Gary Potter

] GARY POTTER Click here to view a video of Gary's life IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Gary Dean Potter, 72, of Idaho Falls, passed away October 4, 2008, at his home of cancer, with his family by his side. He was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice. He was born November 8, 1935, in Newdale, Idaho, to Lewis Potter and Ivie Thompson Potter. He grew up on the family farm in Wilford and graduated from South Fremont High School in St. Anthony, where he lettered four years in football and track. He also attended Stevens-Henager Business College in Utah. He married Trudy Hammond June 17, 1955, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He began his banking career at the Bank of Commerce in Idaho Falls, and worked in banking in Ferndale, Washington, Price, Utah, and Longview, Washington, before becoming an agent for State Farm Insurance Company in Montpelier, Idaho. He moved to Idaho Falls in 1977, where he continued working with State Farm until his retirement after 30 years. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as Bishop, early morning Seminary teacher, gospel doctrine teacher, and in various other callings throughout the years. While his children were in high school he served as President of the Idaho Falls High School Booster Club. He enjoyed golf, fishing, camping, playing cards and chicken foot, and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include: Wife: Trudy Potter, Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: SuZann (Brad) Lund, Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Leisa (Travis) Tolman, Idaho Falls, ID Son: David (Karen) Potter, Idaho Falls, ID Son: Jon (Liatt) Potter, Idaho Falls, ID Son: Don (Allison) Potter, Idaho Falls, ID Brother: Frank Potter, Wilford, ID Sister: Marilyn Hammond, Pocatello, ID Sister: Wayne Howes, Sun City, AZ 23 Grandchildren & 8 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Weston Potter, and a son, Gary Ryan Potter. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at the Idaho Falls LDS Stake Center, 1155 East First Street, with Bishop Larry Haws of the Idaho Falls 9th Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and Wednesday from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. The family suggests memoriials in Gary's name to Hands of Hope Hospice, 1379 East 17th Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83404. --------------------------------------------- Condolences Received Online: Bobbie Olsen administration@bobbieolsen.com Trudy and family - I just happened to be responding to another family's loss and saw that you've lost Gary as well. I know I've lost touch with all of you, but you have to know you've always been in my thoughts and memories. My prayers are with all of you. Love Bobbie Marshall Lund Family mklund@zionsbank.com October 4th is becoming a day to set our angels free. It was a special day in 2006 and now again in 2008. We know that Gary is free of pain, and made strong and whole again. We love each & everyone of you! In our prayers - M K A C Pat Jacobi princesspatty_skywest@yahoo.com Sorry to hear of Gary's death. I liked him alot and will pray for him. Pat Jacobi Sara Dornfeld Your family has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I will never forget Gary's big hairy spiders. He would pay my brother and I a quarter for every cricket we could catch in the field behind the office twenty something years ago. Your family is a part of mine. I love you all! My prayers are with you. Daralee and Kent Beck daraleebeck@hotmail.com Sorry to hear about Gary, please accept our sympathies. Remember he will always be in your heart. Gloria J.Batton rerun318@hotmail.com Jon, Liatt and family Sorry about your loss. Although I did not know your dad personally Jon, I know Ray would have wanted me to send our condolances. Please take care and I know things will get better in time. Love to you all. Gloria Batton and family Ted & Verlaine Van Horn tevanhorn@comcast.net We were saddened to hear of the passing of your dear husband, father and grandfather. We hope you take solace in the comforting presence of the Holy Ghost during this trying time in your lives. Know that Gary is free of pain and reunited with your son and brother, Ryan and other loved ones. We have been through the sorrow of losing our son, Mark, our daughter Julie and a grand daughter Bonnie. We know that Earth knows no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. Gather with one another and rejoice over the good times. We remember with fondness being with your family in Bellingham, Price and Pocatello. With love, Ted and Verlaine Van Horn, Salt Lake City. Connie Carlson connie@fallsinsurance.com Our family has known the Potter family since 1977 when they moved to Idaho Falls. Our two daughters, Cammie and Cindy went to school with David and Jon. I have also known Gary through the insurance profession and the I. F. Boosters. He was always quick with a smile and a hug. Trudy and he were a wonderful couple and it's hard to not say either of their names without mentioning the other one. I hope Trudy puts up a colorful flag at his grave so that I will know where to find my own relatives, who are buried near their son, Ryan. Connie Carlson Hollis