Gary Wayne Croft

Our loving husband, father, and grandfather, Gary Wayne Croft, passed away peacefully December 29, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family, after a long, courageous battle with dementia.

He was born August 6, 1950, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to James Samuel Croft and Merle Ernestine Andrews. He was the oldest of four siblings: Elden, Val, and Janae. He lived with his family in Ogden, Utah, and Shelley, Idaho. He was a graduate of Shelley High School and attended Ricks College for a time.

Gary served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Uruguay/Paraguay mission 1969 – 1971.

He married Pam Thompson April 5, 1974, in the Idaho Falls Temple. He built their home in Basalt, where they raised their eight children. Gary worked for Chesbro Music Company for 45 years in sales and as a warehouse manager until his retirement in 2019.

Gary was active in the LDS church where one of his greatest joys was serving others. He served as a Sunday School teacher, Counselor, and President, Elder’s Quorum President, Bishopric Counselor, Spanish Branch Presidency Counselor, and Stake High Counselor.

He enjoyed raising birds for pet stores, raising and racing pigeons, puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, reading, and watching the Utah Jazz.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pam, and children: Nichole deJong (Dwaine) of Basalt, Kristen of Basalt, Kendall (Autumn) of Saratoga Springs, UT, Brian (Beth) of Shelley, Shauna Anderson of Idaho Falls, Brad (Kandyce) of Ammon, Andrea Decker (Trevor) of Cortez, CO, and Katie Hall (Mitch) of Idaho Falls; siblings: Elden of Idaho Falls, Val (Kalene) of Idaho Falls, and Janae of Seattle, WA; twenty-six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Chris at Symbii Home Health and Hospice for the care that he provided.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Firth Stake Center, 823 N 675 E in Basalt. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W Oak Street in Shelley and Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Basalt Cemetery.

Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast at the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/91300571975

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