Gareth B. Homer

Gary and Maurine Homer are finally together again. Alone for four long and lonely years after she died in September 2009, Gareth B. Homer finally joined his sweetheart, Maurine, the love of his life, Tuesday, December 10, 2013.

Gary was born October 13, 1924, in Logan, Utah, to John M. and Leone T. Homer. He was the third of their five sons. He moved with them to Idaho Falls as a very young boy, where he lived for essentially the rest of his life.

He met his lifelong love, Maurine, in school. They courted and then corresponded after he succeeded in persuading the draft board to allow him to join the Army despite a serious health problem. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II in England and France. He came home to marry Maurine in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 4, 1945, and get a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Utah. He was recalled to active Army service in the Korean War, where he served as a first lieutenant.

Upon discharge, he came home to his little family in Idaho Falls, and went to work at the new Atomic Energy Commission Site (now INL), where he worked at his life career: designing literally hundreds of different instrumentation and control systems for the reactors. He was universally deeply respected by his colleagues for his engineering skill in that field.

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gary loved studying the scriptures and teaching the gospel. Unable to serve a church mission because of his early military service, he retired early so he and Maurine could serve a mission together ---which they did beginning in 1986 in Nevada. After just a few months as "a buck private in the Army of the Lord" -- the way he always said he wanted to serve -- he was called to serve as the President of the Michigan Dearborn Mission in Detroit, where they served for an additional two years.

Gary loved the Church and its sacred scriptures, reading them cover-to-cover literally dozens of times in his lifetime. He served in numerous church callings, including: Scoutmaster, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Bishop's Counselor, Bishop, Stake President's Counselor and Mission President. His happiest church calling was serving as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple, where he served with Maurine for many years.

His deep devotion to his beloved wife was manifested most beautifully when he became Maurine's patient and selfless caregiver after she came down with Alzheimer's. He cared for her, selflessly and sweetly, for 11 long years until her death in 2009. Gary and Maurine had six children, all still living: Stephen Gareth (CynDee) Homer, Craig Michael Homer, David Ryan (Diane) Homer, Kevin Boyd (Trish) Homer, Wendy Maurine (Brad) Homer-Jones and Marc Jeffery (Kathleen) Homer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leone Homer; and three brothers, Karl T. Homer, Dale Homer and John T. Homer.

He is survived by his youngest brother, Quinten Homer of Boise; his six children, 20 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. today, December 14, at the LDS Church Building at Second Street and Higbee Avenue in Idaho Falls. Viewing was held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, December 13, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. in Idaho Falls, and also will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today prior to services at the church building. Interment will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls, with full military honors. His funeral services are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.

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

Family Tribute