Gary Parry Ward was born in Malad, Idaho on April 1, 1956, to George Parry and Marilyn Ann Ward. He died of natural causes in his Salt Lake City home on December 20, 2021.
Gary was always mechanically minded. Before he graduated from high school, he had built a radio and was hired by a local company to help his father repair farm machinery.
Gary attended Malad High School, graduating in 1974. After that, Gary worked various jobs earning money to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He entered the mission home May 1, 1976, and served in the Louisville, Kentucky Mission.
Gary attended Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University) and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. He graduated in June 1984. While there, he was an electronics medalist at the Utah State VICA competition. He went on to represent Utah at the National Skills Olympics in Atlanta, GA, where he took third place in the area of radio and television. Two years later, Gary participated in the Utah Skill Olympics and was the gold medal winner in electronics products servicing. He went on to compete in the National Skill Olympics held in Louisville, KY.
After graduation from college, Gary worked in the computer center at the College of Eastern Utah (now Utah State University Eastern); as an Electronic Tech and Mechanic for Purolator Filters; as an Electronics Tech and Programmer for Precision Automation; and he recently retired from Weir Specialty Pumps working as a Computer Numeric Control Tech.
Gary was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and willingly served in callings which included Stake Technology Specialist, Ward Bulletin Specialist and Finance Clerk.
Gary enjoyed home cooked meals, hiking, geocaching, electronics and repair, and new age music. He was in the process of moving back to the country and his childhood home in Cherry Creek, Idaho.
Gary had a close relationship with his mother. He was her confidant and fix-it man, and she was his best friend and ‘safe port in the storm’. They enjoyed many happy times together. Gary also enjoyed time spent with his siblings and their families.
Gary was preceded in death by his father in 1979 and mother in 2005. Gary is survived by 4 siblings: Steven (Cindy) Ward; Julie (Gordon) Heaton; Teresa (Brad) Ellis; and Michelle (Brent) Richardson.
We will all miss our ‘Gare Bear’—his hugs, laugh and love.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2021, at 11:00 am in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Malad 5th Ward Chapel located at 20 South 100 West, Malad, Idaho. Interment will take place in the Malad City Cemetery.
Services will be live streamed and can be viewed live here: https://youtu.be/EXksUT1o52c
My deeply-felt condolences. I was blessed to grow up with Gary, and to attend college with him. Our loss is heaven’s gain of a wonderful brother in Christ.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you find peace and comfort during this difficult times. Hugs❤️
I did not know Gary but I knew his mother and her family. My father was Merlin Jones who was Gary's grandfathers brother. My sister Trudy Wood has gotten to know some in Gary's family. Just looking at Gary's smile shows the love in his heart.
Gary was such a great neighbor. We were in the Rose Park First Ward together and he was always willing to come and help out on welfare assignments and work projects. I really enjoyed my association with him and visiting with him and will miss him.
I have the fondest memories of Gary and Steve in Malad as kids. They had fun showing this city girl (Pocatello) what country fun was. There was always fun to be had sliding down haystacks, running through chicken coops and just wracking fun havoc. It seems like yesterday but it was 50 plus years ago. Gary was always such a good person through and through. He will be missed by so many. Sending Love 💕
Teresa, Michelle, Steve, Julie and families, I have put this off until I can’t any longer. It’s impossible to put these feelings into words.
In 1982 a southern girl was welcomed and embraced into the warmth of the Ward family, even though they didn’t understand her language. Even though I didn’t have the opportunity to really spend much time in Gary’s presence since he was in the far away land of Utah I came to know him through the other family members. Know that my heart has been breaking along with yours during this past month for your great unexpected loss. And I am rejoicing with you in knowing that he is with your parents and other loved ones. He must be truly invigorated with his mind trying to take all the knowledge in as fast as possible with everything new that surrounds him. I am grateful to have been blessed with knowing Gary and being a unofficial adopted part of the Ward family.
I wish I could be there tomorrow in person with you but know that I will be online for the Service.
My family and I will continue to hold you in our thoughts, hearts and prayers!!