Gary Magnuson

Gary A. Magnuson, 87, of West Valley City, Utah, passed away on January 13, 2021. He was the son of Charles and Ada Fay (Jeffs) Magnuson. He was born in Castle Dale, Utah. and was the ninth of ten children - Bruce, Twila, Jennise, Valora, Paul, Norma, Jack, Elda and Ruth. He married Pamela Estella Peterson (Mouritsen) in the Salt Lake Temple on May 28, 1982.

His was a life of service to God, country, and his fellow man.  He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Canadian Mission; Hanoi, Vietnam (Humanitarian); Melbourne, Australia (Office); Kirtland Historical Sites, Ohio; and held many other ward/stake callings. He ushered at the Tabernacle at Temple Square for Sunday broadcasts, conferences and special events for over 24 years and also performed in the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti for over a decade. He enjoyed serving with numerous friends and patrons in the Jordan River Temple through December 2019.

Gary joined the U.S. Air Force, after he graduated from South Emery High School, prior to his missionary service.  After he returned, he enrolled in Carbon Jr. College (Price), acted in the Utah Shakespearean Festival while attending the College of Southern Utah and attended B.Y.U. where he earned his B.A. and M.S. degrees. He remained a loyal BYU Cougar.

He spent most of his career as a speech pathologist in the Granite School District, helping countless students improve their speech. He loved entertaining with his magic tricks, creating balloon animals and telling jokes. He took great pride in his gardening and landscaping and enjoyed researching his Swedish ancestry. He brought smiles to many with his quick wit. Gary loved making new friends and helping others. People loved to be around him.

Gary is survived by his wife, Pam; and Mouritsen children:  Michael Glen (Danielle), Gregory Neal (Regan), Caryn (Brett Cherry), Emily (deceased), David Jeffrey (Candace) Mouritsen, 15 grandchildren (Lily, deceased) and his sisters, Elda Brinkerhoff and Ruth Christiansen.

A private family viewing and funeral service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021, for immediate family. He will be buried in the Provo City Cemetery with military funeral honors, performed by the American Legion Post #72.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at St. Mark’s Hospital and Legacy Village Rehabilitation in Taylorsville, who most recently cared for Gary after his stroke with great compassion.