Gary was born Feb. 13, 1954, in Wolf Point, Mont., to Gene FitzSimmons and Patricia Neutgens. He grew up and attended schools in Wolf Point and graduated from Wolf Point High School.

On Nov. 8, 1975, he married the love of his life, JoLynn Sokoloski, in Circle, Mont.

Gary began his career with John Deere at the early age of 16 as a service tech in Wolf Point. He went on to be parts manager for the store. In 1989, he took a position at Benchmark Equipment in Chester, Mont., as parts manager and then general manager.

In 2001, Gary and JoLynn moved to Idaho Falls, where he became the store manager at Madison County Implement in Rexburg until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Catholic Church. Gary loved his job at John Deere, and his employees were a very special group to him.

In his younger days, he loved to take the boat out to Tiber Dam to fish and pull his three kids, Jamie, Casey and Heidi, around the lake.

Gary and JoLynn spent four years following the Carroll College Saints football team, where they made many great and special friends. Gary spent his Sundays watching NFL games and enjoyed trips to Detroit to watch his son, Casey, play for the Detroit Lions.

He especially loved spending time with JoLynn, his wife of 38 years, as well as with his children and grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, JoLynn FitzSimmons of Idaho Falls; mother, Patricia Neutgens of The Dalles, Ore.; sons, Jamie (Bonita Latimer) FitzSimmons of Idaho Falls and Casey (Alison) FitzSimmons of Canyon Creek, Mont.; daughter, Heidi (Jarod) Sampson of Helena, Mont.; brother, Ray (Joyce) FitzSimmons of White Salmon, Wash.; parents-in-law, Joe and Vonne Sokoloski of Circle, Mont.; brother-in-law, Mike (Vera) Sokoloski of Circle, Mont.; aunts, Gracie (Doug) Ruggles and Beverly Schillinger, both of Billings, Mont.; grandchildren, Addison and Bode FitzSimmons, Jarekk and Genavievee FitzSimmons, and Weston Sampson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gene FitzSimmons; stepmother, Mona FitzSimmons; and brother, Doug FitzSimmons.

Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, March 3, at Saint Helena Cathedral, 530 N. Ewing St. in Helena, Mont., with Father Marc Lenneman officiating. A vigil will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena.

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

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Post Register on Feb. 26, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary FitzSimmons

Sponsored by Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home & Crematory - Helena.

9 Entries

RICK ROLANDSON

March 5, 2014

JOLYNN AND FAMILY, I WAS SHOCKED AND SADDENED IN HEARING OF GARY'S PASSING. HIS GREAT LAUGH WILL NEVER ESCAPE MY MEMORY. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL AND I AM THANKFUL FOR KNOWING GARY.

March 3, 2014

We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you, we know that God's spirit will be with you to help you through this tough time.
Death is always so hard to deal with, but this is the next step, NOT the end, but the BEGINING.
My fondest memories of Gary and my cousins, is when Mom(Betty Neutgens)would take us up to Wolf Point, Montana in July every year for the Wild Horse Stampede. We had fun riding bikes with Gary and playing with fire works. The great picnics and the smell of hamburgers and onions grilling at the Catholic stand filled the street. I think I can still smell them, the aroma is unforgettable and the burgers were the BEST. Shooting 22's with Gary and the other cousins out in the fields was every young boy's dream come true. I looked forward every year to spending time with Gary and the other cousins, time could not go fast enough back then for July to roll around every year. As we grow older and have our own children we sometimes loose touch with each other. Gary's Mom(Pat Neutgens)always kept track of us. I was so surprised and it touched me that my cousin Gary and his lovely wife Jolynn showed up at my wedding to Becky. After that it was Casey's wedding, Heidi's wedding and Pat's 80 birthday party and at every one of them Gary had that big smile and even with a limp he was out there dancing and keeping up with the youngest of them.
Gary had a Great Heart always smiling, even through the pain, he NEVER gave up. That is what made Gary such a Great Manager, people always wanted to be around him. Heaven must need a Great Manager.
All our Love and Prayers!
Rick and Becky Boyd

Susanne Green

February 28, 2014

I was sorry to read of Gary's passing. He was a good neighbor and very nice man. Please accept my sincere condolences.

February 27, 2014

JoLynn,
My prayers are with you, Casey, Jamie, and Heidi and your extended family on this sudden loss. I always admired Gary for his love and support of his family given the difficulties he, Doug, and Ray encountered being raised by a single parent. I am certain that God is watching over you during this difficult time.
Loren

June Jensen

February 26, 2014

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, We are so saddened to here of Garys passing, He was a great guy and always had a smile on his face. Will pray for Strength for you all for the days ahead, God Bless you all June and Brett Jensen

gabriel beauchman sr

February 26, 2014

very sad jolynn and family my prayers sent to u

Gwen Dumas

February 26, 2014

JoLynn & Family,
I was saddened to read of your loss. We've lost touch, but I think of you often. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this very difficult time.

February 26, 2014

Dear Fitzsimmons Family, I worked with Gary from the time he moved into the Rexburg store. I had a lot of great memories of him and his contagious smile. I am thank full that I had the opportunity to get to know him. Sincerely David "George" Goebel.

Russell Crites

February 26, 2014

Dear FitzSimmons Family, We are so sorry for your loss. We became friends during our time following football at Carroll and will certainly miss Gary. Our sympathy to your family from ours for the loss of your Dad, Husband, and Grandpa From Russ and Mary Pat Crites and Family

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results