Gary LaGrande Woonsook
3-15-1943 - 1-26-2014
Gary LeGrande Woonsook, 70, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014 surrounded by his family.
He was born March 15, 1943 in Malad, Idaho, to Henry and Rhoda Woonsook. As a young boy he attended the Bannock Creek Day School and later Hillcrest Elementary in American Falls. Gary graduated from American Falls High School in 1963. He enlisted in the Navy, went through boot camp, and shipped out. Due to a medical problem, he received a medical discharge, and was not able to serve his country as much as he hoped.
He married Paula Marie Hansen March 12, 1976 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They have three children, Spencer, Necha, and Boe.
While attending high school, Gary spent his summers working for farmers and ranchers hauling hay and driving truck. He also worked as a firefighter for the Boise National Service. Gary attended ISU and earned a certificate as a Civil Engineer Tech. Gary worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in the roads and irrigation department, for over 33 years. He did drafting, surveying, and ditch riding. He also became an assistant Water Master. Sometimes, he would take his vacation time and work in the harvest driving a beet or spud truck. He retired from the Bureau on January 2, 2007 after working hard all his life. He later worked for the Shoshone Bannock Tribes with the water resource department for a short time until he retired.
Gary is a member of the L.D.S. church and served a mission in the South West Indian Mission. He served in various callings such as Sunday School President, Seventies Quorum President, and Branch President just to name a few.
Gary loved to go hunting with his sons and grandsons. He loved being outdoors enjoying the land and wildlife, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Paula; sons, Spencer (Angie) Woonsook, Boe (Ashley) Woonsook; daughter, Necha (Claudio) Montelongo; his grandchildren, Zack, Kelsey, Treasure, Crew, Kambria, Estevan, Brandon, and Shawn. His close relatives, Howard (Vergene) Hardy, Lila Jones, Ina Giokios, Karen Jackson, Gloria Jackson, Tina Gallegeos, and Cathy Afriad of Bear.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Rhoda Woonsook, 6 brothers and 2 sisters.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 6-8pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11am at the Pocatello West Stake Center located on the corner of Hawthorne of Eldredge in Pocatello, with a viewing one hour prior to the funeral at 10am. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with military honors by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.