WELLINGTON – Gary J. Thayn, Sr. age 88, passed away in his home after a battle with COPD on December 10, 2019.
He was born August 13, 1931 in Wellington to John J. and Della Gillespie Thayn. He married Janet R. Behling in Wellington on May 7, 1981.
Gary was a wild child, did things by his rules (what rules) and loved everything to do with horses. Team roping with Darwin may have been his most favorite thing back in the day. He enjoyed riding club, chariot racing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and countless years training horses. He could build or fix anything (with whatever he could find or make himself). He loved being busy, tinkering around in the shop, golfing, bowling, playing – always trying to make someone laugh, building marshmallow guns to shoot the parade folks or anyone that might be close during Melon Days. He and Jan had so many wonderful adventures, including snowmobiling, riding their motorcycle with/side car, camping, fishing and anything that sounded like it might be fun. When he was 76 he was working with a sorrel colt and was lit up and piled against an iron gate – first time Jody had seen him unseated (he was a tough old fart!) He got up, kicked that colt’s ass (literally), got back on and finished what he started (he ended up ‘black and blue’ from the ordeal). He showed us how to be crazy, have fun and enjoy life. He shared his love of ‘living in the moment’ with all of us – from his jokes to his tall tales and wicked sense of humor. I’m pretty sure he could have charmed the rattles off a snake.
He is survived by his wife, Janet, Wellington; two sons, Gary Ray (Vonda) Thayn, Huntington; Gary Joe (Terry) Thayn, Cheyenne; and two daughters, Jody Thayn, Helper; and Darla (Mark) Barney, Lehi. Also one brother, Larry (Patricia) Thayn, San Antonio; and two sisters, Sharon (Claude) Long, Hyrum; and Bonnie (Wesley) Bitters, Providence; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, John R. Thayn, LeRoy Thayn and Darwin D. Thayn; one sister, Pamela Rose Thayn; Clifford and Ruth Behling, Janet’s parents; LaRita Livingston, mother of his daughter Linda Marchele Craig (deceased) and sons Richard ‘Rick’ Lee Thayn (deceased) and Gary Ray; Sally Foucault, mother of his two daughters, Jody and Darla; Bonnie Naillon, mother of his son Gary Joe; and his grandson Jacob E. Barney, Jody’s son.
A memorial will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Price Chapel (611 Price River Drive) where loved ones will gather to reminisce and celebrate his wild, wonderful life.