Gary Harmon Driggs of Paradise Valley passed away at his home at the age of 89 on Aug. 22, 2023. Gary was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on a lucky Friday July 13, 1934, to Douglas Harmon Driggs and Effie Killian Driggs. He led an extraordinary life as a business, community, and family leader.
Gary grew up in Phoenix and graduated from West High School in 1952. He was an Eagle Scout and founded the Kachinas, a rock-climbing Boy Scout group, which pioneered many of the Arizona climbing routes in the 1940s and 1950s. At the age of 17, he was the first recorded person to climb to the top of the Praying Monk rock formation on Camelback Mountain. He worked on the High School Newspaper and won the Reg Manning Award as Arizona's Outstanding High School Journalist. He also placed second in the American Legion's statewide speech contest, losing the top prize to future United States Solicitor General, Rex Lee, who became a friend in college.
He then attended Stanford University, where he was a member of the Rugby team (despite his 5 feet 6 inches height), Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the Alpine Club. After two years in Palo Alto, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Finland for nearly three years, learning to speak fluent Finnish, one of the world's most difficult languages. He asked to extend his mission beyond the normal duration because he loved working with the Finnish people.
Following his mission, Gary completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, where he met his future wife, Kay Taylor, in a Sunday School class he was teaching. The topic of the lesson that Gary taught that day was eternal marriage. At BYU, he was a student leader and President of Inter Organizational Council (IOC), which oversaw all the student organizations on campus. Within weeks of graduation, the couple married in June 1959.
The newlywed couple then moved to Bloomington to attend Indiana University where Gary completed a Doctorate in Business Administration, while Kay earned her master's degree in literature. Following their graduate degrees, they returned to Gary's hometown Phoenix where they lived the rest of their lives. Gary worked at Western Savings, eventually serving as CEO for over 15 years. His Forecast 80s research and lecture series from 1979 - 1985, which analyzed prospects for the Arizona economy, was attended by thousands of local business leaders and public officials. His vision for Phoenix's development, especially in the East Valley, can be seen today in numerous commercial buildings, home developments, and shopping areas.
In the 1990s, after the savings and loan crisis, Gary built a second career in hospitality, including management of nine hotels. He acquired and grew an electronics company, ironically named Covid; more than 30 years after its founding, the pandemic stole his business's name! Throughout his career, Gary demonstrated remarkable resilience, optimism, and an ability to grow businesses. He was also known among business associates and friends for his great sense of humor and witty expressions.
Outside of work, Gary remained a lifelong mountaineer. In his younger years, he led climbing expeditions in the Coast Range and Bugaboos of British Columbia, the Swiss Alps, and the Tetons of Wyoming. In 1953 he became the fourth person in history to summit the famous Lost Arrow rock formation in Yosemite. Even in his late 50s, he joined expeditions to remote mountains in Yunnan Province, China, and made a first ascent of an 18,000-foot peak.
Gary combined his passion for hiking and Arizona to make lasting contributions to the community. In 1973, he led the establishment of Camelback Mountain and Echo Canyon as a city park, partnering with his brother John, mayor of Phoenix at the time. Gary came up with the summit trail route on Camelback, which ensured the public had access to the top. He also played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. In the 1990s he wrote the book, Camelback, Sacred Mountain of Phoenix, describing in words and photos the history of the mountain, its natural environment, how it became a park, and how Phoenix grew up around it. Gary later spoke about the impact of this legacy, saying, "To me, the most redeeming and interesting thing about the Phoenix area is the access to incredible hiking. Next to a metropolitan area, you can literally feel like you're in a wilderness."
Gary also served the community in other areas including helping to start the Phoenix Police Silent Witness program and leading the City of Phoenix Streets Commission. Every December, Gary would dress as Santa Claus for parties and home visits to his friends' children and later their grandchildren so they would have a personal Santa connection.
