Gerald Wellard

Gerald Lynn Wellard passed away peacefully at home on March 3, 2009 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Known to friends and family as Lynn, he was born June 19, 1932 in Lynn Brothers Hospital in Pocatello, Idaho the first child of James Elias and Ophelia Livingston Wellard. He got his middle name from the name of the hospital where he was born. Lynn attended Jefferson and Washington Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and Snake River High School. In 1974, Lynn returned to night school at Bear Lake High School and received his G.E.D. He often noted this was one of his proudest moments. Lynn was also proud to be a veteran. He joined the National Guard in 1949 and served six months before enlisting in the Army. While in the Army he was stationed in Fort Ord, California; the Oakland Army Base, California; and Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands during the Korean War Conflict. He left the service in December of 1953. Lynn married the love of his life, Susan Mae Hill, October 24, 1965. Together they had three children: Lisa Lyn (Michael) Salazar, James Eric (Carleen) Wellard; and Audrey Liane Wellard. He has four grandchildren: Stephen, Tamara, Adam, and Aiza. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on January 31, 1974. Lynn worked at J.R. Simplot Company twenty-four years as a mechanic/welder until retiring in 2002. Retirement brought about the opportunity to do more of the things he loved and enjoyed like: fishing, hunting, painting, genealogy, gardening, cruising the thrift stores, collecting books, watching professional wrestling, and swapping fishing/hunting tales with the guys. Lynn was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many different callings including: Scout Leader, Ward Clerk, Elders Quorum Secretary, High Priest Secretary, Home Teacher, Ward Family History Specialist, and Stake Missionary. He was also an active and enthusiastic member of the choir. Lynn is survived by his wife Susan; his three children and four grandchildren, a half-sister, Thelma Fisher (Waco, TX), two brothers, Leland L. Wellard (Stan Wood, WA) and Jerry J. Wellard(Fontana, CA). He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Frances G. Robbins; half-sisters Alma Lee Reidy, Ireta Nelson, Vilda Gertsch; half-brothers Charles Elias