was 90 years old.
Gary was born on April 7, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Elden Gottfredson and Sarah Esmarelda Boulton Gottfredson. A proud Utah native, Gary was a lifelong Utah man, deeply rooted in his faith, family, and community.
Gary attended South High School and the University of Utah, where he became a devoted alumnus and hard core Utah Utes fan. He served a mission; then known as the West Central States Mission, covering Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. He made lasting memories of the people he served. His faith in God was unwavering and evident in how he lived, served and loved.
He married the love of his life, Carolyn Aagard, on June 24, 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised three children in the Willow Creek area. Gary and Carolyn enjoyed traveling together and making memories with their adventures. Carolyn would plan every detail and Gary would tag along enjoying every minute. And to those who knew him well, Gary was never far from his beloved Diet Coke, a small joy he unapologetically enjoyed.
Gary had a strong work ethic and had started working at the age of 12. After they married, Carolyn taught school, Gary worked for a packaging company, PCA. After PCA, Gary built a bakery, Donuts, Incorporated. With a second mortgage on his home, he learned the business from the ground up. He went from hoping to make 500 donuts a day to producing 1000’s of dozens of donuts a day. Eventually buying the well known Utah name of Dunford Bakers. Each of his children and some of his grandchildren worked with him at the Bakery. His oldest son, Eric, worked with him at the bakery, until Gary retired in 2015. He was 80 years young.
An adventurer at heart, Gary had a passion for the open road, paved, dirt or sand. Whether behind the wheel of a classic car or riding his motorcycle, he lived by the motto: Live to ride, ride to live. Gary was a man of precision and detail. His garage was meticulously organized for any needed tinkering. He would design parts for his cars and motorcycles to improve how it worked or looked.
Gary is survived by his wife, Carolyn Gottfredson; his children Eric (Cindy) Gottfredson, Bryan (Michelle) Gottfredson, and Laura (Dave) DeLeeuw; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward his legacy of faith, kindness, and quiet strength.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elden and Marelda Gottfredson, and his sisters Glenna Steele, LaVern Steele, and Melba Oliverson.
Gary will be deeply missed and remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and friend; an adventurer in life, steadfast in faith, and generous in spirit.
Live to ride. Ride to live.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, at 12:00 noon at the South Mountain 8th Ward, 1911 E. Gray Fox Dr., Draper, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, Utah.
A livestream of the funeral services can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" tab at the top of the obituary.
Sending all our love and prayers.
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Our hearts are with you all at this tender time.
If, well when I leave this planet, I hope I can be remembered the way that Gary is now. I was lucky enough to know him over a lot of years by my association with Dunford Bakery. I was just proud to have my name associated with the excellent company he and John created. It was no small task. Talk about resurrecting a business from ashes! I remember making chocolate doughnuts at the bakery on 9th & 9th, never knowing how big it would become. When I left, and started working for Westco, I was always proud of dealing with John and Gary. They were exactly what a good customer could be. More that a business associate, Gary was just a great person. The bakery world, no, THE world will miss a genuinely GOOD MAN.
Uncle Gary and Aunt Carolyn with Eric, Brian, and Laura have always been cherished family that we don't visit with enough. We celebrate Uncle Gary's life and happily anticipate our reunion when we get to meet with our family beyond this earthly vail.
Love Bart & Sheri.