Marler hmarler@btinternet.com Dear All, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am thinking of you during this hard time and praying for you. All our love, Hollis and Bella Jim Wilson dgymwilson@gmail.com Trudy & family, May the Lord bless & comfort you now & in the future. I take comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain, can still be close to you, is having a fantastic reunion with your son, his parents & many others & is looking forward & preparing for the time when you all will be together again with him. Don & Carrie Potter dcpotter@cableone.net We are so sorry for your loss. What a loss it is. He was such a kind man. It was always a compliment to be asked if we were related. We would always comment “no”, but he's our friend and insurance agent. Our prayers are with you all always. Don and Carrie (The Other Potter's) Mick Ohman cobjmo@ida.net What a treasure was this wonderful man! His is a legacy of which anyone would be proud. Knowing Gary and his family all of these years is a joy which I shall always cherish. I wish comfort to all who mourn Gary's passing. Bruce Potter potterbvp@dcdi.net Trudy and family, I was saddened to read today (Wed) in the Montpelier paper of the death of Gary. I am grateful that I got to know him through our mutual interest in family history. He was very helpful in assisting me. I regret that I haven't met with Gary since last year. Be assured of my sincere sympathy for you and your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May your testimony of eternal families be unshakeable. With love and fond memories, Bruce Potter Joan Hill Cheney I was unable to attend Gary's funeral but I have just finished watching the video on this web site. How touching and wonderfully done. Von and I really enjoyed our friendship with you and Gary and I remember how cute your children were those many years ago. I remarried after Von died 9 years ago. Hope you find peace and comfort in the days to come. Love, Larry and Joan (Hill) Cheney Marsha Burke Our deepest sympathy is with all of you at this time. May God bring you peace. Each of you are in our prayers. Marsha and Lyssa Thomas, Raquel, Megan, Abby, Keith Brown and Family teb4588@yahoo.com Dear Don, Allison, and the rest of the Potter clan, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Potter. Having survived this experience in 1999, I know how difficult this must be for you. Know that you all are in my family's thought and prayers. The life video is a wonderful tribute to a truly honorable man. The booster coat picture sure brings back memories and is an image of Mr. Potter that I will continue to carry with me. I encourage you to draw on the strength of your family; the pain of loss never really goes away but learning to deal with it will come over time. May God bless you and your family during this time and always, Thomas E. Brown & Family Rex & Marla (Hirschi) Young Marla and I subscribe to the Rexburg paper and noted the obituary of Gary. We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Barbra and Clayton Rich Trudy and family, We were sadden to hear of the passing of Gary. Please know of our deepest sympathy and of our prayers for you. Dan Dearden dan@deardeninsurance.com Dear Trudy & Family, Today I learned of Gary's passing as David contacted me. I have always appreciated Gary's involvement in my younger years, especially his encouragement in high school football and life in general along 8th Street. My love and thoughts are with you and your family. Gary was a kind and generous friend to so many. Dan Dearden R. Scott Kunz sk3ak@yahoo.com Dear Trudy and family, I was so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I had been told that he had suffered long, but fought valiantly. I read the obituary and remembered all the good times of 30+ years ago. Your family has been a shining example of being able to stick together in very, very difficult times. My wife and I both teach in Preston, moving from Bear Lake two years ago. We live in Smithfield, Utah. We love it! Our eldest is married and teaching at Logan High. Our daughter is attending USU and working at Ruby Tuesday's in Logan. Our youngest son just completed his mission in Rapid City, SD. He is living with us and working for Fat Boy ice cream. Sending all our love and best to you. Stay close and love each other. All our love, Scott, Shauna, Adam, Alex and Ali Kunz Rebecca Mix rjacobi@qwest.com Gary was a good man and he will be truly missed. Sorry for your loss!! Laurie Larsen Harrison moose2black@dcdi.net Trudy, my deepest sympathy in the loss of your beloved Gary. I don't know if you remember me or not. I went to school with David. I just wanted to express how I felt about Gary. He was my little league coach (along with Ryan) Gary let me try out for the team not knowing I was a girl! I made the team and he put me in as pitcher and short stop. I have very fond memories of him and Ryan for giving me that chance of being the first girl to play little league in Montpelier, Idaho. My best to you and your family. Laurie Harrison Rick Young Sorry for your loss and my prayers will be with you. He was a great guy and fun to be around. I knew him when he was the sheriff and went on patrol with him, he will be missed and loved.