Kenneth Gary Hyde

Our Father Husband, Grandfather and Brother, Kenneth Gary Hyde was born December 17, 1943, in Ogden, Utah and graduated from this life on July 3, 2024. He was surrounded by his family. The last few days each of us were given the rare gift of sharing our goodbyes with dad both individually and together as a family. One of Dads greatest life lessons he shared with all of us was understanding the importance of family. When trials would come to our family over the years, as they do to all here in mortality, dad would often say “it’s time to circle the wagons.” He understood that the greatest gift in life was our family and with family we could conquer any challenge together. Proud of his pioneer heritage and his name, he made sure all that knew him, knew he was a HYDE. As we grieve the loss of him, we are grateful for the reunion he is having on the other side with his parents, grandparents, and siblings Mary Jo, and Ronnie who he missed deeply over the years. 

 The seeds of Gary’s joy for life, family, and nature were sown early. At the age of 4, he took his first ski run with his father at Snowbasin's School Hill rope tow, igniting a lifelong passion for the mountains and the outdoors. He also cherished his school days at Lorin Farr Elementary, especially his role as drum major of Mister Minner’s Drum and Bugle Corps, proudly sporting an all-white uniform with a burgundy stripe down the pant leg. While participating in the summer drum corps, he marched in numerous parades, including Brigham City Peach Days, Ogden’s 4th of July parade, the Santa Claus Parade, and Ogden’s Pioneer Days Rodeo Parade. His love for these events deepened his passion for the things that would shape his life from a love of horses, and the old West, to the cheerful spirit of Christmas.

 Gary attended and graduated from Ogden High School in 1961 and was proud that our family has had three generations of Hyde’s graduate from Ogden High. Gary would later serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada Mission. He did not leave at the same age as his peers. Dad never was one to follow the pack. He wanted to make sure that things were done in his time and on his terms. Additionally, He wanted to make sure he was doing things for the right reasons. Gary never pursued anything in life half-way. Once committed, he was all in. This perspective would become part of Gary’s decision-making process the rest of his life.

 On January 13, 1967, Gary married Margie Thurgood. They were married for 13 years and had three children together: Joey, Julie and Danielle. Although they later separated, they have remained close friends to this day.

 In 1982 Gary met Jan Timmerman and was set up on a blind date by friends. It was a casual date, dad liked to refer to those as a “coke date.” A quick and fun way to get to know someone. It quickly turned into a conversation that would carry late into the evening until Jan had to begin her graveyard shift after 11:00pm at the St. Benedicts Hospital. Gary was so proud of mom being a registered nurse and always made it a point to let everyone know. They were married in the Ogden temple on May 20, 1983, and together had three children: Bryan, Curtis and Melissa. As they say, the rest is history.

 Gary dedicated many years of service as a member of the Utah National Guard and later worked at Hill Air Force Base. He proudly served as a member of the Weber County Sheriff’s Posse, where he forged enduring relationships that continued with our family all these years later. His gentle connection with horses was a sight to behold. He had a way with them, it was as if they understood one another. Well, except that one time mom looked out the front window and saw dad being drug around the pasture by his horse. She ran out to him as he was able to free his leg and when asked if he was ok said, “Well that was fun.” …. And possibly some colorful language followed. Gary loved our country and was quietly patriotic. Wherever our family lived over the years, dad made sure to have a flagpole in the front yard flying Old Glory.

 Gary was stubborn, but kind, Loud, yet gentle, firm, but understanding. All the critical ingredients that made him the best father we could have ever asked for. Regardless of his bravado, brashness and straight forward talk, you knew that he loved you more than anything in the world and would give you the shirt off his back or lay his life down for you if the situation required it. There was never a question of where you stood with him. He was a genuine man, and people who took the time to understand the complex character of Gary Hyde loved him for who he was.

 Dad had a wonderful sense of humor and had an infectious laugh that will be missed by us all. He loved poetry… as long as it was written by him and had a way with sharing his advice with all of us on how to navigate life. He did not mince words with his views on education. Dad would say, “you can have all the degrees and education in the world, but if you do not have a degree in common sense, you have nothing.”

 Gary would add “there are two kinds of people in this life: givers and takers and talkers and doers. Don’t be a taker, be the giver, and don’t be a talker, be a doer” Gary was always quick to advise us all on taking information from outside influences he would say, “None are so wise as the ignorant for they know all they wish.”

 Known for his button nose and jovial demeanor, Gary found immense joy in embodying Santa Claus. For decades, he delighted in dressing up as Santa for holiday events, embodying the spirit of Christmas with unmatched warmth and cheer. Dressed up as Santa clause, he would go skiing with his brother Jeff and hand out candy canes to everyone. He even drove a school bus in later years, helping him know who was on the naughty or nice list. Even his love for Hallmark’s Christmas in July was infectious, keeping the spirit alive year-round.

 Dad’s greatest joy was his posterity. He loved his children, always concerned about our well-being and was always there to council with or give us a father’s blessing. He loved his grandkids and never missed an opportunity to come to the hospital and welcome another Hyde to the family. You never leave mom and dad’s house without dad rising from his chair, taking a pause from whatever he was doing to come and wrap his arms around you, with a kiss on the cheek, expressing how much he loved and appreciated you. That’s Just who Gary was.

 Dad had a great love for his Savior Jesus Christ and his Father in Heaven. He would often encourage us to “council with the man upstairs” while seeking direction and navigating through life. He did not always make every opinion he had public but always kept a quiet watchful eye over the family.

 The world and our family has lost a light, but we have no doubt he is still quietly watching. Get ready heaven Gary Hyde is at the Gates. We love you Dad, not goodbye, but talk to you soon!

 Love you Pop.

 Gary is survived by his wife Jan T. Hyde and their six children, Joey, Julie, Danielle, Bryan, Curtis, and Melissa and his brother Jeff Perkins Hyde and 18 grandchildren*

 He is preceded in death by His parents Ken Hyde and Fern Perkins, His brother Ronnie, His sister Mary Jo, Uncle Dean Perkins, Aunt Genice Roghaar, and Grandson Noah Vaughn.

 Funeral Services will be held Thursday July 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton Stake Center 1015 N. Emerald Dr., Layton, Utah. Friends may visit family Wednesday July 10, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary located at 400 N. Main St. Kaysville, Utah 84037, and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 at the church.