Gay LaRee Thompson Flint

Gay LaRee Thompson was born July 29, 1930, in Bloomington Idaho and passed away in her home in Syracuse, Utah on November 3, 2024. She was the 13th of 14 children and grew up near Bear Lake living a very pioneer-style life – no running water or electricity in a small, rural town of maybe 400 people. She was always a happy and adventurous child with a lot of spunk. She said of her early days, “I had too much spunk to sit around and have people do things for me. I wanted to do it myself.”

In childhood she spent a lot of time working with her brothers on farm chores: riding horses, driving cows to pasture, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, gardening, and one unfortunate experience milking the cows that resulted in her falling off the stool and getting milk all over her face which she determined was the end of her milking days. She also worked with her mother canning food, cooking, cleaning, and washing laundry. They grew everything they ate and raised pigs, cows, sheep and chickens. Life was full of hard work, but they found ways to play, a favorite being jumping off the hayloft into the hay, riding horses, or making their own swings.

When Gay was 16, she went with her mother to Syracuse, Utah to work in the tomato canning factory in the fall where she met John Alan Flint. He quickly became infatuated with this gorgeous young woman. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the LDS Salt Lake Temple on November 18, 1949.

John and Gay settled in Syracuse and raised four children: Kelly, Suzanne, LuAnn, and Dan. She was a devoted wife and mother and was famous for her excellent cooking. Gay continued to be an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings and presidencies, including Relief Society president three times. She never liked to be in front of people, but she was always willing to help. Whatever she did, she gave it her all. She was a devoted disciple of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and brought many people closer to him through her love, service, sense of humor and adventure, and kindness.

A highlight of John and Gay’s life was serving in the Ogden Temple as ordinance workers prior to their mission in the Florida Orlando Mission. They felt honored to be missionaries and made many lasting friendships. Upon their return, they served as temple ordinance workers in the Ogden Utah temple. When John was called to be sealer, they served as coordinators for their shift. They served for many happy years before they were released in 2015.

Gay is survived by three children: Kelly (Tamara) Flint, Suzanne (Vaughn) Nelson, and LuAnn (Dean) Steel, 17 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, parents Cerissa and Niels Hyrum Thompson, all of her siblings, son Dan Flint, granddaughter Kari Flint, great-grandson Kayden Ryan, and great-granddaughter Michelle K Murdock Ray.

Funeral services will be held on Monday November 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the 2nd Ward Chapel, 2228 S. 1660 W. Syracuse UT. Friends may visit with family on November 17, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary. 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse UT. And Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. 

Interment: Syracuse City Cemetery.