Gary Patrick FitzSimmons

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - Gary Patrick FitzSimmons, 60, of Idaho Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Gary was born Feb. 13, 1954, in Wolf Point to Gene FitzSimmons and Patricia Neutgens. He grew up and attended schools in Wolf Point and graduated from Wolf Point High School.

On Nov. 8, 1975, he married the love of his life, JoLynn Sokoloski in Circle. Gary began his career with John Deere at the early age of 16 as a service tech in Wolf Point. He went on to be parts manager for the store. In 1989 he took a position at Benchmark Equipment in Chester as parts manager and then general manager. In 2001, Gary and JoLynn moved to Idaho Falls, where he became the store manager at Madison County Implement in Rexburg, Idaho, until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Catholic Church. Gary loved his job at John Deere, and his employees were a very special group to him. In his younger days he loved to take the boat out to Tiber Dam to fish and pull his three kids Jamie, Casey and Heidi around the lake. Gary and JoLynn spent four years following the Carroll College Saints football team, where they made many great and special friends. Gary spent his Sundays watching NFL games, and enjoyed trips to Detroit to watch his son Casey play for the Detroit Lions. He especially loved spending time with JoLynn, his wife of 38 years, as well as with his children and grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, JoLynn FitzSimmons of Idaho Falls; mother, Patricia Neutgens of The Dalles, Ore.; son, Jamie (Bonita Latimer) FitzSimmons of Idaho Falls; son, Casey (Alison) FitzSimmons of Canyon Creek; daughter, Heidi (Jarod) Sampson of Helena; brother, Ray (Joyce) FitzSimmons of White Salmon, Wash.; parents-in-law, Joe and Vonne Sokoloski of Circle; brother-in-law, Mike (Vera) Sokoloski of Circle; aunts, Gracie (Doug) Ruggles and Beverly Schillinger, both of Billings; grandchildren Addison and Bode FitzSimmons, Jarekk and Genavievee FitzSimmons, and Weston Sampson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gene FitzSimmons, stepmother, Mona FitzSimmons, and brother, Doug FitzSimmons.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, March 3, at Saint Helena Cathedral, 530 N. Ewing St. in Helena, with Father Marc Lenneman officiating. A vigil will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.