Gary was a devoted father of six children and grandfather of fifteen. He took an active interest in all of them, supporting his children in all their endeavors. He engaged his children, even at a young age, in conversations about important issues. He traveled with the family around the world, and often took children and grandchildren on his business trips. He was a lifetime active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Despite having major leadership roles with tough decisions to make, Gary was known for kindness and efforts to uplift those around him. This encouraging attitude towards others was felt by hundreds of co-workers, community members, and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Kay, daughters Katie and Elizabeth who died as babies, his siblings John and Lois, and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Anne Christensen, his four adult children: Rebecca [Dan], Taylor [Shawna], Kimberly, and Benjamin [Andrea], fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Orin.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Palo Verde Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 6840 E Gold Dust Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
Posted online on September 10, 2023
Published in The Arizona Republic
Gary grew up in Phoenix and graduated from West High School in 1952. He was an Eagle Scout and founded the Kachinas, a rock-climbing Boy Scout group, which pioneered many of the Arizona climbing routes in the 1940s and 1950s. At the age of 17, he was the first recorded person to climb to the top of the Praying Monk rock formation on Camelback Mountain. He worked on the High School Newspaper and won the Reg Manning Award as Arizona's Outstanding High School Journalist. He also placed second in the American Legion's statewide speech contest, losing the top prize to future United States Solicitor General, Rex Lee, who became a friend in college.
He then attended Stanford University, where he was a member of the Rugby team (despite his 5 feet 6 inches height), Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the Alpine Club. After two years in Palo Alto, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Finland for nearly three years, learning to speak fluent Finnish, one of the world's most difficult languages. He asked to extend his mission beyond the normal duration because he loved working with the Finnish people.
Following his mission, Gary completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, where he met his future wife, Kay Taylor, in a Sunday School class he was teaching. The topic of the lesson that Gary taught that day was eternal marriage. At BYU, he was a student leader and President of Inter Organizational Council (IOC), which oversaw all the student organizations on campus. Within weeks of graduation, the couple married in June 1959.
The newlywed couple then moved to Bloomington to attend Indiana University where Gary completed a Doctorate in Business Administration, while Kay earned her master's degree in literature. Following their graduate degrees, they returned to Gary's hometown Phoenix where they lived the rest of their lives. Gary worked at Western Savings, eventually serving as CEO for over 15 years. His Forecast 80s research and lecture series from 1979 - 1985, which analyzed prospects for the Arizona economy, was attended by thousands of local business leaders and public officials. His vision for Phoenix's development, especially in the East Valley, can be seen today in numerous commercial buildings, home developments, and shopping areas.
In the 1990s, after the savings and loan crisis, Gary built a second career in hospitality, including management of nine hotels. He acquired and grew an electronics company, ironically named Covid; more than 30 years after its founding, the pandemic stole his business's name! Throughout his career, Gary demonstrated remarkable resilience, optimism, and an ability to grow businesses. He was also known among business associates and friends for his great sense of humor and witty expressions.
Outside of work, Gary remained a lifelong mountaineer. In his younger years, he led climbing expeditions in the Coast Range and Bugaboos of British Columbia, the Swiss Alps, and the Tetons of Wyoming. In 1953 he became the fourth person in history to summit the famous Lost Arrow rock formation in Yosemite. Even in his late 50s, he joined expeditions to remote mountains in Yunnan Province, China, and made a first ascent of an 18,000-foot peak.
Gary combined his passion for hiking and Arizona to make lasting contributions to the community. In 1973, he led the establishment of Camelback Mountain and Echo Canyon as a city park, partnering with his brother John, mayor of Phoenix at the time. Gary came up with the summit trail route on Camelback, which ensured the public had access to the top. He also played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. In the 1990s he wrote the book, Camelback, Sacred Mountain of Phoenix, describing in words and photos the history of the mountain, its natural environment, how it became a park, and how Phoenix grew up around it. Gary later spoke about the impact of this legacy, saying, "To me, the most redeeming and interesting thing about the Phoenix area is the access to incredible hiking. Next to a metropolitan area, you can literally feel like you're in a wilderness."
Gary also served the community in other areas including helping to start the Phoenix Police Silent Witness program and leading the City of Phoenix Streets Commission. Every December, Gary would dress as Santa Claus for parties and home visits to his friends' children and later their grandchildren so they would have a personal Santa connection.
