Dr. Gary Melvon Booth
1940 - 2019
Hall of Famer Ernie Banks once said, “The measure of a man is in the lives he’s touched.” By that estimation, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Dr. Gary Melvon Booth, truly was a treasure among men. On March 14th, 2019, Gary passed away surrounded by his family, after a courageous fight against pulmonary fibrosis.
Gary was born on October 9th, 1940 in Provo, Utah to Melvon LeRoy Booth and Phebe Carrie Bethers Booth. As the son of a Utah Railway Telegraph Operator, Gary moved 37 times before finally settling down in Carbon County near Price, Utah. It was there, in the hallways of Carbon High School, where time stood still when he first laid eyes upon his high school sweetheart, Sharra Lee Peterson. She asked him to take her to a bowling party, where he undoubtedly thought “this shall be my finest hour!”…until the realization set in that he didn’t yet have his driver’s license and sheepishly turned her down. Luckily for his F1 progeny, she later allowed him to make it up to her. On August 25, 1960 Gary and Sharra were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. Sharra would later recall their first wedding dance together, twirling alone on the dance floor to the soft tune of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” to be her finest hour.
Gary would spend the next ten years of his life passionately pursuing his love of academics. While simultaneously serving in the Utah National Guard, he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Entomology in 1966 from Utah State University and his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), degree in Entomology at the University of California, Riverside in 1969. After serving as an assistant professor in Entomology at the Illinois Natural History Survey, Gary accepted a professorship at Brigham Young University. Little did he know it at the time, but this decision would set him on a course where he would spend the next 42 years enraptured by a labor of love in the field of teaching and research.
For those privileged enough to witness Dr. Gary Booth teach, one cannot deny that they received instruction at the feet of a master teacher. Dr. Booth simply changed lives. As Yoda instructed, “Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.” Recognized by many as a Jedi Master of Biology, he was very committed to helping students succeed-and in turn received many accolades including the prestigious Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award.
Memories created with his family were among Gary’s most prized possessions. He followed the wisdom given by the Prophet Ezra Taft Benson when he declared, “Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children.” Gary possessed an immense gratitude and awe of nature and all of God’s creations and as a result, vacation adventures for the Booth family usually included the exploration and enjoyment of the great outdoors. But perhaps the greatest Booth Family vacation tradition originated with Gary’s love of Disneyland. From the time his oldest kids were very young, Gary was allowed to attend Biology and Zoology educational symposiums at Disneyland and with the food and gas money provided he would pack up the whole family and head for “the happiest place on earth.”
Considering all of the great accomplishments and blessings achieved throughout Gary’s life, the greatest among them was his resounding faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. Gary possessed a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. Gary was a faithful and stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Bishop twice, Stake High Councilor, and Missionary Training Center (MTC) Branch President, among many other leadership positions. He especially loved working with the youth and sharing his powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon. He had infinite patience and an uncanny ability to persevere through challenges. His life was indeed a life of service to others.
He is survived by his sweetheart, Sharra, his children: Tanna Kay (Russell Johnson), Gary Kevin Booth (Kathy), Tarra Lee (Dave Anderson), Tammi Vee (Todd Mitchell), and Terri Lyn (Glazier Ward), 15 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. Father, Dear, Dad, Faz, Grandpa, Bampas, Jedi Master, “Oh Captain, my Captain”, we love you … you are the best there is — the best there ever was — and the best there ever will be.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Highland 30th Ward Stake Center 9681 North 6800 West Highland, Utah. A viewing will be Friday from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:45-10:45 am at the Church. Burial will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.
