Gary Reed Barron

Gary Reed Barron
April 27, 1940 – July 4, 2021

Our beloved Gary Reed Barron died of complications due to BVFTD July 4, 2021, on hospice at home in St. George, Utah with his wife by his side. Gary was born in Susanville, California April 27, 1940, to Rita Laura (Smith) Barron and Jacob Reed Barron. Gary married Margie Jean Cox Tuesday, August 14, 1990, in the Jordan River Utah Temple.
He attended Susanville schools including Lassen High School. Gary enjoyed baseball in his youth. He dreamed of being a pitcher in the major leagues. Being left-handed and also ambidextrous helped him win a batting title one year. However, Gary was tackled playing flag football ending up with a broken collar bone requiring surgery with wire. This ended his baseball ambition. Gary spent his teenage summers hucking hay bales at the family ranch in Willow Creek Valley outside of Susanville with high school classmates and a cousin, Ronnie Nielsen. Although the work was hard, Gary had fond memories of these summers.
He graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Economics and then received an MBA from BYU.
Gary owned Cottonwood Ski & Sports in Holladay, UT during the 1980’s. Gary also managed many properties that he owned or co-owned in California from 1973 to 2014 (when he was diagnosed with BVFTD).
Gary’s interests include reading, running, skiing, and water skiing. One of his favorite pastimes was hiking especially in Cedar Mesa, Utah. The scenery was magnificent and the terrain rugged, which made the hiking worthwhile. He knew he was walking in areas inhabited over 1000 years ago. He enjoyed camping there as well.
Gary served multiple missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Including, #1 The French East Mission, which was in France and Switzerland , 1961-1963. #2 He was a Seventy for over two decades and served a successful Stake Mission in the 1970’s. #3 Jamaica Kingston Mission as a church education missionary with his wife Margie, 2003-2005. #4 A family history mission at the Sacramento Regional Family History (genealogy) Center with Margie, 2010-2011. #5 At the age of 50, Gary served a “special mission” when he married Margie Jean Cox (age 42) and gladly took on the role of stepfather to her 5 teen-age children. Their first home as a family was in Granite Bay, CA for 13 years. Several children considered this their hometown. During their marriage, they also lived in Lincoln CA; Rocklin, CA; El Dorado Hills, California and then St. George, Utah. Because Gary was honest, faithful, intelligent, gregarious, and humble these qualities had a profound effect upon Margie and her children. Gary served in several bishoprics and High Priest group leadership positions but his favorite calling was being a Home Teacher. He was a friend to all and saw good in everyone. And, perhaps his most outstanding quality was his integrity. He was fair and honest in all his business dealings and truly a gentleman who had the love of his friends and associates.
Gary is survived by his wife, Margie Barron of St. George, UT, 4 stepchildren: Tyler (Monica) McMillen, Shannon McMillen, Adam (Keyonna) McMillen, Cassie McMillen. Predeceased by stepson Corbin (Rebekah) McMillen February 19, 2021. Grandchildren eventually numbered 21, and they were a great joy to Gary.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 31, 2021, 3:00 pm with a viewing prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:30 pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, UT. Burial will be Thursday, August 5, 2021, 11:00 am at East Lawn Memorial Park, 5757 Greenback Ln, Sacramento, CA 95841.
Friends and family who are unable to attend are invited to view the funeral service online. Please click on the link below:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/56700 .
Our family would like to acknowledge Sun Tree Hospice, Dr. Richard Bennett; Shauntelle Trapp, RN; Kylie Carver & Ronnie Francisco, CNA; Kay Merz, massage therapist; Tricia Reynolds & Jim Dowd, chaplain; Diana, volunteer; Laura Moody Carver, Counselor; Carol Fletcher, MSW; Angela Tipton, CNA. We apologize if we left anyone unnamed, you were wonderful.
Light dinner will be provided at approximately 4:30 pm. Little Valley Stake Center (Fieldstone Ward), 2436 E Crimson Ridge Drive, St. George, UT 84790.
Funeral arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Gary’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com .