Gary Ronald Browning

Gary Ronald Browning died July 20, 2011, surrounded by his family, at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, from respiratory complications due to a fall. Gary was born to Anna Thelma and Henry Vernal Browning on March 23, 1938, in Ogden, Utah. He and his family moved to Vale, Ore., in 1946, and then to Montana’s Bitterroot Valley in 1955. Gary graduated from Stevensville High School in 1957. He married his high school sweetheart, Julie Fitzgarrald, in Stevensville on December 28, 1958. They later were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple. They made their home in Stevensville, where Gary farmed with his father-in-law, Jack Fitzgarrald. In 1977, the family moved to Idaho and made their home in the Grant area. Gary was a hard worker and worked every day of his life. He was an entrepreneur, and the owner of Browning Hardware in Stevensville, and of Browning Custom Feeds in Grant. Due to ill health, he was forced to retire from agriculture in 1996. He then worked for the Bank of Eastern Idaho; First Commerce Bank in Logan, Utah; Frostline Inc. and Eastgate Drug in Idaho Falls. At the time of his death, he was employed by Citizens Community Bank. Gary served friends diligently, making a difference in countless lives. The “Big Guy,” as he was fondly called, had a quick wit, and knew how to crack a joke. He had a knack for giving people funny nicknames. Gary enjoyed old tractors, classic cars and toy trains. He liked to watch reruns of old sitcoms and Walter Matthau movies, and thought John Wayne was the great American hero. He loved his country and appreciated the beauty of the earth, enjoying drives around the area. Gary loved his grandchildren and teased them constantly. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions including in the Grant Ward bishopric, on the Menan Stake High Council, and most recently served as a Gospel Doctrine teacher. He believed in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and had a deep testimony of the restored Gospel. He is survived by his wife, Julie, five children: Belinda Jayne (Mark) Burningham, Jonathan Mark (Kym), Ronda Lynn, Lucinda Lee (Michael) Willits and David Jack. Nine grandchildren: Benjamin (Holly) Burningham, Marinda (Scott) Fowler, Elizabeth and Nathaniel Burningham, Jakob (Eliza) Browning, Austin Jack and Sam Browning, and Savannah and Sierra Willits. He also is survived by three sisters: Wilma Lichfield, Charilla (Boyd) Brown, Peggy (Hans) Schultz, many nieces and nephews and countless “adopted” Brownings. A viewing will be held Sunday, July 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Grant LDS Church (3431 East 100 North, Rigby). Funeral services will be at the Grant LDS Church Monday, July 25, at 11 a.m. The family will meet with friends from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Central Cemetery in Grant immediately following the funeral. A memorial fund has been set up at Citizens Community Bank.