Garald Rex Gregory

Garald Rex Gregory, 82, passed away at home March 21, 2024 one year past a cancer diagnosis. He was born February 5, 1942 to Otto James and Elizabeth Sharp Gregory in Preston, Idaho. Garald was number eight of nine children. He had an idyllic childhood growing up in the rural community of Cub River, Idaho, which he loved. On the family dairy farm, they worked with machinery as well as horse drawn equipment. If he wasn’t hauling hay, milking cows, feeding chickens, chasing kittens, fishing in the creek, or riding horses, you’d find him throwing a ball against the side of the barn (in his spare time between chores). This was the beginning of a lifetime love for sports. This country boy graduated from Preston High School where he participated in sports and played trombone in the high school band. He served a mission in Jackson County Missouri for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His service and devotion in the LDS church throughout the years touched many lives. He accepted many callings, but especially loved Cub Scouts, Elders Quorum, ward and stake clerk positions, temple worker and Bishop. Garald earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. At BYU he didn't let his studies interfere with his participation in baseball, gymnastics, ping pong, ballroom dance... the list goes on. Dating was also a top priority and he met his eternal companion Nyla King. They were sealed in the Logan Temple and lived, loved and gained mortal experiences in this life together. His career as an accountant, his vegetable garden, fruit trees, and farm animals provided for his family of eight children, and also an abundance of work opportunities for the family. He loved his home in Draper and through the years he welcomed children, friends, foreigners (Ksenia, Meera) family, and his own hobo (Price) to live with them.

Following his retirement from BYU financial services in 2009, Garald and Nyla served three senior missions. The first in Johor Bahru Malaysia, where they served as Member Leadership Support Missionaries and fell in love with the people. Their second mission was working in the church office building in Hong Kong overseeing the Perpetual Education Program in Asia. Next they served as temple workers in the historic Palmyra, New York Temple. They loved these priceless opportunities.

Survived by his wife, Nyla, and seven of his children: Carrie Lyn Ottosen (Jeff), Lance Gregory (Jena), Danna Lee Richards (Adam), Katie Veenker (Doug), Sam Gregory, Devan Gregory (Ginny), and Elizabeth Cottle (Tom), 25 grandchildren, and 9 great- grandchildren, along with his brother Darvel Gregory, and sister Janice Kindred. Preceded in death by his parents and son Curtis Rex Gregory, as well as two brothers and four sisters.

Our heartfelt gratitude for so many helping hands- Love, concern and prayers from so many for so long. To Hospice- words aren’t enough- our love for you can’t be adequately expressed. Especially Michelle, who called him Mr. Independence. Thank you to all.

Funeral Plans: Viewing on March 27th, 2024, at Anderson & Goff Mortuary from 6:00-8:00 pm (11859 South 700 East, Draper Utah). Viewing on March 28th, at LDS Chapel, 13366 South 1300 East, Draper Utah, from 9:30-10:30 am. Funeral following at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Draper Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed on the Anderson & Goff Mortuary Facebook Page at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Anderson-Goff-Mortuary-293949407707203/ 
(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)