Gary Stowell

Gary Joseph Stowell, 68, of Mountain Home, passed away at his home on Jan. 31, 2017, in the arms of his family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Old Stake Center, and burial with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

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

Gary was born April 4, 1948, in Ogden, Utah, to Verland and Grace Stowell. He grew up on the family ranch in Rowland, Nev.

He attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse on the Bruneau River. He loved the cows and horses. Each one had a name.

Gary worked hand-in-hand with his dad and brothers in every aspect of running a cattle ranch. All the hay was put up with a team of horses and hand stacked. His first love was his saddle horses and the many draft horses he trained to ride and pull.

Gary attended high school in Elko. The family traveled back and forth on weekends to help at the ranch. After graduation, he went to BYU for a semester but decided ranch life was where his heart was. He joined the National Guard to serve his country but also to be able to help his father run the ranch.

In the fall of 1974, he met the love of his life, Marsha McMahan. They were married in the Oakland LDS Temple on Aug. 30, 1975. They spent the first winter together in Southern California where he broke saddle horses for Rancho Grande. Several years later, he moved back to the family ranch in Rowland.

He raised seven children, and for many boys who worked the ranch, Gary, was like a father to them. He taught his children to work hard, love the stock and the land.

For 20 years, he was a Nevada brand inspector and the mail carrier between Rowland, Nev., and Grasmere, Idaho. He was a very gentle man.

Five years ago, he was forced to leave his beloved ranch. He pulled up roots and joined his wife in Mountain Home. His new passion was buying homes on auction. His dream was to flip these homes and purchase another ranch. He was called to be the librarian at church. He loved this new calling.

August 2016, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He fought a tough battle but lost to a lung infection. He was dearly loved by his family and friends.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Marsha; five sons, Ryan Stowell, Robby Stowell, Marc Stowell, Travis (Charlotte) Stowell and Brandon (Alyssa) Stowell; two daughters, Sherry Stowell-Heath and Anna (Matt) Severe; his grandchildren, Eric, Tyler, Kayalee, Kenneth, JJ, Kimber, Adin, Reata, Skeeter, Jaycee, Quincy, Bobby, Addalynn, Ivy and Abria with two more on the way; two brothers, two sisters and his devoted cow dog, Jackie.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Donations in Gary's memory can be sent to the Mountain Home Education Association Scholarship, C/O Rhonda Urquidi, 300 South 11th East St., Mountain Home, ID 83647.

The family would like to thank Treasure Valley Hospice, Bobby and Brenda, for their loving care.