Gary Leroy Falen was born on February 19,1950, at the old Caldwell Hospital in Caldwell, Idaho, to Ernest Leroy Falen and Ina Geraldine Marshall Falen. He was the oldest of five kids and grew up around the Sunnyslope area his whole life. Gary was raised on the family farm that his dad, grandfather, and uncle had started. He grew up around cattle, horses, and orchards and enjoyed it. It wasn’t always easy, but he learned at an early age what hard work was and was expected to help when he became old enough to do so.

He started school at Sunnyslope Elementary School, then went into Junior High at the new Vallivue School district, where he went all through high school and graduated in 1969. In his junior/senior year of school, he met his future wife, Pamela Ann Kelso, up at Silver Creek plunge where he was fishing and had fallen into the creek. She had come to check out all the commotion was about and found him there in the creek. They soon started dating after that and just celebrated 56 years of marriage on December 20, 2025.

Soon after being married, he was drafted into the Army and went to basic training before an old injury to his knee flared up again. So, he was discharged and came back home.

He had two sons, Robert and Bryon, that he was very proud of. He would take them fishing and camping during the summer and family trips to the Oregon coast.

He worked on the family ranch until the late 80’s when it was sold, then he worked for Kit Manufacturing and Williamson Fruit Ranch. His last job he worked for MultiCare as a patient safety attendant where he was employee of the month several times. He loved his volunteer work that he had done throughout the years with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Idaho. He did hospice work - sitting with patients and swapping stories back and forth. He also had a love of bowling and as his boys grew older, he enjoyed getting to bowl with them in tournaments and leagues.

He passed away on January 1, 2026, from health issues that finally took him. He was survived by his wife, Pamela Ann Kelso Falen; his brother, Larry; two sisters, Carol and Christine; his two sons, Robert and Bryon; daughter-in-law, Krena; grandkids: Darci, Isabella, Eric, Tori, Kesha, Mackenzie, and Andy. He also has several great grandkids and was proud of every one of them. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joe. We wish to thank our many friends and family for the prayers and condolences.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, 624 Cleveland Blvd. in Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to American Cancer Society of Idaho or to Idaho2Fly (www.idaho2fly.org). Services are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. (208) 459-0833