Gary Wilson Atkinson

Gary Wilson Atkinson, age 87, passed peacefully through the veil while surrounded by loved ones, on April 10th 2025, at his home in Cedar City, Utah. Born June 20, 1937 in Cache Valley, Utah to Wilson Winson and Ruth Vigh Atkinson, he was the first of four children with three sisters following.
Gary spent his childhood in the mountains enjoying nature, camping, fishing, hunting and hiking with his family, friends and scout troop. From a young age he adored spending time with family and eagerly listened as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles shared the stories of his family's history. These experiences in youth fostered a lifelong love of the outdoors and family history work. After graduating high school, Gary served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Denmark. He enjoyed his service, and was especially thankful for the information he was able to gather about his ancestors at the conclusion, including visits to churches and homes where they lived. Upon his return, Gary earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Utah, working first as a chemist and later as a certified quality auditor. Gary met and married the choice of his heart, Margie Lundskog, in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity on November 23, 1960. They shared a happy marriage and together they had nine children, in Salt Lake City, Utah, then Henderson, Nevada and finally Cedar City, Utah. Gary loved Disneyland, parties, family gatherings, scouting, camping, fishing, genealogy, the Christmas season and music. He was a master at fixing almost everything and was always busy repairing things around the house and in his garage. Gary was a member of the local Rotary Club and was given a number of awards including being named Rotarian of the Year in 2005. Rotary and his job both gave him the opportunity to travel the world offering service. He loved meeting new people and experiencing different cultures and was especially happy to find a need and fill it. He was involved in pioneering a prosthetic program for amputees and a bathroom building project in schools in India. A faithful, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gary loved his Savior Jesus Christ, and his Heavenly Father. He had a clear understanding of the plan of happiness and a great desire to connect his family on both sides of the veil. He attended the temple with his Margie every week and was delighted when a temple was built so close to home.
The family would like to give special thanks to the hospice workers who were so kind and helpful including nurses Taylor, Ashley, Debbie, Sharon and Cambree.
Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents Wilson and Ruth Atkinson, daughter Kristi Ann, son in law Rhett Murray, brothers-in-law Willie Carton, Doug Angell, and numerous other loved ones including two great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margie Atkinson, daughters Terri Lynne Atkinson, Heather (Paul) Hokanson, Holly Murray, Heidi (Scott) Thomas, sons David (Misti), Scott (Danielle), Bryan (DeAnza), and Andrew (Elaine), 39 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as well as three sisters Ann (Ron) Trimble, Janeen Angell, Cheryl (Ross) Johnson, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Cedar City West Stake Center, 765 S 1100 W Cedar City, UT 84720 at 12 noon. Friends and Family may attend a viewing prior to the service from 10-11:45 am. Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Heartlight Funeral Services, 2002 N Main St. Cedar City, UT 84721.
Funeral arrangements were trusted to HeartLight Funeral Services of Cedar City, 2002 N Main St Suite 7 Cedar, UT 84721, (435) 586-3456.
Topic: Gary W. Atkinson Funeral Time: Apr 18, 2025 11:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89879584789?pwd=aQPTa3FTj6Nl6b2xGuTz6a4xNx2bpH.1
Meeting ID: 898 7958 4789 Passcode: 029192
https://youtu.be/XQVdlaDD0t0