Gail Winn Ockey

Gail Winn Ockey, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 22nd, 2025. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 26th, 1934 to Henry DeWitt Ockey and Alice Winn Ockey, he was the 4th child in a family of 6 sons. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah in 1962 and a Masters degree from Brigham Young University in 1969. He married M. Donette Van Dam on August 31st, 1959 in the Salt Lake temple. 

He worked 34 years in the LDS Church education system as a seminary teacher and principal in Oakley, Idaho and in Idaho Falls. He also oversaw CES operations and teaching in Queensland, Australia for 3 years where he supervised all regional seminary and institute programs. He worked as an instructor and Director at the Pocatello Idaho Institute of Religion retiring in 1996. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings including Bishop, Stake President, Mission President in the Brisbane Australia Mission, Stake Patriarch in the Washington Fields East Stake, and as a Sealer in the St. George Utah Temple. He served a mission in the East Central States Mission from 1955-1957.

He had a firm testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and was deeply committed to the Church. He loved his family with all of his heart and always enjoyed being with them. He was never happier than when he was home. He also loved to see the beauties of nature and always took the opportunity to enjoy birds and animals whenever he could. He appreciated travel. A favorite destination was Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast. 

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, one brother and sister-in-law, Thomas D. and Sharon Ockey, 6 children and their spouses; Sharilyn and Michael Green, Christine and Bryan Tobler, John and Elena Ockey, Kent and Valerie Ockey, Richard and Tane Ockey, and Jennifer and Tyler Brinkerhoff; 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers: Blaine H., Robert F., Norman D., Gerald L. and a beloved daughter Elizabeth. The following events will be held: Viewing on Wednesday evening from 6pm-8pm at the Washington East Stake Center at 1835 S. Washington Fields Road Washington, Utah.

Funeral services will be held at that same location on Thursday February 27th, 2025 at 11:00 am. A viewing will precede the funeral from 9:30-11:00 am. There will also be an additional hour following the funeral for meeting with friends. Burial will be in Salt Lake City at the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery at 3401 South Highland Dr. Millcreek, Utah with a brief graveside service at 12:00 pm on Friday February 28th, 2025.