Garry Edward Parkinson, 88, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023 at his home. Born November 28, 1934, in Rexburg, Idaho to Edward H. Parkinson and Grace Larsen Parkinson, Garry was their first child. During his early childhood he worked on the family farm on the Rexburg Bench. He loved working with his father and they had a close relationship all of their lives. In his youth, he developed a love for horses, cows, and ranching. He graduated from Madison High School in 1953 where he excelled in football, basketball, and track.

In high school, Garry and Mary Jean Rigby went on a double date. Even though they had different dates, Garry and Mary Jean ended up talking the whole night. They were married November 10, 1954 in the Idaho Falls Temple and enjoyed a close companionship for almost 69 years. They worked together, raised a family together, enjoyed sports together, and had a life-long friendship.

At Ricks College, Garry played basketball, football, and ran track. He was especially known for his speed. BYU wanted him to play football but they wanted him to live in the dorms with the team. Because he was married, he chose not to play football and concentrate on his studies. After earning a bachelor's degree from BYU, Garry began working on his master's degree. Then he received a persuasive phone call from Glenn Dalling asking him to coach at Sugar-Salem. At Sugar-Salem, he taught the boys in school, coached them after school, and was their scoutmaster/teacher on Sundays. He loved working with the youth all of his life. He easily connected with them and positively influenced many lives. His children and grandchildren, of course, had front-row seats.

Garry farmed, ranched, taught and coached. He was successful as a coach. His teams won state championships in 1962, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991. He was named coach of the year several times and National High School Coach of the Year in 1991. He retired from the Madison School District in 2000 and returned to ranching with his son-in-law and his grandsons.

A life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served as Bishop and in many other callings. Along with his wife, they served as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls Temple. In 2005-2006, they served an LDS mission to Rapid City, South Dakota.

Garry is survived by his wife and his seven children, Debbie (Lynn) Briggs of Holladay, UT; Robert (Tracey) of Rexburg, ID; Layne (Traci) of Lehi, UT; Mike (Julie) of Rexburg, ID; Kathy (Ryan) Adamson of Eagle, ID; Jeff (Kellee) of Salem, UT; Ryan (Becka) of Simi Valley, CA; and his sister, Beth (Tom) Washburn of Grace, ID. Garry and Mary Jean have 28 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held under the direction of Bishop Dallin Hansen at the Rexburg North Stake Center located at 314 E 2nd N at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 16, 2023. A viewing will be Sunday evening, October 15, 2023, at Flamm Funeral Home, in Rexburg, from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center before the service.

The family would like to thank Aspen Home Health and Hospice, especially Merrilee Dalling Hiatt, and other care givers for their special care.

Service will be broadcasted at: https://my.gather.app/remember/garry-parkinson