- Date Of Birth: April 29, 1937
- Date Of Death: April 7, 2022
- State: Idaho
Garry Matthews Crook passed away at home with his family on April 7, 2022 due to ongoing health issues. He was just a few weeks from his 85th birthday. He was born April 29, 1937 to
Ernest Ray & Esther Sarah Matthews Crook in the hospital at Afton, WY. He was the third child and second son in the family. His brother, Kendall Ray Crook, passed away at 8 years old
on Jan. 15, 1941. His sister, Sharon Crook Wells, passed away Feb. 16, 2012. Up until he left home Garry worked alongside his dad on the farm. At 12 he joined the Boy Scouts of America and earned the Eagle Scout award when he was 15. In 1953 he attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Irving Ranch, California with a group of scouts from Star Valley. During high school he lettered two years in basketball and football. He also played a tuba in the band. He was president of his class his junior year. Garry was recognized by the Univ. of Wyoming as an Honor Scholar of Star Valley High School, and received a four-year scholarship to that school. He graduated in June of 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Garry met Karlene on a blind date through her roommate in 1957 and they were married November 18th, 1960, in the Mesa AZ Temple. They lived in Salt Lake City for 2 years then
made their home in Idaho Falls where Garry worked at the Idaho Nuclear Reactor Site for 8 years. In 1971 they moved to his childhood home in Fairview, WY to raise their six children on
the farm, where he lived the rest of his life. Garry loved listening to local sports on the radio and watching the games online when they were broadcast. He followed his kids and grandkids sports, music, and other activities and attended all the games and concerts he could. He had a great interest and knowledge of Star Valley history. He collected and organized all the historical documents, histories, and photos he could of the valley and his ancestors. He was elected to the board of supervisors of the Star Valley Conservation District and served for over 30 years, the majority of those years as
chairman. He was passionate about the wise use and conservation of our natural resources in the valley. Through hard work and careful management Garry was able to have a prosperous dairy
farm as he raised a family and saved for retirement. His greatest joy in life came from raising his children and celebrating their accomplishments, as well as those of his grandchildren. He
Karlene preceded him in death on Oct. 18, 2021. He leaves behind their 6 children: Lynn (Lesa), Darrin (Carol), Kendall (Cay), Matthew (Stephanie), Lynette (Matt) and Lance (Cecily),
21 grandkids, 5 great-grands
