Gary Leon Talbot

Gary Leon Talbot, age 73, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2022 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Preston, Idaho on April 19, 1949 to Henry Leon Talbot and Clara Mattie Noe. He lived many places in Idaho in his childhood and was the oldest of 11 children. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served a mission in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida that included Georgia. He loved the people in the south and spoke fondly of his experiences there throughout his life. He met the love of his life in Rexburg, Idaho. 

He married Jeanne Frances Turner in the Idaho Falls Temple on November 24, 1971. They have lived in Rexburg, Springfield, Goshen, Atomic City, Moreland, and then back to Goshen Idaho for the remainder of their time together. They had 7 children and loved them very much.

He went to school and received an associates in geology at Ricks College in 1972 and was also a ceramics teacher’s assistant there. He also went to Idaho State University and received his bachelors of fine arts in 2003.

He has been recognized for his artwork by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the church museum art contests. He received honorable mention in the 2019 Book of Mormon Central Art Contest for his painting “ General Moroni’s Fortifications at Noah”. It can be seen at the following link: General Moroni's Fortifications at Noah | Book of Mormon Central

He worked as a Forest Service and BLM Firefighter which included a fire watchman on the Big Southern Butte for 6 years. He was a self-employed stonemason and had a business called Thorn River Art and Sign. He did a lot of signs, fireplaces, and stoned fronts for businesses and homes like Hard Times II in Shelley.

His hobbies included painting, pottery, sculpting, hunting and fishing, being in the mountains, horse riding and learning about history, archeology and space. His favorite hobby was probably spending time with his grandkids in many ways. He also loved to tell people about his ancestors, firefighting experiences and artwork.

He was a crew chief at the BLM and loved the men that he worked with. He taught Art at the high school in Fort Hall Indian Reservation. He enjoyed his callings in Sunday School and as a ward missionary. He loves the people in his life and made it his life work to reach out to those around him.

He was a bit known for drawing on the napkins in the restaurants he visited. He would just leave them with the tip. There are a few that hang in Restaurants from Cache Valley Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, to Russia.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne who resides in Shelley, Idaho. His children Ammon (Audrey) of Wylie, Texas, Ethan (Andrea) of Smithfield, Utah, Heidi Christensen(Nathan) of Hyrum, Utah, Annette Francis (Carl) of Hyrum, Utah, Daniel (Stephanie) of Blackfoot, Idaho, Shane (Sally) of Shelley, Idaho, John Stuart (Natalie) of Firth, Idaho. He has 39 grandchildren who he loves dearly. Surviving siblings include: Randy (Deanna) of Felt, Idaho, Brady (Michelle) of Moreland, Idaho, Tim (Jamie) of Moreland, Idaho, Todd (Esperanza) of Moreland, Idaho, Marshall (Cynthia) of Kimberly, Idaho, Sydney Talbot of Menan, Idaho, Elaine (Brent) Gunderson of Menan, Idaho, Kathy (Bruce) Werner of Menan, Idaho, Julie (Robert) Henderson of Rigby, Idaho, Donna (Lloyd) Bigelow of Rexburg, Idaho. He has 56 nieces and nephews, 214 great nieces and nephews, and 6 great-great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 9 aunts and uncles: Gwen (Ernie) Gregerson, Donna (Glen) Sayer, June (Dean) Handy, Audrey (Wayne) Veil, Dora (Gordon) Oxborrow, Janice (Howard) Thatcher, Ken (Dion) Talbot, Keith ( Mabel) Talbot, and baby Gary (his namesake).

The family would like to thank the staff at Portneuf Regional Medical Center who helped us give him the best situation possible for his final days. Thanks to his nurse Krystal from Symbii Hospice in Hyrum, Utah as well. Her help was also very appreciated.

We also wish to thank the friends and neighbors that have been there for them in their tough times. They were exceptional in their love and compassionate service.

There will be a visitation held at the Basalt Ward Building on Friday December 16, 2022 from 6 to 8 pm. A second viewing will be held on Saturday morning December 17, 2022 at the Presto - Goshen Ward Building from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the funeral services at 11:00 a.m. For those not able to attend the services in person, there will be a streaming video feed that can be viewed by following this link https://youtu.be/qS7b9gz4bKo 

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