Gary Boyden

Gary Doren Boyden passed away on November 17, 2025 in Price, Utah at the age of 86. Gary was born on February 18, 1939 in Provo, Utah to Doren and LaRella Boyden.

While growing up in Provo, Utah, Dad attended the BYU Academy from kindergarten to college. He was proud to be an honest and true BYU man. He loved watching every Cougar football and basketball game he could. He was also a big JAZZ fan and proudly wore his JAZZ ball cap everywhere he went.

Gary was a very kind and loving man, having a strong love and testimony of Jesus Christ. As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, he selflessly served a two year LDS mission in New England, and again later in life as a Special Service Missionary Counselor in the LDS 12-step Program at the Utah State Prison. Gary had a strong belief that everybody was good at heart and held no judgement on anyone.

Gary was a very talented photographer by trade. During his service in the US Army Reserve, he was the company photographer. Later, he worked for KODAK, then went on to co-own the Poster Factory in Trolley Square in Salt Lake City. He branched off and managed a Poster Factory in the University Mall in Orem for many years. Gary had a keen eye for capturing a moment in time to be transformed into a memory that is cherished forever among the hearts of many.

Gary was also a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, a position he loved. Dad had a deep compassion for the outdoors. He loved deer hunting for many years with his brother in-laws. He had a great love for fishing which he instilled in our hearts. It was through fishing he taught us the skills of patience, acceptance of "it is what it is," and being truly grateful for what we have by not expecting more. These were blessings from our Heavenly Father to be embraced and to live humbly. He loved spending time with family and enjoyed the many family get togethers. He had a way of making each of us feel extra special through the love he gave so willingly. It was with this same compassion that everyone he met was a friend and he enjoyed talking with anyone willing to listen. In retirement, he worked many years as a "demo dude," (as he called it) handing out food samples to shoppers at Costco in Murray Utah. He never thought of it as work, but as visiting his, "day time friends."

Gary maintained an optimistic view to every situation. Dad would always say, "Life is full of choices, you can make the best of the situation, or just feel sorry for yourself. I have chosen to make the best of the situation." This is what he sincerely lived by to the day before his passing by saying, "I am happy, life is good and I love you."

Dad is survived by his children; Brenda (Lee) Barry; Beverlee Fordham; Richard (Karina) Boyden; eight grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gary is preceded in death by his first wife, Dianne Boothe Boyden, who passed away in 2011; second wife, Karla Cruff Boyden who passed in 2021; son, Steven William Boyden; son-in-law, Tim Fordham; a grand-daughter and a great-grandson.

Family will join together for an informal service at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary in Murray, Utah, followed by the interment at the Murray City Cemetery, on November 21, 2025.