Gary D Astill

My day started out rather well, but then I had one of those heart- stopping moments and, well, nothing was quite the same. Not that I’m complaining- it’s beautiful here. The lights are still on, the temperature...mild, much cooler than I had anticipated. Another plus: There are no ‘Depends’, walkers, canes, or pill containers. No one leaks, needs to be stabilized, or medicated here.

I was born September 18, 1940, in Salt Lake City to Melvin A. Astill and Deon Bishop and, on March 9, 2024, being totally out of warranty at 83 years of age, made my grand exit.

I was a most blessed guy while on this earth, being married to Dorothy, my best friend and soul mate of fifty-seven years- the mother of my four kids and ‘Super Grandma’ to nineteen grandkids and twelve greats. I worked forty years in the newspaper business, the first twenty as a compositor and the last twenty as a tech fixing the equipment that replaced my old job. I made many friends along the way. I was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, was and still am, plenty rough around the edges. I have been blessed far beyond what I deserve and give all credit to Dorothy for agreeing to marry me, honing the rough spots, and saving me from myself.

Throughout my life, on too many occasions, from being asked to give a talk, to teaching, to thinning sugar beets, I repeatedly told the Lord’s anointed “no”, but He kept blessing me anyway and gave me chances to mend my ways. One day, overcome by guilt while having sons of my own, I finally said “yes” when asked to be scoutmaster. Later I was called as a bishop. I’m not sure which calling was most challenging, or demanding, or educational, or rewarding. I have very fond memories while serving as both. I was surrounded by ‘Salt of the Earth People.’ I camped out and went on many adventures while watching boys grow, advance, and develop into great men. I developed a great love for the people of the Grant 2nd Ward while serving as their bishop. I counseled them, married them, buried them, cried and laughed with them- I learned so much from all of them! God bless ‘em all.

I am preceded in death by my parents, little sister Bonnie Kay (who died as an infant and, being only three, I never got to know), my beloved wife Dorothy, my daughter Anita, her son and my grandson Teancum, and sisters-in-law Peggy and Winona. I am survived by sons Dane (Deanna), Michael (Amy), daughter Ginger (Dan), son-in-law Chris Haywood, 18 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and my brothers Jerry, Mark (Helen), and Randy.

Thank you for all the memories and love you gave me and for the chance to love you back. This body may have passed away, but the love and memories never do. For that I am ever grateful. It has been a wonderful experience. Again, thanks! Carry on.

Starks Funeral Parlor (3651 S. 900 E. Millcreek, Utah) will oversee my ‘going away party’ on Monday, March 18th from 6-8 pm with a funeral on March 19th at 10:00 am at the Springview Ward located at 3151 S. 900 E. Millcreek, Utah. There will be no viewing. Then, I will be interred with “Mama Dot” at Elysian Gardens.

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(A ‘thirty dash’ is newspaper parlance signifying ‘end of story’)