Gary Lee Machan

Holladay, Utah, Gary Lee Machan, 65, died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in Holladay, Utah, due to complications from a stroke.

Gary was born Feb. 12, 1943, in Grand Island as the only child of Donald Louis Machan and Opal Lee Kixmiller. During his youth, Gary's family joined the LDS Church. He was an accomplished wrestler at Grand Island High School and continued to wrestle while at Rick's College and Brigham Young University. Following his LDS mission in Britain, he went on to earn his MBA from BYU. He married Lynne Garner Aug. 12, 1966, in the Oakland Temple and they had three daughters, Robyn, Holly and Christie. Following their divorce, Gary was married to Laura Ann Kuenhold for nearly 20 years, during which time they had two sons, Mac and Jake. In his professional life, Gary enjoyed a very successful career in commercial real estate development with offices in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Gary made a name for himself in real estate, first working for Price Industries Corp. and then starting his own company, Machan Hampshire Properties, which was responsible for many structures around the Salt Lake valley, including the Woodlands Buildings. Gary was a truly unique individual who maintained an international network of associates. Many of these people became dear friends with whom Gary made an effort to keep in touch throughout his life. In his personal life, Gary's interests included travel, Harley-Davidson' Motorcycles (trips to Sturgis), adventures and animals, especially pigs. He will be remembered as a wild and crazy individual with a great sense of humor and a style all his own. We will remember the efforts he made to celebrate important occasions with his family as well as his dutiful care of his parents in their later years. Gary lived life to the fullest, taking every opportunity to travel to and explore exciting locales.

He is survived by his five children, Robyn (Ted) Buckwalter of Fort Worth, Texas, Holly (Robert) Wray of Salt Lake City, Christie Machan of Madison, Wis., Mac (Lindsey) Machan of Bountiful, Utah and Jake (Viviana) Machan of Salt Lake City and six beloved grandchildren. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Opal.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to friends, St. Joseph's Villa and especially CareSource the Residence for providing stellar medical, spiritual and emotional care during the final years of his life. At the end of his life, Gary wished all those who touched his life to know how much he loved and appreciated them.

Funeral services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary on Friday, Sept. 12, at noon. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the memorial service. Interment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

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