Gary Morse

Our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend left his earthly body on October 8th, 2018 at the age of 83, after suffering a heart attack on his daily morning walk. Gary was born on June 6, 1935 in Wellsville, UT to Brigham and Susie Morse, and was raised in Hyde Park, UT. He attended grade school there, went on to attend Smithfield Jr High and graduated from North Cache High School in 1953. While there he played on the high school baseball team, and later on coached a youth team. Gary was a lover of all sports! He also played church basketball, tennis, pitched on a fast pitch softball team, bowled and played golf…..but “not worth a dam”, according to him. Many trophies prove otherwise! Hunting and fishing were also enjoyed in his younger years.
Gary attended Utah State Agricultural College (now USU) for a year before attending barber college in Salt Lake City in 1956. While getting his training he would regularly visit Primary Children’s Hospital to cut the kids hair, and then take time to give them piggy back rides around the hospital. He barbered for 29 years, the majority of his career being spent at Spence Barber Shop on the corner of 400 S. and Main Street in Logan, UT. After suffering a heart attack in 1985, he was forced to quit his beloved career. He then became the Head Custodian at Hillcrest Elementary School, where he worked for 14 years. He was loved and respected by the students, teachers and administrators and received 2 Employee of the Year awards from the Logan City School District. Gary was blessed with a great sense of humor and the gift of gab, which served him well in both careers. He especially enjoyed teasing and joking with the kids. Gary had quadruple bypass surgery in 1998 and he and Deanna retired together in 1999.
He met Deanna N. Hall, from Logan, UT at a dance in 1956. They were wed on Gary’s 22nd birthday in 1957 in Hyde Park, and honeymooned in Montana. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple on June 9th, 1965. Gary and Deanna were blessed with 3 children, Linda, Steven and Susan Morse. In 2000 they purchased a 2nd home in Canyon Cove retirement community in St. George, UT to spend the winter months, and to get to spend time with his eldest daughter’s family. They lived in the family home in Hyde Park until 2003 and then built a new home in Smithfield.
They enjoyed traveling, cruising, exploring and spending time with family and friends, and were very much in love to the end. In recent years he has been a compassionate caregiver to his sweetheart, Deanna, who suffers with Alzheimer’s.
In a nutshell, Gary loved life, and everyone that knew him, loved him. He had an amazingly positive attitude, and got a kick out of joking around with friends and family, and especially teasing the grandkids. Daily “tea” was a special part of most mornings, getting to spend time with buddies, both in Smithfield and St. George, solving the worlds problems one cup at a time. Gary was always there to talk to, to offer advice, or to lend a helping hand. His nicknames for family members and funny phrases will be missed by us all. And, even though the family and friends left behind on earth are heartbroken, the family and friends in heaven are overjoyed to welcome you home! See you in the funnies Dad!!
Gary is survived by his wife, Deanna, 3 children; Linda (Keith) Johnson, Steven Gary Morse and Susan Priestley, 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 3 brothers; Clyde (Linda), Ron (Peggy) and Wendell (Linda) Morse.
A viewing will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary at 34 East Center St., Logan, UT on Tuesday evening, October 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and on Wednesday, Oct. 17th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, followed by the funeral service. Interment will be in the Hyde Park Cemetery.
We would like to thank friends and neighbors for your kind words and gestures toward our family at this difficult time.