Gary Thomas Hetrick

Gary Thomas Hetrick (78), known as "Guru and PopPop" tragically passed away as a result of a house fire on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, while trying to save his little dog Lulu. He was the loving husband of Linda Dascher Hetrick. Gary and Linda met when he was 21 years old and she was 17. They were married Nov. 26, 1966, at Saint Raphael's Catholic Church in Glasgow, Mont. They shared 55 years of marriage together. Gary was a proud father to Holly and Dustin and an amazing PopPop to Emme and Jack.

Gary was born April 4, 1944, in Glasgow, Mont., to Kenneth and Lillian Hetrick. He attended Glasgow High School and graduated in 1962. After high school he joined the Air Force to see the world and was ironically placed just a short distance from home at the Glasgow Air Force Base where he served as a Sergeant in the 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron from 1962-1966.

Gary worked in several sales and mechanical industries where his talents for connecting with people and mechanical savvy were put to great use. In 1985, Gary and Linda moved their family from Montana to Hayden, Idaho. Gary worked for Tobler Marine for over three decades. Gary earned the nickname "Guru" as there wasn't anything he couldn't sell, fix, or master. Over the years he developed ongoing relationships with his customers and their families as he provided service and care for their recreational needs.

Gary was a "go big or go home" kind of guy and loved a great many things in his life. He was an amazing story teller and had the best set of limericks to offer. He had an infectious giggle and would do a little dance when he was tickled by something. Gary restored guitars and loved to play them with family and friends while camping or sitting at home with a glass of wine or beer. One of his greatest recent endeavors was restoring a 1973 El Camino that belonged to his father-in-law. Gary spent years getting that car restored and powered up. Just before his passing he was nearing completion of the car and getting ready for a trip with Linda and Lulu to Montana to see a dear friend. Gary liked to tinker with all things musical and mechanical. Gary enjoyed riding his much loved Harley and black and orange were his favorite colors. His skills and ability to problem solve were unmatched. There just didn't seem to be anything he couldn't fix.

Gary is survived by his wife Linda, his two children Holly (Kurt), Dustin (Adriana), grandchildren Emme and Jack, brother Robert (LaVonne), niece Mary (Vince) and a great nephew and niece. He is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Hetrick, mother Lillian Hetrick, and younger brother Terry Hetrick.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel at 1133 N. 4th St. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The family invites you to join them after the memorial service for an "after party" to share stories and celebrate Gary's life at the Hayden Lake Eagles at 3 p.m., 1520 W. Wyoming Ave. Hayden, Idaho.

Gary's services will be recorded and streamed live. Visit Gary's online memorial https://www.englishfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/gary-hetrick and the broadcast will start approximately five minutes before the service.