Gary Leroy Christensen

Gary Leroy Christensen, 78, passed away peacefully in his home June 17, 2026, surrounded by his family. 

Gary was born in April 1948 to Jay and Erma Christensen in Ellensburg, Wash. His early life was spent on the family farm in Kittitas riding horses and hunting in the hills behind their home. The Christensen family moved to the Royal Slope in 1958 where they built a lovely homestead and Gary eventually farmed with his dad and family. Gary attended one year of high school in Othello, Wash., where he met his high school sweetheart Aurilla Gilbert. He then transferred to Royal High School and was a member of the class of 1966. He loved sports and was a star athlete. Gary scored the first-ever touchdown for the Royal High football team, and held school records in both basketball and track. He played on church and community softball teams and hit countless home runs, so many that teams refused to pitch to him. 

Shortly after high school he married his love, Aurilla, in August of 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had their first child, Shane, a year later, followed by three daughters and two more sons, whom he called his cubs. Gary and Aurilla went on many adventures in the early years of their marriage. Some of their favorite family trips were to Sunriver and the San Juan Islands. They also loved riding motorcycles and snowmobiles at the family cabin. 

Gary was a man of many hobbies. He had fun taking his kids fishing to Red Rock Lake and Clabo’s Pond. He was often fishing for salmon on the Columbia River with his buddies where his biggest catch was a 45-pound king salmon. He also loved airplanes, boats, target shooting and riding motorcycles. Gary was a talented pilot and flew his airplane until the last few years of his life. His most memorable adventure was a flight home from Sunriver where the prop on his airplane broke and he crash landed with his wife and children on board.

Gary was a farmer and he loved the Royal Slope. He and Aurilla purchased their farm just outside of Royal City in 1973 where they raised their six kids. He loved farming and has passed that passion on to his children. He especially loved farming onions. One of his proudest accomplishments was building and running the onion shed with his sons. 

Gary spent the majority of his life taking care of his girls. He was a fierce protector and loyal caregiver to his sweet wife, Aurilla, his adorable mother, Erma, and his lovable daughter, Emily. 

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Erma Christensen. He is survived by his wife, Aurilla Christensen, and children Shane and Kyla Christensen, Julia and Brian Smith, Jennifer and Brian Mosteller, Emily Christensen, Aaron and Kristen Christensen, and Dan and Amber Christensen. He has 26 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Royal Camp on Friday, June 26, 2026. Viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Funeral services start at 10:30 a.m. 

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.