Gary Wolverton, Sr.

Gary M. Wolverton, Sr. 81, passed away at his home, Tuesday evening on December 15th, due to heart complications. Gary was born in Orange, California, on September 17th, 1939. He is the first of three sons, born to Merle and Margret Wolverton. Gary is survived by his brothers Don and Mike Wolverton, his son Gary Jr., his grandchildren Grant and Jordan, and his best friend and life partner Kay Wolverton. Gary grew up in a farming family in Orange County, California. His father Merle and Grandfather Alex Jamison were constant mentors to Gary, teaching him about family values and life on a farm and the mechanical equipment it took to run a farm. Gary attended Tustin High School, and then Orange Coast College. During his time at Tustin High School, he met his soul mate Kay Parker during their sophomore year, and they quickly became best friends. After Kay graduated from college, the two were married in the First Baptist Church in Santa Ana, California in 1962. In 1965, his father Merle purchased a ranch in Idaho and asked Gary and Kay, along with his brothers, to move north to run it. Farming in Idaho was vastly different than farming in sunny southern California. Harsh snowy winters, hail, dust storms, and irrigation water shortages suddenly became something to overcome; however, the family prevailed and continued to farm until 1995. Growing up around farming and farming equipment, Gary developed an interest in Tractors and everything mechanical. Along with collecting farm equipment, he also was an avid enthusiast of early brass era automobiles. With Kay's help and many friends and family, Gary restored a 1910 Thomas Flyer touring car, which went on to win first place in the National Horseless Carriage Club Tour, and judging event, held in Sun Valley. Gary collected, toured, and restored many early 1900s automobiles, he also became the National President for the Horseless Carriage Club of America in 1976. Gary's love of farming, tractors, and agricultural equipment prompted him in 1977 to purchase an International Harvester Dealership in Twin Falls and started Wolverton International. This business created a springboard over the years to meet culture and enjoy the friendships and relationships of the agricultural community that he loved. As a young man operating equipment on the farm around El Toro Marine Base in California, he would look up with amazement at the Marine aircraft flying overhead; those memories cultivated his interest in WWII aircraft later in life. In 1979 he got his pilot's license. Soon after, he started Northwest Warbirds, a vintage aircraft restoration shop, and began collecting WWII aircraft. Sharing the history and stories behind the things he collected was why he flew in various air shows across the country. Gary always enjoyed sharing these experiences with friends and family members. Gary had a great love for music and the people and instruments that created it. He was always fascinated as a young boy with the giant pipe organs in theaters and churches. Later in life, he would collect, play, and enjoy the organs most every day. While growing up on the farm at a young age, he learned that most local news, discussions, humorous stories, and even friendship in rural agricultural areas happened in coffee shops. Friendships and relationships with family were always at the center of Gary's life. He always enjoyed early morning coffee with the neighboring farmers, friends, family and continued to do so all his life. In honor of Gary's memory, a viewing will be held at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd. Twin Falls, ID, on Monday, December 28th, 2020, from 5-7 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Rd. in Twin Falls. We invite all friends and family of Gary to join us in celebration of his life either in person at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home or to view the live stream, log on at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 29th 2020, at www.zoom.com with the meeting ID number: 748 815 8781, Passcode (if requested): 12345. Please remember to mute your device. Thank you. In addition, those wishing to share memories and condolences on Gary's Memorial page, please visit www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com