Gary Arthur Coultas July 14, 1936 - September 14, 2023

Gary Arthur Coultas was born July 14, 1936 in Compton, California, along with his twin sister Sharlene Edna Kreiner who passed November 4, 2019.

He was born with an insatiable need to explore, and was deeply curious to discover places unknown. As a child he was fascinated with comic books and science fiction. His mother beckoned him to get his head out of the clouds. So instead, he put his head into space and became a rocket scientist! His passion for engineering was ignited when his Junior High School teacher, Mr. Schevik made a detailed drawing of a jet engine on Gary’s notebook cover. Once he went to college, Gary became an expert in jet propulsion. He graduated with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering in 1962 from the University of Southern California.

At the age of 12, Gary met the love of his life, Donna Louise Stewart, who was 11. They were fast friends during their middle school years and by high school knew they’d found their eternal companion.

Gary and Donna were married and sealed in the  Los Angeles, California Temple, August 12, 1956. They began their family with the arrival of their first daughter Cheryl in 1959. Shortly after, came a daughter, Lisa, in 1961. In 1963, he landed his dream job when the NASA Space Program began in Houston, and they moved to Texas. Their first son, Scott, arrived in that same year. Their family bloomed in Texas with the arrival of Barbara in 1966, David in 1970 and the adoption of Karen in 1973. Their family was complete when their daughter Lanell arrived, in 1975. All together, Gary and Donna raised seven children in Friendswood, Texas.

Gary retired from NASA in 1995, but then Boeing made him an offer he couldn’t refuse so he stepped back into Engineering. He was with Boeing until 2000. In 2001, they moved to their forever home in Springville, UT and together planted trees and made beautiful gardens. Gary said he was just the manager of the gardening, and all inspiration and placement was decided by his darling Donna.

Their first grandchild, Kristin arrived in 1983, born to their daughter Lisa. Their last grandchild, Hank, was born to their daughter Lanell in 2015. All together they enjoyed 28 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. With three more great soon. The first great grandchild, Rose, was born to Kristin, in 2005. The most recent great grandchild, Hazel, arrived April 2023. They loved to have gatherings of all generations together for a party and made it a priority to have space for everyone at the table. Gary and Donna were extremely proud of their prolific crowd!

Gary’s passion was service. If there was ever a need, he stepped up to fulfill it. Most recently, he answered a call to attend choir practice because they just needed people. If you’ve ever heard Gary sing, you know that this wasn’t his talent. Nonetheless he showed up because he heard there was a need. Along with his beloved wife, he served several church missions. Their first mission was to Killeen, TX, then to Moscow ID, The Employment Center for LDS Services and finally, the Provo Temple. Devoted to service, he proudly held nearly every calling in The Church.

Perhaps the most passionate activity Gary enjoyed was outdoor adventuring. Family camping was a strong priority and it made him very happy to have everyone work together. He chose places where all could participate, from his handicapped daughters to newborn babies. River running became his enthusiastic hobby, starting with canoeing in the 1980s. Because of the size of his family, rafting became the thing that everyone could do together. He ran more than a dozen North American rivers in eight different states over his 35 years of river running. This past June, Gary was able to witness his legacy of four generations, all taking turns at the oars. His final run was The Rogue River in Oregon, at the age of 87, this past July.

When asked about his legacy, he said, “I would like to be remembered for my kindness and desire for everyone to be happy and feel joy.” He tirelessly and generously endeavored to help anyone get to their own happy place.

He was preceded in death by his precious lovebird of 62 years, Donna Louise Coultas, the love of his life and his eternal companion.  Left to remember this outstanding man are his seven children, Cheryl, Lisa, Scott, Barbara, David, Karen, and Lanell, and numerous grand and great grandchildren.

Funeral services are at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Springville, UT, (1095 S 1700 E St. Springville, UT 84663) Monday September 18, 2023 at 11:00 am; viewing at 9:30 am. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.

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