Gary Owens

1930 - 2015

Gary D. Owens, 84, returned to his Father in Heaven May 28, 2015 at Sage Grove Assisted Living in Rigby surrounded by loved ones. He was born August 12, 1930 to Thomas Walter Owens and Mary Isabell Harrison at Teton City, Idaho. He was the third of five children. He attended school in Teton and St. Anthony.
He married Violet B. Hill August 30, 1948. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. To this union four children were born. Violet passed away in 1976, and Gary married Carole E. Bauer. He loved spending time with family.
Gary was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed keeping busy. He worked for the Rexburg Fire Department for 26 years, 17 as Assistant Fire Chief and eight as Fire Chief. He saw many changes over his career. When he retired he stayed busy enjoying the outdoors - he even cut firewood for the fun of it. He and Carole served as campground hosts in northern Idaho for several years, and he loved to pick huckleberries and pan for gold in between fishing or hunting trips. The story about the 8 foot sturgeon is true, but some of his other stories could be a little bit exaggerated. He loved driving his pickup, walking his dogs and doing drop-by visits, which will be greatly missed.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many positions. He had a great sense of humor and was always joking around as his family can attest to. He will be dearly missed.
His is survived by his wife Carole Owens and his children: Gary Dee (Marlene) Owens, Darla (Rick) King and Debbie (Laine) Parkinson, all of Rexburg, Idaho. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Tamara Bauer and Viki Bauer both of Blackfoot, Idaho, and Kory (Jana) Bauer of Shelley, Idaho, as well as 16 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Violet Hill Owens; a son, Danny Boyd Owens; a sister, Helen Allen; a brother, Vic Owens; and a stepson, Randy Bauer.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015, at the Teton LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:30-7 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home, in Rexburg and again at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Burton Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online to the family at http://www.flammfh.com.
As a family we would like to thank Amy Rackham and staff at Sage Grove Assisted Living and Encompass Hospice for the care they gave to Dad.