Dennis Mcgary

Dennis Roy McGary, 77, of Beaverton, Oregon, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2024, at one of his favorite places, Otter Crest on the Oregon Coast.

Dennis was born September 13, 1946, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to David Leroy McGary and Dorothy Mae (Gardner) McGary. He attended school in Shelley, Idaho, where he graduated from Shelley High School. He then attended Idaho State University. While there, he met the love of his life, Carolyn Aikens.

Dennis and Carolyn were married on September 3, 1965, in the old Shelley 2nd Ward. Knowing he was about to be drafted in the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was trained in electronics. He was assigned to work on radar jamming equipment on B-52 bombers. After the war, he finished his degree at Idaho State University and got a job at Tektronix, and later, Xerox in Beaverton, Oregon.

Scouting was a big part of Dennis’ life. Approximately 40 years of service were given working with the youth of his local unit, Troop 548, of the Beaverton Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as with youth throughout the Cascade Pacific Council. He became Wood Badge trained in 1981, and continued to give training to others at the district and council levels. Dennis served as the course director for both Wood Badge and Powder Horn. He also served as the organizer for Adventure Trek from 2004 to 2016. Adventure Trek is a 4-day race involving canoeing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and backpacking. He loved working with the Varsity Scouts and Venturing. A well-deserved Silver Beaver Scouting Award was presented to Dennis in 2000, and in 2003, he received the Venturing Leadership Award in recognition of his contribution to Venturing.

Canoeing the Bowron Lakes Circuit out of Quesnel, British Columbia, was one of Dennis’ passions. He first canoed the circuit in about 1979, and successfully completed the 75-mile circuit a total of 10 times! His last trip occurred in 2016 after recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Kathleen Conrad; daughter, MiChelle Mann; grandchildren, Gabbi (John) Boris, Zakk Mann, Samantha (Gabe Gutierrez) Mann, Conner Mann; and great grandchildren, LeRoy, Olivia, and Anita. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Clarice) McGary; and sister, Betty (Vince) Harrison.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn McGary; daughter, Katrina McGary; sister, Carol McClaskey; and brother, Robert McGary.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Beaverton Stake Center, 4195 SW 99th Ave.

Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the Air Force Honor Guard.