Gary William Farnes

Gary William Farnes, 83, returned home to the God who gave him life on Friday, June 30, 2023. His family, whom he dearly loves, was by his side.

Gary was born to William Darrell and Ida Burningham Farnes on February 20, 1940, and was the oldest of three children. Gary loves his sister Judy (Lon) Nebel and his brother Monte Ray Farnes. He was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Gary has an impressive educational resume and attended school at Utah State University and the Church College of Hawaii. Following his time in Hawaii, he served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas Mission under the leadership of Ralph Hill. After returning home from his mission, Gary graduated from Brigham Young University. He furthered his education at George Washington University in Washington DC, receiving his MBA and MHA degrees in business and hospital management. Gary completed his fellowship at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Medical Center, followed by a successful career with Holy Cross Health Systems and Intermountain Health Care. At the end of his career, he co-founded World Joy, a non-profit organization created to love and serve the people of Ghana, Africa.

Gary and his beautiful wife Mary divinely met while attending their church meetings in the 16th Street chapel in Washington DC (This was Gary’s congregation and chapel, where Mary as a flight attendant, chose to attend during her layover on that sacred Sabbath day). Soon after, they were married in the Salt Lake City temple on August 16, 1968. They started their marriage in the DC area, where Gary began his career in hospital administration. Thirty years later, they were called to Preside over the Washington DC North Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returning to share the word of God where their love story all began.

Gary served in many leadership responsibilities within his church, work, and community. Still, his greatest accomplishment, calling, and role in life is that of Husband to his beautiful wife Mary, Father to his seven children, and papa to his thirty-nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who he loves and adores. Being with and loving his family brings him his greatest joy in life and for the eternities to come.

Gary wants everyone to know that he’s got joy, to remember who we are and what we represent, and that he is busy sharing his love of the gospel with everyone he possibly can; he will be our angel roundabout us in life to bear and lift us up, and above all else, he loves his Mary and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Together Forever, No Empty Chairs, Destination Celestial.

Gary is survived by his wife, Mary, and his seven children, Tim (Linsey), Trish (Brad), Tyler (Michelle), Tami (Neal), Tara (Brody), Trevor (Jenna), and Trent (Chantale). Gary and Mary have 39 grandchildren (19 grandaughters and 20 grandsons) and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Burningham Farnes, his father, William Darrell Farnes, and his brother Monte Ray Farnes.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, 900 S Main St, Kaysville, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah, and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church. Interment at Farmington City Cemetery.

For those wishing to attend the funeral service virtually, the following Zoom link has been provided by the ward: https://zoom.us/j/97996107580. Services will also be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/missionary