04/28/2026
In Memory Of
Gary M. Oliver
December 6, 1950 - April 23, 2026
Gary Morgan Oliver returned to his Savior with honor on April 23, 2026, surrounded by his beloved family. Gary packed as much as he possibly could into his 75 years, and couldn’t have lived a fuller life.
He was a surrogate father, mentor, teacher, and rescuer to many, but first and foremost he was a valiant disciple of Christ whose commitment to his duties knew no bounds. Gary’s greatest joy in life was to be surrounded by those he loved. While he didn’t like to play games, he loved to see his family enjoying a good board game and endured the crushing decibels with grace…except during the Superbowl. Gary was happiest when he was serving others and making others feel seen. He was very wise without being prideful, extremely funny, but not at others’ expense, and his capacity for compassionate service was unmatched. Even in his final days and hours, he was focused on others rather than himself. Gary was the common denominator and the glue that kept so many people, from so many walks of life, together.
Gary was truly one of a kind. He had BIG opinions, and an even BIGGER heart. While he had a very strong sense of justice, he was the first one to extend understanding and mercy. He would give anyone his last nickel, yet tell no one of his generosity. As a self-taught balloon bender, a child rarely left his presence without a balloon sword, hat, and shield that Gary had fashioned for them. Many Christmas Eve nights, excited kids had to dash for their beds because Santa was “Ho, ho, ho-ing” outside their window over the sound of his jingle bells. During a Wyoming blizzard in 2023, he and his wife were marooned at the Hampton Inn in Rawlins, WY, where Gary quickly organized get-togethers with other stranded travelers causing his family to tease him that he served as the Mayor of the Rawlins Hampton Inn with a tenure of five days.
Gary was born on December 6, 1950, to Gene and Marjorie Oliver in Denver, CO. The oldest of five children, Gary spent his early childhood years terrorizing the streets of Aurora, CO with his partners in crime, Kim and Kevin. Dennis the Menace would have been amazed at the things they got away with and very impressed with their aptitude for mischief. He spent his teenage years in California as a high school football star (voted most athletic at Thousand Oaks High School), a pilot, who soloed at the age of 16, a surfer, and a new big brother to his baby sister, Keeley, who many mistook to be his baby due to their 17 year age difference.
After high school, Gary attended Brigham Young University for one year before serving for two years in the Andes Mission in Peru as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning to BYU after his missionary service, he met the love of his life, Cindy Lu Glissmeyer, and ultimately emerged the victor of the pack of suitors, by winning her hand. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on February 16, 1973. Gary designed his own composite major at BYU, that included Spanish, and minored in Instructional Psychology, graduating in 1976.
In 1979, Gary and Cindy went into business with his parents when they purchased the Brynwood on the River resort in Estes Park, CO, where Gary continued to pull double-duty even after becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 1980. Gary and Cindy eventually purchased Brynwood from Marge, running it for a total of 37 years. Their entrepreneurial spirits continued with the purchase of Pretzelmaker franchises and rental properties. More important than his professional accomplishments were the ways in which he served the Lord as everything from a church nursery worker to the bishop of the Longs Peak Ward in Lyons, CO. He also served as the Shift Coordinator of the Friday night shift at the Fort Collins, CO Temple until just before his passing.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Marge Oliver, his brother, Kim Oliver, his son, Adam Oliver, and his grandson, and best buddy, Isaac Taylor. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Cindy Oliver; his children, Ambra and Mat Taylor, Cama and Michael Patterson, and Shelby and David Coogle; his grandchildren, Kimball and Sydnie Taylor, Evan and Ruby Taylor, Josie Taylor, Jaron and Mariah Patterson, Jaylie Patterson, Benjamin Hernandez, and Shuri Hernandez. Gary is also survived by his brother, Kevin Oliver and his wife, Vickie, his sister, Keeley Hansen and her husband, Craig, his sister, Genette Oliver, and his sister-in-law, Rosanne Oliver. As well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews, who have asserted that Gary was their favorite.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pathways Hospice Care of Northern Colorado (see below), an organization that offered a port in the storm when it was desperately needed.
In memory of Gary, take as many pictures of people as you can. Keep giving when you think you have nothing left to give. Seek out the one to minister to.
Gary’s Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3800 Mountain Lion Dr., Loveland, CO 80537. The service may also be joined on Zoom at Gary Oliver Memorial Service, meeting ID 992 5283 8829.
To leave condolences for Gary's family, please visit www.AllnuttLoveland.com.