Jim Gehrke

Torrey, Utah - James (Jim) Gehrke left this world peacefully at his home in Torrey, Friday morning, January 29th, 2021 after a 2+ year battle with cancer. He was born December 20th, 1946 in Anaconda, Montana, the oldest of four children born to Warren and Kay Gehrke. He grew up moving from Montana to North Dakota, then to Maryland and Illinois. He graduated from high school in Livonia, Michigan, class of 1965. He went to college in Livonia, Michigan and then moved to Washington State and earned an Associate Degree in Technical Arts at Everett Community College in 1968. There he met the love of his life, Lisa Sebbas. They were married in 1968 and were happily married for 52 years. After working in the building trades in the Seattle area, he was drafted into the US Army in 1969. He served overseas in South Korea for 17 months with the 7th Infantry Division. He served as the company clerk and was honorably discharged in 1975. Jim held various jobs over the years. He worked in sawmills in Everett and Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He was a deputy sheriff in Boundary County, Idaho and completed POST Academy in Pocatello, Idaho. He worked as a private contractor doing remodeling projects, and as a security company supervisor and officer. The last nine years he lived in Bonners Ferry he worked for the Forest Service on a fire crew. In 2003 he and Lisa made a trip to Wayne County, Utah and it was love at first sight. After moving to Wayne County he worked for several years in the at-risk programs for Aspen. Before retiring he was on the maintenance crew at Capitol Reef National Park. During his retirement, Jim and Lisa enjoyed traveling to Europe, Central, and South American, and many other places. He loved his family dearly and made sure they always felt loved. He enjoyed the outdoors and went ATVing, hunting, fishing, hiking, and relished exploring new country. He shared this love with his two boys, Andy and Zach. Jim also liked camping with family and friends. In addition, Jim loved spending time with God, reading the Bible, praying, and worshipping with other believers. He even spent a couple of years leading a Sunday morning Bible study with the youth at the Central Utah Youth Center. His hobbies included birding, gardening, landscaping, building, and researching family military history dating back to the Civil War. Jim is survived by his wife Lisa of Torrey, Utah; two sons, Andy (Susanne) of Caldwell, Idaho, and Zach (Heather) of Maple Valley, Washington; four grandchildren, Sean, Matthew, Samantha, and Aaron; sister Jean (Orrin) Brewer of Seaside, Oregon; brother John (Nancy, deceased) Gehrke of Anacortes, Washington; sister Janet (Doug) Ramey of Kennewick, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Kay Gehrke. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Teri Leavitt and staff with Gunnison Home Health and Hospice for all their help during Jim’s last days. We would also like to give thanks for the wonderful care Jim received from Daniel Palmer and staff at WCHC, and to Dr. Wallentine at Revere Health, as well as the providers at Utah Valley and Huntsman Cancer Institute. The family will have a celebration of Jim’s life later in the year when family and friends can gather.