Gary Blank

Gary L. Blank, age 70 of Grand View, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 2, 2015, at his home, comforted by his dedicated wife who loved him so completely. Funeral services with military honors, will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2015, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.

Gary was born March 12, 1944, in Los Angeles, the son of Betty (Bates) and Lester H. Blank. He worked as a newspaper boy as a child, and after graduating from school he joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War.

Gary dated his high school sweetheart, Diane Rosenthal, for five years, they were married May 21, 1966, and were later sealed in 1976, in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.

Gary's occupations included a retail clerk, he franchised a 7-11 store, Calavar Operator, Northrop Aircraft, Sinclair Kopper, Shell Oil refineries in both California and Illinois and retired from the Grand View Simplot Livestock and Feed as their lead mechanic.

He professionally umpired softball leagues in California, Melba and Grand View, played Santa Claus, was the emcee for Grand View Days, was a volunteer for the Grand View Fire Department and their mechanic.

Gary was playful, funny, a trickster, mischievous, spontaneously witty, and he was unforgettable and influenced many who knew him.

Gary is survived by his adoring wife, Diane; his daughters, Carrie Ruth Blank and Roxanne Hunt with her husband James; his sister, Suzanne Surridge; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, one brother and one grandson.

Donations in Gary's memory can be sent to the American Legion Patriot Riders, P.O. Box 126, Mountain Home, ID 83647.