Gary James Sumner

Gary James Sumner was born on March 3, 1955 in Price, Utah to Ernest Ray Sumner and Jideen Gardner. He is survived by his mother Jideen, wife Karen, son Ryan (Jen) Sumner, daughters Rachelle Sumner, Andrea (Andi) Bai, Brianna (Robbie) Carter, and 8 loving grandchildren with one more on the way. He is also survived by all of his siblings Renie Williams, Diane Davidson, and Kent Sumner. Gary grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and graduated from Highland High School. When he was 19 he served a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oakland, CA. While serving his mission he caught the eye of a woman home for the summer from BYU. She was sure to look him up when his mission was done and attended his homecoming in Salt Lake City. They then dated and Gary and Karen were later married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 18, 1977. They raised their 4 children primarily in Antioch, CA and lived there for 34 years. Gary spent the majority of his working life alongside his wife running and operating their business Sunshine Carpet Cleaners for 40 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a skill he learned from his own father who also had a carpet cleaning business. Gary and Karen moved to Utah in 2020 and have loved being closer to 3 of their 4 children and half of their grandchildren. Gary had a very creative and active mind. He was always thinking of new and inventive ways of improving the things around him. He was the hardest working man his family has ever known and was always willing to lend a hand even when he was exhausted or in pain. Karen was always grateful for the large and small tasks that he would often be doing to help her and their family. Gary’s true passion has been history and our nation. He has spent considerable time researching, writing, and self-publishing a historical fiction novel,”From Fear to Freedom” and was close to publishing his second novel, “My Dear Nikki.” Gary will be sorely missed by all who are left behind. Gary’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 68 on November 13, 2023 after being in a car accident on November 9th while he was stopped at a red light in Salt Lake City. He was working at the time as a courier for a printing and copying company. Even though he was only with this company for a short time he made many friends due to his charismatic and warm personality. While his family is heartbroken to have him unexpectedly taken away, we know that he is with loved ones in heaven and that we will see him again. Gary’s testimony of our Savior was strong and unwavering. He was truly a righteous man who loved the Gospel and our Lord. When Gary graduated with honors from this mortal life, part of the light and laughter in this world went with him. To help the light and laughter live on please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com. His family would love to hear all of your stories. Gary’s viewing and funeral services will be on Monday, November 20, 2023 at their ward building located at 15429 Iron Horse Blvd. Bluffdale, UT. The viewing will be from 9-10:30 am with the funeral from 11-12. Following the services the interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery in the lower lot. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating so that we can help finish and publish Gary’s book that he was in the final stages of completing. We would love nothing more than to help his legacy live on through his work. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Gary-Sumner To join this meeting remotely please click the following link: https://zoom.us/j/93090879620#success

Gary James Sumner

March 3, 1955 - November 13, 2023