Gary Jay Gunderson

Gary Jay Gunderson, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Salem, Utah, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with his beloved wife by his side. He was born December 16, 1943, in Rigby, Idaho, to Noma Brower Gunderson and Grant Jay Gunderson, the third of eight children.

Gary's character was shaped from a young age on his family's potato farm. On bitterly cold mornings, he milked cows and moved irrigation pipes, and spent his summer days bucking hay bales. When work was done, he was surrounded by the many friends who knew him affectionately as "Jay." After graduating from Rigby High School in 1962, he attended Ricks College and worked in Oregon and Las Vegas before answering a call to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission, headquartered in Chicago.

Following his mission, Gary earned degrees in Philosophy and Psychology from Brigham Young University, where he met Dana, a grocery store clerk who would become his eternal companion. They married on August 28, 1968, in the Salt Lake City Temple. After Gary served one year in the U.S. Army, they welcomed their first child, Jason, in 1969.

Gary's entrepreneurial spirit led him to move his young family to the Chicagoland area, where he built a pool business from the ground up, eventually constructing more than 300 swimming pools. During those years, seven more children joined the Gunderson home. As devoted members of their faith, the family drove hours each week in two station wagons to attend church meetings. Gary helped pour the foundation for their local meetinghouse in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and for the Church's Stake Welfare Farm.

In 1987, Gary's expertise brought his family back to Utah when he was hired to help build Seven Peaks Waterpark. Shortly after their return, the Gunderson's welcomed their ninth child, Zachary. In 1990, Gary founded Castle Rock, a business that manufactured and imported souvenirs.

Those who knew Gary remember his infectious humor, his genuine desire to serve, and his unwavering testimony of the gospel, which he shared with love and natural ease throughout his life. He cultivated deep friendships across all aspects of life—at work, at school, and in his community—with people from many different backgrounds and nationalities. Gary nurtured these relationships by offering whatever was needed: employment, advice, a well-timed joke, a listening ear, or a place to stay. Throughout their lives together, Gary and Dana frequently opened their home to families in need.

Above all, Gary cherished time with his family. He was immensely proud of each of his children and grandchildren, and his love for them was evident in everything he did.

Gary is survived by his wife, Dana; 9 children: Jason of Elk Ridge; Shannon (Chad) of Provo; Joshua (Emily S.) of Orem; Gabriel (Emily B.) of Highland; Nathan (Bonnie) of Orem; Jordan (Julie) of Spanish Fork; Luke (Rachelle) of Payson; Aaron (Emily A.) of Taylorsville; and Zachary (Arianna) of Monroe; daughter-in-law Coreen Hammer of Payson; 41 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

The viewing and funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Salem 2nd Ward LDS Building (60 S Main Street, Salem, UT 84653). The viewing is scheduled for 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM, followed by the funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Interment will take place afterward at 12:30 PM at the Salem City Cemetery (965 South 140 East, Salem, UT 84653).

The funeral service will also be broadcast via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/99754337554.

To leave condolences, visit www.legacyfunerals.com.

 In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Missionary Fund in honor of Gary's love of missionary work. Thank you.