Gary was a devoted father of six children and grandfather of fifteen. He took an active interest in all of them, supporting his children in all their endeavors. He engaged his children, even at a young age, in conversations about important issues. He traveled with the family around the world, and often took children and grandchildren on his business trips. He was a lifetime active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Despite having major leadership roles with tough decisions to make, Gary was known for kindness and efforts to uplift those around him. This encouraging attitude towards others was felt by hundreds of co-workers, community members, and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Kay, daughters Katie and Elizabeth who died as babies, his siblings John and Lois, and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Anne Christensen, his four adult children: Rebecca [Dan], Taylor [Shawna], Kimberly, and Benjamin [Andrea], fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Orin.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Palo Verde Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 6840 E Gold Dust Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
Posted online on September 10, 2023
Published in The Arizona Republic
Gary Harmon Driggs of Paradise Valley passed away at his home at the age of 89 on Aug. 22, 2023. Gary was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on a lucky Friday July 13, 1934, to Douglas Harmon Driggs and Effie Killian Driggs. He led an extraordinary life as a business, community, and family leader.
Gary grew up in Phoenix and graduated from West High School in 1952. He was an Eagle Scout and founded the Kachinas, a rock-climbing Boy Scout group, which pioneered many of the Arizona climbing routes in the 1940s and 1950s. At the age of 17, he was the first recorded person to climb to the top of the Praying Monk rock formation on Camelback Mountain. He worked on the High School Newspaper and won the Reg Manning Award as Arizona's Outstanding High School Journalist. He also placed second in the American Legion's statewide speech contest, losing the top prize to future United States Solicitor General, Rex Lee, who became a friend in college.
He then attended Stanford University, where he was a member of the Rugby team (despite his 5 feet 6 inches height), Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the Alpine Club. After two years in Palo Alto, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Finland for nearly three years, learning to speak fluent Finnish, one of the world's most difficult languages. He asked to extend his mission beyond the normal duration because he loved working with the Finnish people.
Following his mission, Gary completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, where he met his future wife, Kay Taylor, in a Sunday School class he was teaching. The topic of the lesson that Gary taught that day was eternal marriage. At BYU, he was a student leader and President of Inter Organizational Council (IOC), which oversaw all the student organizations on campus. Within weeks of graduation, the couple married in June 1959.
The newlywed couple then moved to Bloomington to attend Indiana University where Gary completed a Doctorate in Business Administration, while Kay earned her master's degree in literature. Following their graduate degrees, they returned to Gary's hometown Phoenix where they lived the rest of their lives. Gary worked at Western Savings, eventually serving as CEO for over 15 years. His Forecast 80s research and lecture series from 1979 - 1985, which analyzed prospects for the Arizona economy, was attended by thousands of local business leaders and public officials. His vision for Phoenix's development, especially in the East Valley, can be seen today in numerous commercial buildings, home developments, and shopping areas.
In the 1990s, after the savings and loan crisis, Gary built a second career in hospitality, including management of nine hotels. He acquired and grew an electronics company, ironically named Covid; more than 30 years after its founding, the pandemic stole his business's name! Throughout his career, Gary demonstrated remarkable resilience, optimism, and an ability to grow businesses. He was also known among business associates and friends for his great sense of humor and witty expressions.
Outside of work, Gary remained a lifelong mountaineer. In his younger years, he led climbing expeditions in the Coast Range and Bugaboos of British Columbia, the Swiss Alps, and the Tetons of Wyoming. In 1953 he became the fourth person in history to summit the famous Lost Arrow rock formation in Yosemite. Even in his late 50s, he joined expeditions to remote mountains in Yunnan Province, China, and made a first ascent of an 18,000-foot peak.
Gary combined his passion for hiking and Arizona to make lasting contributions to the community. In 1973, he led the establishment of Camelback Mountain and Echo Canyon as a city park, partnering with his brother John, mayor of Phoenix at the time. Gary came up with the summit trail route on Camelback, which ensured the public had access to the top. He also played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. In the 1990s he wrote the book, Camelback, Sacred Mountain of Phoenix, describing in words and photos the history of the mountain, its natural environment, how it became a park, and how Phoenix grew up around it. Gary later spoke about the impact of this legacy, saying, "To me, the most redeeming and interesting thing about the Phoenix area is the access to incredible hiking. Next to a metropolitan area, you can literally feel like you're in a wilderness."
Gary also served the community in other areas including helping to start the Phoenix Police Silent Witness program and leading the City of Phoenix Streets Commission. Every December, Gary would dress as Santa Claus for parties and home visits to his friends' children and later their grandchildren so they would have a personal Santa connection.
