Gary Lewis Klumker, age 84 from Sandy, Utah passed away peacefully in Murray, Utah on February 21, 2023.
Gary was born on April 18, 1938, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Lewis and Ada Anderson Klumker. He married Linda Rae Laughlin in the Logan Temple in Logan, Utah.
He attended and graduated as a scholar athlete from West High School (SLC, UT) where he excelled in football, basketball, and track & field. Accepted a scholarship from the University of Utah and graduated with his Bachelors in Political Science and Economics, and earned a Ph.D. from Brigham Young University in Medieval History.
His hobbies include reading, reading, reading, learning, music, travel, telling jokes, woodworking, eating hamburgers (aka “Nature’s most favorite fruit”), cooking, playing the piano, caring for dogs, and reading.
Gary served a full-time LDS mission in Germany. Shared his talents in various callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Retired from the Church Education System (CES) after serving in various positions over 35 years including Seminary and Institute Educator in Springville, UT; Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan); Torrance, CA (El Camino College; USC; UCLA; Cal State Fullerton; and Cypress, CA College.
Survived by: His wife Linda Rae Klumker of 60 years of marriage, Sister - MaryLinda Thomas 4 children: Jeffrey Andrew Klumker, Jared Lewis Klumker, Jennifer Lynn (Klumker) Allen, and Jonathan Gary Klumker. Grandchildren: (15 total) Jaimie, Justin, Jacob, Jenna, Camilla, Kennedy, Kyle, Luna, Aubrey, James, Julia, Aiden, Brandon, Nathan, Rachel, Great-Grandchildren: (11 total) Sailor, Hadley, Kamryn, Grayson, Callie, Emmett, Maxwell, Ren, Julian, Dane, Lakelyn. Preceded in death by His mother and father - Lewis and Ada Klumker; sisters Eileen Wilkinson, and Dorthy Huntsman.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on, Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Hidden Valley 3rd Ward, 11755 South 2000 East, Sandy, UT. Viewings will be held on Friday, February 24 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) Sandy, UT 84092 from the hours of 6-8 pm and viewing at Church from 10:00 – 10:45 am prior to funeral Services.
I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Gary passing away! Please know that the whole Klumker family are in our thoughts and prayers. I wish were not so far away in North Carolina, but we will see the funeral via Zoom. I could not have asked for a better uncle. He has always been a great inspiration in my life.
With much love,
Andrew, Sarah and family
Dear Linda,
I'm so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was such a wonderful man (as you are a woman). I'm just sorry that we've missed spending time together over the years. The four of us have such a lot in common. I've missed you. I've been bedridden about 90% of the time for over the past 15 years and Gary has dementia. When you are feeling up to it I would love to talk to you. My number is 801 995-8832. The Lord bless you.
Love you lots, Donna
My favorite memory of Uncle Gary was when he & Aunt Linda were at LDS Hospital waiting room while Dad was in shock/trauma ICU. He saw a man alone crying & without hesitation went & sat down next to him, spoke softly & calmly to him, and within minutes was holding his hands. You were an amazing human.
I am so sorry for your loss! I wish I could have attended the funeral in person, but blessed to be able to watch it on zoom! Gary was such a great guy and I am grateful to be his cousin! He will be missed!
So sorry to hear about Gary! I knew him from Cypress, CA when I was a kid and we were in the same ward. He always made me smile and was always joking about something. He will be missed by many. Sending love to Linda and the rest of his family!
What a great person Gary was! We wish Linda and your family our heartfelt condolences for your loss. We've enjoyed your friendship for many years and loved associating with Gary with his kindness and friendliness. Soar with the angels Gary! Love, Celia and Frank Cutler