Gary Michaelson

Gary Wayne Michaelson was born in San Mateo, California on September 22, 1942, to Donald Parley Michaelson and Sylvia Christensen. He was the second of three children. Gary lived in California until he was five. The family then moved to Idaho where he grew up on the family farm in Aberdeen, Idaho. He attended school in Aberdeen where he was nicknamed “Mic” by his school friends. He enjoyed sports, especially basketball and he loved dancing. Gary had a passion for fast cars and was often known for having one of the fastest cars around. He also enjoyed working on them himself, taking pride in their mechanical upkeep and performance.

Gary met Rhea Jean Orgill in Blackfoot, Idaho, in 1960. They were married a year later, on July 7, 1961, in the Blackfoot Third Ward building. Together they welcomed four sons: Rod, Rus, Ray, and Rick. The family was sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 7, 1979. After becoming active in the gospel, Gary devoted his life to serving others and building the kingdom of God. He especially loved missionary work and faithfully served in numerous Church callings.

Their married life began together in Springfield, Idaho where he farmed with his father and older brother Rich. Upon his dad’s retirement, Gary purchased the family farm in Sterling, Idaho where they raised their four boys. He worked together with his sons and wife where their days were filled with raising sheep, cattle and growing a variety of crops.

In 1983 they sold the family farm and purchased a home in Pingree, Idaho. Gary then partnered with his oldest son Rod and established Rockford Repair, Inc. a manufacturing, welding and electrical company.

They built their retirement home in Leslie, Idaho on the Big Lost River in 2003. Together, Gary and Rhea felt the love of the Savior while serving in the Idaho Falls Temple for 22 years, where they found lasting joy and fulfillment. In 2009, they accepted a call to serve an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Omaha, Nebraska.

The past five years were spent in Sugar City, where Gary and Rhea enjoyed living closer to family. It was there that Gary became affectionately known as "the Popsicle Man," a nickname earned through his simple joy of handing out popsicles each summer to the neighborhood children.

Gary died at home on June 29, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Richard, and his son Raymond. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Rhea; his children, Rodney (Natalie), Russel (Michelle), and Rick (Nadene); his daughter-in-law, Nicole, widow of Raymond; his sister Kathleen Hoffer; 22 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren on the way.

Funeral Services for Gary will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at the Sugar City Stake Center, 25 West 3rd South, Sugar City, ID 83448. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Sugar City Cemetery.