Ralph "Gary" Yearsley

Ralph Gary Yearsley, 80, passed away at his home in Huntington Beach, California following a lingering illness. He was born March 15, 1934 to William Ralph and Melba Deen Monson Yearsley in Malad City, Idaho. He was the second of four children. He married his eternal sweetheart, ArLene Petty in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 21, 1959. They have three children, Steven, Bismarck, North Dakota, Lisa Carole, Sacramento, California, and Glenn, Pocatello, Idaho. They also raised two grandchildren, Kisha and Michael. His family moved to Pocatello in 1939 and Gary attended local schools, graduating from Pocatello High School in 1952. He was industrious and while still in high school, worked for Roselle bottling company which included the famous red cream soda. Following high school, he worked for Western Electric until he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served two years working in communications in Fort Lewis, Washington. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Idaho State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He then worked for Wasatch Chemical in Idaho Falls until joining Beckman Instruments, which later merged with SmithKline, in California. He worked in California, Deerfield, Illinois, and then returned to California where they reside in Huntington Beach. He had great business acumen and retired from Beckman as Vice President having traveled all over the U.S. in his employment. After retiring, Gary discovered the "Bicycle". He rode hundreds of miles on the beach front bike paths and ten tours of the Los Angeles Bike Marathon. His favorite thing to do was to bike the Hiawatha Trail at Wallace, Idaho with friends and family. He was a man of unwavering principles and yet he was inspiring in his ability to be a peacemaker towards others. He was a very devoted father and an exceptional husband. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is survived by his wife, ArLene; sister, Isabella Yearsley Willes, brother, James Irvin Yearsley; three children; twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Charles Paul. He had a great enthusiasm for life, and we will miss this gentle giant of a man. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 12 pm at the LDS church building located at 3444 Hawthorne Rd. Pocatello, ID. (Corner of Hawthorne and Eldredge Rd.). Family will receive friends from 11 to 11:45 am prior to the services. Burial will follow at the Swan Lake Cemetery, Swan Lake, ID. Condolences can be made to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com