Gerry Golightly Obituary

On August 28, 1937, in Franklin, Idaho, Osburn Bryant and Vilate Golightly welcomed their first child into the world. They named the baby boy Gerry Tate Golightly. He grew up near Preston, Idaho where he farmed, hunted, fished, and tried to stay out of trouble. In high school he was active in FFA and the Spanish club. He graduated from Preston High School (yes, that Preston High School from the movie Napolean Dynamite, and he said it looked just like that) in 1955. Right after he graduated from high school, he moved to Melba, Idaho where his father was living and working. The rest of the family moved there later.

He served his first mission among the Navajo people from 1957 To 1960. He said that learning Navajo was very difficult because it wasn't a written language and so it was very hard to study and learn. He would tell stories about driving along a road and seeing tracks heading out into the desert. They would follow them to see if they could find a family out there herding sheep. Sometimes they would find a family, other times they would get stuck in the sand. Gerry didn't always drive at a safe speed and had to replace the leaf springs on his truck several times. He did gain an abiding testimony of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel.

Gerry was drafted into the Army from 1961 to 1966. He was a company clerk. He spent most of his time stationed at Fort Leanard Wood, Missouri. Serving Stateside afforded him the opportunity to go back home to Idaho when he was on leave. Gerry liked to tell the story of the time that he was driving across Wyoming, and he could see for 20 miles but couldn't see the road due to the blowing snow. All they could do was try to keep the car between the roadside markers that they could see sticking up out of the snow.

Gerry met Kathryn Jarvis because she was best friends with the daughter of the man he was working for. They played in a church softball league. and Gerry was the designated driver to drive them to the softball games. On the evening of August 12, 1964. They drove across the state of Idaho from Melba to Idaho Falls so they could be married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls temple. They were able to spend the next 60 years together raising children and enjoying life.

Gerry worked for U.S. Steel as a fertilizer salesman. He was transferred to Colorado. Soon after that they downsized and he needed to find a job. Gerry was hired as an apprentice plumber at Gilcrest Wholesale Farm Supply. He worked as a plumber until he retired.

Gerry was active in his church. He served in many callings including as a young men leader and scoutmaster, as a ward clerk, and a counselor in a bishopric. Gerry and Kathy were able to serve together in the family history center and as service missionaries with the welfare program and later at the Denver temple.

On January 30, 2026, Gerry was called home to receive his eternal reward. He is now reunited with his wife Kathy, parents, and two sisters who preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons Tracy (Shari), Scott (Miki), and Rodney (Angela). He has 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

We are grateful to all who helped to make Gerry's life full and enjoyable.