Gary Richard Blackmun

 

Being the life of the party, loved ones in heaven must be celebrating the return of Gary back to them with his passing on October 28, 2024. 

Gary Richard Blackmun was born on November 27, 1950. Growing up in Long Beach, California with his three sisters and brother, he was the welcomed boy that his “Pappy” wanted. As a boy he loved playing with train sets, riding bikes, and when he was a very young child, he would listen to music on a record player that his mother would put in his playpen. Living so close to the ocean, Gary became a Sea Scout and developed his love of the water. You could find Gary fishing with family members and later in life, on his boat where he would take the family out on the ocean. Gary always had a love for music. He learned to play the violin in junior high and also learned piano. His favorite song to play was “Alley Cat.” 

Gary had a strong work ethic early on in life starting as a paper boy working multiple routes. He went on to work at Art Decal where he started at the bottom of the company sweeping floors, eventually making his way up to becoming owner. He attended Wilson High School in Long Beach and also Seminary where he never missed class but every day you could find him sleeping through the lesson. When Gary was old enough to drive, he rode a motorcycle and then bought his favorite muscle car, a 66 GTO.

Gary served an LDS mission in San Antonio, Texas and when he returned, he continued to work at Art Decal. In 1971 Gary joined The Grand Land Singers as a bass and on one of his tours met Jan Hughes; right away he knew she was the one for him. They were married on June 28, 1975, in the Los Angeles Temple and then made their home in Long Beach, California. They would go on to live in Seal Beach, California for 26 years. In 2015, they moved to North Salt Lake, Utah to be closer to family. They found a house in a great area with the best ward and neighbors. 

Gary had a love for many things including bicycles, watching BYU football, collecting antiques and classic cars, decorating for holidays, and entertaining family and friends. He was a pilot who owned his own plane, where he would take family members and friends on trips. He also collected clocks, and you could find one in each room of his house. Gary and Jan also helped support many family members and friends on their LDS missions which blessed those missionaries’ lives. He also served many years as a ward and stake finance clerk and was always recognized for his great service. 

Gary loved talking with everyone he met and would love to tease them using his dry wit. It did not matter if you were a waitress, nurse, or a doctor. He loved to talk with them about their future plans, and the topic of real estate always ended up in the conversation. 

Gary was preceded in death by his father “Pappy,” mother “Granny,” and brother Gene. He is survived by his wife Jan, his beloved parrot Webster, sisters Sharon Klecker, Lynn (Nelden) Maxfield, and Kathy (Earl) Swain, and brother-in-law Bill (Lori) Hughes. He also leaves behind a big family of nieces and nephews and their families.

Funeral services for Gary will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 12 noon at the LDS chapel at 4275 Bountiful Boulevard, Bountiful, Utah with a family viewing from 10:30-11:30 am that morning. Interment to be held at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery. 

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary.

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Gary’s obituary page.

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