SALT LAKE CITY -- Gary George Kunz died Saturday, November 4, 2006, in the VA Health Care Center. Gary was astoundingly brave and resilient in his struggle with diabetes over the last several years. Born March, 4, 1934, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to George S. and Edith B. Kunz, he was the fourth of seven children. Gary grew up on the Kunz family homestead in Bern, Idaho, where as the oldest boy in the family he worked hard to help keep life moving on the farm.

He served an LDS mission in the Missouri/Wisconsin area for two years. Gary joined the Army on March 20, 1957, and served as a heavy weapons infantryman until he was honorably discharged later the next year to return home, where he was needed to help support his family.

In 1969 he met and married his wife, Kathy, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. His son, Clint, was born the next year, and daughter, Vicky, 18 months later. They lived many years in Bern before moving to Montpelier, where he worked in the mines above Soda Springs. In 1989 he moved to Salt Lake City, and spent many of those years working as a security guard keeping an eye on many of the state’s office buildings. He retired in 2004.

Gary was an avid sportsman, he spent his entire life hunting and fishing; he enjoyed both activities immensely, and he had mastered them both. Gary always looked forward to the opening day of the deer hunt above the hills of Bern, or fishing at Little Valley Reservoir with whomever would make the trip with him.

He was a consummate provider for his family, and he placed them and his responsibilities to them above all else.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, one infant brother, Douglas Ray, two sisters, Betty Jo Hyman and Barbara Ann Otteson, and a son, Craig Young. Surviving are his wife, Kathy, of Magna, Utah; sister, Gereldene Longenbohn and husband, Don, of Pocatello, Idaho; brother, R. Kent, and wife, Barbie, of La Quinta, Calif.; brother ,Roger L. and wife, Judy, of Pocatello, Idaho; son, Clint, and wife, Joanna of San Diego, Calif.; daughter, Vicky Ford, and husband, Billy of Salt Lake City; daughter, Valerie Turner and grandchildren, Lila and Jordan, of Magna.

The memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Spencer Sixth LDS Ward, located at 8181 Breeze Drive in Magna, Utah. He will be laid to rest in the Afton City Cemetery in Afton, Wyo., near some of his family, and close to one of the many rivers that he and his father fished while he was growing up; the graveside dedication will be held on Friday, November 10 at 2 p.m. at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate any memorial funds in his name to the VA Hospice Fund in Memory of Gary Kunz, VA Hospital, Attn.: Hospice Fund Mail Code 122, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84148.

We would like to thank all of the staff of the VA Hospital for their help and support over the past few years, and especially over the last few days of his life.

Arrangements are by Deseret Memorial Mortuary in Salt Lake City, Utah.