Gary Lee Swift

Gary passed away quietly at home, after a long battle with Parkinson’s, to join his eternal companion. He was the son of Raymond and Lucile Swift. He grew up in Ogden, Utah with his sister and two brothers and graduated from Ben Lomond High School.

He met his sweetheart, LaNaun, at Utah State University at a church dance just prior to his mission where he served in Perth, Australia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he returned, they married on September 3, 1970 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were married for 50 years before he lost her to cancer.

They spent time in Mesa, Arizona while he was stationed at USAF Hospital, Williams AFB. He was a Sergeant in the Psychological Training Unit, training pilots in understanding the operation of the environmental life support system.

When they returned to Utah he graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked as a government contracted civilian his entire career at L3 Communications.

Gary spent most of his life guiding and mentoring young men as a Scoutmaster in the BSA program. Because of his love and dedication to the scouts he received the Silver Beaver award. He also enjoyed his time as a range safety officer at Wahsatch Gun Glub. Fly fishing was another passion that he loved to share with others.

Gary was always willing to help, but mostly he was the neighborhood “fix-it” guy. If you needed it, he had it. If it was broken, he would fix it. If he couldn’t fix it, you didn’t need it.

Gary had a fierce devotion to his grandchildren and they brought many smiles and hours of enjoyment to his life. He was deeply involved in all of their activities and passions and was always available to help them in anything they were needing.

Gary leaves behind four children, Shereen (Lyle) Zaugg, Tonya Nielsen, Ryan (Cassie) Swift, Michelle (Jordan) Robison, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren; two brothers Scott (Claire) Swift and Jan (Larene) Swift.

Funeral services will be held at 11am, Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the Kaysville Spencer Ward Main Street Chapel, 500 S. Main Street, Kaysville. Friends and family may visit Wednesday between 6-8pm at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N. Main St., Farmington, or Thursday between 9:30-10:30am at the church. Interment will be at Kaysville City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com.

The funeral service will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page (click here) and on this obituary page below, where it will appear 10-15 minutes prior to the funeral service at 11am. 

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Seini Talamai and her family for the wonderful love and care given to Gary over the past year. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.