Gary Hames Passes Away in Mackay, Idaho August 21 2012. Sympathies to his family Funeral services will be Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Mackay High School Auditorium.
Gary Grant Hames, 64, of Mackay, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, following a battle with cancer.
Gary was born Dec. 13, 1947, in Phoenix to Vernon and Luella (Porritt) Hames. Gary, the seventh of 10 kids, was a rambunctious boy who maintained his spitfire attitude throughout his adult life. Gary's childhood and the family's travels provided many great memories that he loved to reminisce about and share.
In 1969, Gary married Karelene Coram. Their first daughter, Alicia Brandy, was born on Gary's birthday in 1973. A second daughter, Angela Rae, was born June 10, 1975. Gary and Karelene were later divorced.
In 1976, Gary married Karen McKelvey. Gary's third daughter, Amber Eileen, was born Oct. 21, 1979. In 1980, Gary started working as a heavy equipment operator in Alaska; it wasn't long before he was considered one of the best equipment operators in the business. The family spent five years traveling around Alaska before moving back to Mackay. Gary and Karen were later divorced.
Gary spent the last 22 years with the love of his life, Linda. His family was completed with the addition of Linda's four children: Lori, Michelle, Valkyrie and Erik.
Gary's "gypsy" blood never allowed him to stay in one place for long. Although his home was in Mackay, he spent many years traveling around the West working in the mining industry. As a boss, Gary was a mentor to many he worked with. His work yielded many lifelong friends, many of whom will always remember him saying, "You might want to pick it up a notch or two." In 2010, Gary retired and was finally ready to enjoy life in Mackay. However, not one to sit idle, it wasn't long before he had a new business idea and decided to start Top of Idaho ATV Rentals with his daughter, Amber. The next summer, Gary opened G&L Lube and began renting four-wheelers and using his mechanical expertise. This was a place for Gary to reconnect with his "old" Mackay friends, putter around with his "hound dogs" and restore a 1966 El Camino with his grandson, Colby.
Although Gary worked and lived in many different places, he was happiest in Mackay riding a four-wheeler on the mine hill, fishing from his boat on the reservoir and sharing his love of the outdoors with all his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; children, Alicia Brandy (Greg) Hammack, Angela Rae (Ryan) Reynolds and Amber Eileen Hames; stepchildren, Lori (Kevin) Ross, Michelle Applegate, Valkyrie Loman and Erik (JoAnna) Peterson; 16 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, George (Jan) Hames and Jasper (Jan) Hames; five sisters, Melba (Delbert) Hellickson, Jerrine (Ron Woods) Clure, Bona (Jim) Merrill, Margo (Mike) Clure and Darlene Kidd; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; mother; his brother, Milan; his sister, Verla; and a granddaughter, Addison Kathelene Reynolds.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, in the Mackay High School auditorium Published Idaho Falls Post Register August 29 2012
I was so sorry to hear about Gary. I know that it is a very hard time for all of you.It will be a long time before it gets better but you just have to get through it. I don't know how long he was sick but I hope it was not to long. I know it sounds bad but I am grateful that Paul passed quickly after we found out he was sick. The hardest thing was seeing him go from the strong man I knew to the man I cried every time I saw him.
ReplyDeleteMy heart and prayers go out to your family.
RIP Gary
Mary House