Gayhard "Gary" Tetz

Gary Tetz, age 86, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by his family on October 21, 2022. Gayhard Clarence (Gary) was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on November 26, 1935, to Charlie Tetz and Emma Janke-Tetz. Gary and his sister Evelyn grew up together on a farm in Beiseker, Alberta with his mother Emma. They owned a one-bedroom house with no insulation and were dry crop farmers on a quarter section. While it was a tough life, there were many fond memories of the farm. They had chickens and a horse. An artesian spring out front provided water. In the winter they loved to ice skate on the pond. Charlie lived in Calgary, painting, as did Gary’s brother Ray with his own family. Gary moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1954, followed shortly by Ray. Evelyn moved to Lodi California. In Twin Falls Gary painted with Ray and lived with his Aunt Dorothy and her daughter Judy. Eventually he met his wife Sylvia and started a family. They were married August 16 th , 1970. Gary Jr, Kevin, and Kelvin joined the family. Aunt Dorothy, two doors down, was known as Grandma to the three boys. Gary owned and operated a successful painting construction business and painted the town of Twin Falls. He was well respected, and his reputation reflected his skillful marketing and busy 6-day week schedule. Gary could drive around town and point out the multitude of buildings he painted. Everyone in town seemed to love his work well past his retirement in 2003. Gary loved his church, baptized in the local snake river in 1958, and lived as a true servant—always running work bees, acting as deacon and head deacon, school board member, church board member, and filling many many endless days blessing the congregation. By building the church in 1962, the school in 1981, painting Gem State Academy and Boise Valley Adventist School, he demonstrated his devotion. In his community he improved countless houses and the neighborhood by remodeling homes and sidewalks and making his community thrive and grow. So many people in town knew Gary. He loved new cars and new trucks throughout his life, from his 1954 Chevy pickup, 1958 Pontiac, 1966 Chevrolet truck, and many others. He loved to surprise his friends and family showing up with a new car, always on a Friday. He loved his modern-day recent Chevy Tahoe’s. Gary lost his parents in the 1970s and his brother Ray shortly after. His sister Evelyn just passed this year in July. Gary is survived by his spouse of 45-years, three sons, eleven grandkids, and four great grandkids. He is known to many for loving his boys, his family, Dorothy, and Judy, sacrificing time, money and sweat and tears. He loved German food, dill pickles, sauerkraut, french-fries, and ice cream; also, potato salad, potlucks, borsch soup, kuchen and strudel. Don’t forget lemon meringue pie. His favorite sports teams were NY Yankees, the Calgary Flames, and Toronto Blue Jays. He loved to go bowling and to the Calgary Stampedes. He loved to watch Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, and Steve McQueen. He loved to wear flannel shirts. He played the violin and accordion, loved Box Car Willie and country music. He was a keen Rook player. His nick name was Spike. And he loved to Laugh. To View Gary's Video Memories Click Here: https://youtu.be/Cyx31QaEMSU To View Gary's Memorial Service and Video Memories Click Here: https://youtu.be/Sh9HgA_j3-U