Gary Joseph Blum

Gary Joseph Blum, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014, surrounded by his family. Gary was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa on Nov. 25, 1948, the 9th of 10 children, born to Jess Kenneth and Mary Loretta Staber Blum. He grew up and graduated from high school in Milford, Iowa and enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 18. Gary served in the Navy for four years, mostly on the USS Oriskany off the coast of Viet Nam. During the course of his service, his mother passed away. Following naval service, Gary returned to Iowa and married Dorothy (Dottie) Uhlir on January 1, 1973. They moved to Nebraska where they became parents to two sons, Charles John and Gary John. The Blum family eventually moved further west, to Arizona, arriving in Phoenix on June 27, 1979, the hottest day of the year. Gary and Dottie later divorced. In his adulthood, Gary became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Marla Kay Packard in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 30, 1983, and they were delighted to add Jennifer Kay to the family in 1988. Gary worked in various trades before becoming disabled due to eye problems in 1991. Gary and Marla raised their family in central Mesa where they supported their children’s interests and hobbies, and always enjoyed game nights with family and friends. Gary particularly enjoyed finding the way to fix almost anything. From cars to computers, he could figure out how to make things work. His family remembers him for his generosity, sense of humor and readiness to give service. In 2013, Gary and Marla moved to San Tan Valley where they established their home. Following a broken hip, caused by a cancerous tumor in February of 2014, Gary was diagnosed with metastatic esophageal cancer. Over the past nine months he has courageously fought this disease with grace and dignity, demonstrating to all the refinement of character possible in times of deep suffering. Gary is survived by his loving wife, Marla, his children Charlie, Gary (Kari), and Jennifer (Kyle) Packer; grandchildren, Blaine Blum, Ashley, Abigail and Elijah Blum. He is also survived by his older sisters, Mary Lou Smiley, Jacque Johnson, Betty Garrett, and Judy Guthrie, and his younger brother, Michael Blum, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Gary is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Earl, sisters, Janice, Sharon and Margaret and his loving in-laws, Larry and Martha Packard. Services will be held on Thursday, October 30th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pecan Grove Ward, 2559 East Combs Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140, at 10 a.m., with visitation prior to services, beginning at 9 a.m. A visitation will also be held Wednesday evening, October 29th, at Legacy Funeral Home, 1374 North Arizona Avenue, Chandler, Arizona. Interment will be in the Mesa City Cemetery.

Gary Joseph Blum

November 25, 1948 - October 26, 2014