Gary Bourquin

Gary Elmer Bourquin, 76, of Payette passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center - Ontario. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, May 17th at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. A viewing will be held from 10 am – 12 pm (noon), prior to the service. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Payette. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences to Gary’s family can be made at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

Gary was born Dec. 15, 1941 in San Jose, CA. He grew up in Grants Pass, OR with his parents, Bud and Virgie Bourquin, and two brothers, Chris and Wayne.

He graduated in 1960 and joined the military. He serviced proudly for eight years during the Vietnam War. He was stationed on several destroyers, many of which are still n service today, including the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. After his service, he was a deputy for the Josephine County Sheriff’s Department.

He moved to Carson City, NV where in 1978, he married his soulmate, Barbara and inherited three children; Shellie, Andy and DeAnna. There he worked for Nevada Western Concrete and was active in the local racing circuit.

In 1983, they moved to Hawthorne, NV where they built a very successful truck and auto repair business. They spent 10 years in Hawthorne during which time he earned great love and respect from the community. Again, he was very involved in the local racing circuit, helping build up a racetrack to a strong community activity enjoyed by the local community, as well as traveling racers and enthusiasts as both an organization member and eventually organization president. He also had the honor of being the only dirt track race car driver to ever be sponsored by Mallory Ignition.

In 1991, they decided they had enough of Nevada’s “hustle and bustle” and moved to Idaho to lead a quieter lifestyle. Moving just north of New Meadows, ID Gary and Barb ran a small restaurant. During that time, the restaurant became a favorite coffee spot for the local law enforcement. Lifetime friendships were formed and both Gary and Barbara became active reserve officers for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. They started the Yellow Ribbon program where memorial markers were placed a fatal accident sites; many of which are still standing today. He was also commended for saving an officer’s life by jumping into the icy Salmon River when a suspect pulled another officer in and tried to drown him. In 1995, they closed the restaurant and Gary went to work of Valley Paving and Clearwater Concrete as lead mechanic.

In 1998, Gary and Barb relocated to the Treasure Valley and Gary transferred from the McCall, ID plant to the Ontario, OR Valley Paving and Clearwater Concrete where he worked full time until the day before his death.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and brother, Wayne. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara; his children, Shellie (Gregory), Andy Cremers, and DeAnna (Connelly); six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

His sudden passing has left a void that can never be filled.