Our beloved husband, dad and grandpa passed away on January 12, 2019 surrounded by his close family after a yearlong battle with colon and liver cancer.
Gary was born on February 12, 1952 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Jim and Ilona Holyoak. He was the second of three boys.
From an early age, Gary was naturally athletic and showed interest in a number of sports. He played football, basketball and golf, but his true passion was baseball. Gary joined his first baseball team at the age of 4 and played on organized teams well into adulthood. He excelled at first base and was awarded a scholarship to play for the University of Utah.
Gary lived in Las Vegas until the age of 15, when his family moved to Salt Lake City. He graduated from Granite High School in 1970 before attending the University of Utah. He had a lifelong love of the Utes and was proud to be a member of the athletic alumni. He was a season football ticket holder for many years and traveled to many away games to cheer on his Utes. Gary supported the team by wearing red every game day.
Gary had four children from his first marriage that he loved dearly and raised in Sandy, Utah. He was a proud father who loved talking to others about his kids. In 1998, Gary married Kathy Brooks Dingus in the Salt Lake Temple. Gary and Kathy spent 10 years living in Clackamas, Oregon, before moving back to Sandy, where they lived until the time of his death. He and Kathy enjoyed traveling together. Some of their favorite memories include going to University of Utah football games and trips to Norway, Hawaii and Gary’s favorite, West Yellowstone.
Gary began his career as a butcher at Beehive Poultry, but quickly found a niche within the trucking industry. During his career, he held various positions from a dock worker up to the Vice President of Transportation. Gary worked for Garrett Freight Lines, PST Vans, USF Reddaway, SAIA and most recently, Central Freight where he worked until his retirement in December of 2017. Gary loved to travel from terminal to terminal each summer to hold a BBQ for all of the employees and their families. He would BBQ steaks, chicken and cook omelets to order, with his wife alongside. He knew the employees all by name, grilled their steaks to the individual’s perfection, and was held in the highest respect by all.
Gary’s greatest joy was his family and he cherished spending time with them. He loved to attend sporting events with them and cook their favorite foods. He had a very special and unique relationship with each one of us and we will miss him dearly.
Gary is survived by his wife Kathy (Sandy), four children, Shannon Forrest (Clint, Centerville), Jaime Beckstead (Ryan, Herriman), Kody Holyoak (Amy, Layton), Ashlie Edwards (Brandon, West Haven), two stepchildren, Cody Dingus (Jennie, Highland), Nikki Dingus (Sandy), 17 grandchildren, his brother, Bill Holyoak (Linda, Salt Lake), and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Ilona Holyoak, and his brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Blake Holyoak.
Per Gary’s wishes, he will be cremated and his interment will be held at a later date. A Celebration of Life (Gary’s last tailgate) will be held for family and friends on Thursday, January 17, 2019, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah 84107.
Gary’s family wishes to thank Quality Hospice, the nurses, aide and other staff members, for the care and love they gave during his last months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.
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