Gary Lynn Hill
June 26, 1939 – December 25, 2023

Gary Lynn Hill, 84, of St. John, Idaho passed away at his home on December 25, 2023 surrounded by family.

Gary was born on June 26, 1939 to Matthew Hill and Edna Croney Hill. He was the second of eight children and grew up on the family ranch in Elkhorn Idaho. He graduated in 1957 from Malad High School where he was active in FFA, boxing, and general mayhem. After graduation he went to school in Spokane, WA learning to load airplanes. He was too young to be hired by the airlines so he tried out a number of other careers. He worked for Standard Oil company, for a ski resort in Sun Valley, learned to cut meat at the Mill Stream Grocery, worked in construction, worked at Thiokol, and owned a meat packing plant in Brigham City, Utah. In 1979 he returned home to the Malad valley where his heart always wanted to be, and where he was able to do what he loved best.

Gary met his future wife, Kathryn, at the wedding of their good friends, Saundra and Elbert Hubbard. When Saundra threw her bouquet it landed in Kathryn’s lap. Gary walked over to her, put his arm around her and said, “Let’s go to Nevada and make this come true.” Instead they went bowling, but were an item ever since. They were married eight months later on December 29, 1960. Just a few more days and they would have made it to their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Gary was notorious for working long, hard hours, way past the time everyone else was ready to be done for the day. When he had time off from a job he would just go out and find another one to fill the time. Following the death of his father, Gary and Kathryn made the decision to move back to Idaho and buy the family ranch from his mother. This was a big move for everyone, and was, in many ways, the best thing for the whole family. Dad was lucky to have sons who had already learned a lot about working on a ranch and they went right to work with him. For many years he was the range rider for the Pleasant View Cattle Association. It was a lot of work and frustrating much of the time, but he loved being in the “West Hills” making sure the cattle had water. In later years he worked as a crop adjuster and enjoyed getting to know farmers and ranchers all over Idaho and Utah. Gary always had a herd of cows to keep him busy and every Autumn he would butcher several to make sure all of the family had a freezer full of beef. Some of our best family memories are of being up half the night helping cut and wrap meat with him.

Gary is survived by his wife of (nearly!) 63 years, Kathryn and their six children, Dan, Ken (Teri), Curt (Debbie), Marty (Jayme), Tricia (Scott), and Vance (Shannon); Grandchildren: Cecilee, Natalie, Theron, Nicole, Allie, Savanna, Aubrie, Chelsie, Hailey, Mathew, Cade, Mitch, Ryan, Zach, Christopher, Alexandra, Seth, Porter, and Lyla, as well as a horde of great grandchildren. Gary is also survived by his brother, Steve (Thel) Hill, and sisters Teri (Ed) Ahrens, Tammy (James) Slagowski, and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Hill and Edna Croney Hill; two brothers, Robert (Bob), Kenneth, and two sisters, Kaye and Colleen (Coke).

A heartfelt thank you to the hospice nurses for their compassion, expert care, and for going above and beyond for our dad.

Funeral services will be held at the Malad Stake Center on Wednesday, January 3rd at 1 o’clock in the afternoon for family and friends. A viewing will be held prior to the service starting at 11:30 am.

Interment, St. John Cemetery