Gary DeLeeuw Obituary

In loving memory of James "Gary" DeLeeuw, a man of unwavering faith, love, and integrity.

James Gary DeLeeuw of Greenwich, Utah returned to his Father in Heaven on February 27, 2025 in Mountain Green, Utah, where he passed peacefully surrounded by his family.

He was born in Richfield, Utah on November 13, 1935 to Alvin Henry and Mary DeVeave Brindley DeLeeuw. 

He grew up in Pioche, Nevada where he attended Elementary School and Lincoln County High School in Panaca, Nevada. He was active in football, baseball and band. His high school friends would often tell of a tournament in Las Vegas where he pitched a game with an impressive 19 straight strike outs. After High School, he attended BYU where he played baseball his Freshman year. The following year, he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in The Netherlands for 3 years. After his mission, he joined the National Guard. 

On January 10, 1963 he married the love of his life, Ruth Michelle Nelson in the Manti LDS Temple. They shared 62 wonderful years together. They are the parents of six children, 26 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. 

Gary loved to work. He was never Idle. During his life, he was a butcher, a bookstore manager for BYU, a weight and balance tech for the minute man missile program, a dairyman, a water master, retired from the U.S. Forest Service and always a farmer. 

Gary was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving as a Manti Temple worker, Young Men's President, Sunday School Teacher, Bishopric councilor, and fulfilling two full time missions, one in The Netherlands and another in Adam-Ondi-Ahman with his wife Michelle, where he deepened his love for his Savior and Lord. Gary taught and lived the values of prayer, faith, hope, serving his neighbors no matter how inconvenient, and always doing what is right. He instilled the value of worship to his children. Sunday mornings you would often hear him say, "If you're well enough to stay out all night, you're well enough to go to church." 

Family was everything to Gary. He affectionately referred to his children as "My Beauty" when greeting them. He loved playing golf with his children and achieved two Holes-in-one. He taught his children to golf in the alfalfa field, always mindful of the crows that would steal the balls if not quickly gathered. 

Gary enjoyed playing the guitar and singing songs by Marty Robbins and John Denver.

Gary is survived by his wife Mickey, sons: Brad DeLeeuw of Lehi, Scott (Brenda) DeLeeuw of St. George, Steven (Kathryn) DeLeeuw of Bountiful, Michael (Tami) DeLeeuw of St. George. Daughters: Debra (Robert) Zink of Mountain Green, Kristen (Kevin) Fenn of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Sheryl DeLeeuw (Daughter in Law) Saratoga Springs.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Kay DeLeeuw and Farrell DeLeeuw, grandsons: Benjamin and Gunner Zink. 

James Gary DeLeeuw's life was marked by his devotion to his family, his faith, and his community. His legacy of love, hard work, and honesty, and the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled will be remembered by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all. 

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 17, 2025, at 12:00 Noon in the Koosharem Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing from 10:00 - 11:30 A.M. prior to services. 

Burial will be at the Koosharem Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina.