Gary Linford Jorgensen

Gary Linford Jorgensen, 88, passed away at home on March 23, 2018, surrounded by loving family members. Gary was born on May 14, 1929 in Newton, UT to Linford and Mavis (Benson) Jorgensen. He was their oldest child and only son. Gary grew up in Newton, where he also attended elementary and middle school. He graduated from North Cache High in 1947.

Gary married Lois Hancey on September 1, 1949 in Hyrum, UT and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. This marriage was blessed with three sons. Through the years Gary worked several jobs, including 14 years on the Union Pacific Railroad, working mostly in Cache Valley before being transferred to Salt Lake City in 1954. He left Union Pacific in 1962 to become a delivery route driver for Canteen Vending Service. He and Lois moved the family back to Newton in 1966, where he ran the town service station for many years. He then went back to Salt Lake to work at Larkin Mortuary for a short time before returning to Newton and working at Thiokol, where he eventually became the Assistant Fire Chief, prior to retiring in 1992.

Gary was active in the LDS church and served as a Bishop, Bishop’s Counselor, High Councilman, and Temple Worker. He also served a four-year term as mayor of Newton and was Assistant Fire Chief on the Newton Fire Department. He was one of the original EMT’s on the Newton First Responders. He was honored as Newton’s Citizen of the Year in 2004. He truly loved people and providing service to others.

Gary and Lois spent many winters in retirement working at the LDS temple in St. George and enjoyed many new friendships developed there. Gary was a talented carpenter, brick mason, and mechanic and had the ability to build or repair almost anything. He also enjoyed many fishing and hunting trips with friends and family.

Gary is survived by his wife Lois and three sons, Brent (Jeanette), Jeff (Betsy), and Greg (Randi), who all reside in Cache Valley; and by his three sisters, Joan (Deloy-deceased) Larsen of Central Point, OR, Judy (Scott) Olsen and Vicki (David) Bennett, both of St. George, UT. He also has eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Brian Jorgensen. Gary loved his family dearly and cherished every moment he could spend with them. He was admired and loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held in the Newton LDS chapel on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at noon under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. A viewing will be held at the church preceding the service from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be at the Newton Cemetery. Written condolences can be made at www.allenmortuaries.com