Walter Gary Price

Walter Gary Price graduated from this mortal existence on the morning of 11 December 2024. He was born in Salt Lake City on 4 February 1937 as the first child of Walter Gabriel Ronald (Pete) Price and Edna May Peterson.

Gary grew up primarily in the Avenues of Salt Lake City surrounded by Grandparents and cousins who greatly influenced his life. He had 3 younger sisters, Lynne, and twins Sharon and Susan who lived less than a day. He has long looked forward to meeting them.

Gary’s father was in the army and served in the pacific theatre during WWII. This made Dad the “Man of the house” from the time he was 4 until about 8 years of age. Dad later served in the Army reserve unit with his father.

He had a sharp intellect and loved the pursuit of knowledge. Books were his best friends, and he was very well read. He attended West High School walking uphill both to and from their home on 13th Avenue as he crossed through City Creek Canyon along the way. He graduated from the University of Utah with multiple degrees and certificates culminating in his PhD in Medical Information Systems / Biophysics.

Gary served a 3-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chile and Argentina. This cemented his testimony of the Gospel and his dedication to priesthood service which became hallmarks of his life.

Upon his return from his mission, he met and eventually married his sweetheart Juanita Harmon from Cokeville, Wyo. They met while she was in nursing school doing clinicals at LDS Hospital. They are the parents of 6 children: Jeffrey Lee (Tracy), Patricia Lyn (Grant Jex), David Arthur (Andrea), Douglas Allen (Marcy), Janice (Glen Orr), and Rodney James (Andrea, Jennifer), 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Dad took his role as Patriarch of the family seriously and did his best to teach his posterity the important things in life.

Gary served faithfully in many church callings. The time of greatest spiritual growth came as he served as a Patriarch in the Bountiful Utah Stake, a calling he put his whole heart and soul into. Several of his grandchildren were honored to receive their blessings from him. He stopped giving blessings when he moved into assisted living, but he continued serving by ministering to other residents in the facility and teaching in the branch Elder’s quorum.Dad stood firm in his faith and had no fear of death. He knew where he was going and was eager to move to a sphere where he could once again be free to progress and learn. He looked forward to being with Mom again and we are confident that their reunion was a joyful one. 

Many thanks to neighbors, friends, and family who supported and helped along the way. He loved you and appreciated all you did on his behalf. We are very grateful to the staff and associated caregivers at the Abbington Assisted living facility in Layton. You’ve been a blessing to all of us.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2024 at the Bountiful 31st Ward, 585 East Center Street, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held Friday evening 6:00 - 8:00 pm and Saturday morning from 10:00 - 10:45 am prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.