Gary was a devoted father of six children and grandfather of fifteen. He took an active interest in all of them, supporting his children in all their endeavors. He engaged his children, even at a young age, in conversations about important issues. He traveled with the family around the world, and often took children and grandchildren on his business trips. He was a lifetime active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Despite having major leadership roles with tough decisions to make, Gary was known for kindness and efforts to uplift those around him. This encouraging attitude towards others was felt by hundreds of co-workers, community members, and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Kay, daughters Katie and Elizabeth who died as babies, his siblings John and Lois, and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Anne Christensen, his four adult children: Rebecca [Dan], Taylor [Shawna], Kimberly, and Benjamin [Andrea], fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Orin.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Palo Verde Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 6840 E Gold Dust Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
Posted online on September 10, 2023
Published in The Arizona Republic
Gary grew up in Phoenix and graduated from West High School in 1952. He was an Eagle Scout and founded the Kachinas, a rock-climbing Boy Scout group, which pioneered many of the Arizona climbing routes in the 1940s and 1950s. At the age of 17, he was the first recorded person to climb to the top of the Praying Monk rock formation on Camelback Mountain. He worked on the High School Newspaper and won the Reg Manning Award as Arizona's Outstanding High School Journalist. He also placed second in the American Legion's statewide speech contest, losing the top prize to future United States Solicitor General, Rex Lee, who became a friend in college.
He then attended Stanford University, where he was a member of the Rugby team (despite his 5 feet 6 inches height), Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the Alpine Club. After two years in Palo Alto, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Finland for nearly three years, learning to speak fluent Finnish, one of the world's most difficult languages. He asked to extend his mission beyond the normal duration because he loved working with the Finnish people.
Following his mission, Gary completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, where he met his future wife, Kay Taylor, in a Sunday School class he was teaching. The topic of the lesson that Gary taught that day was eternal marriage. At BYU, he was a student leader and President of Inter Organizational Council (IOC), which oversaw all the student organizations on campus. Within weeks of graduation, the couple married in June 1959.
The newlywed couple then moved to Bloomington to attend Indiana University where Gary completed a Doctorate in Business Administration, while Kay earned her master's degree in literature. Following their graduate degrees, they returned to Gary's hometown Phoenix where they lived the rest of their lives. Gary worked at Western Savings, eventually serving as CEO for over 15 years. His Forecast 80s research and lecture series from 1979 - 1985, which analyzed prospects for the Arizona economy, was attended by thousands of local business leaders and public officials. His vision for Phoenix's development, especially in the East Valley, can be seen today in numerous commercial buildings, home developments, and shopping areas.
In the 1990s, after the savings and loan crisis, Gary built a second career in hospitality, including management of nine hotels. He acquired and grew an electronics company, ironically named Covid; more than 30 years after its founding, the pandemic stole his business's name! Throughout his career, Gary demonstrated remarkable resilience, optimism, and an ability to grow businesses. He was also known among business associates and friends for his great sense of humor and witty expressions.
Outside of work, Gary remained a lifelong mountaineer. In his younger years, he led climbing expeditions in the Coast Range and Bugaboos of British Columbia, the Swiss Alps, and the Tetons of Wyoming. In 1953 he became the fourth person in history to summit the famous Lost Arrow rock formation in Yosemite. Even in his late 50s, he joined expeditions to remote mountains in Yunnan Province, China, and made a first ascent of an 18,000-foot peak.
Gary combined his passion for hiking and Arizona to make lasting contributions to the community. In 1973, he led the establishment of Camelback Mountain and Echo Canyon as a city park, partnering with his brother John, mayor of Phoenix at the time. Gary came up with the summit trail route on Camelback, which ensured the public had access to the top. He also played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. In the 1990s he wrote the book, Camelback, Sacred Mountain of Phoenix, describing in words and photos the history of the mountain, its natural environment, how it became a park, and how Phoenix grew up around it. Gary later spoke about the impact of this legacy, saying, "To me, the most redeeming and interesting thing about the Phoenix area is the access to incredible hiking. Next to a metropolitan area, you can literally feel like you're in a wilderness."
Gary also served the community in other areas including helping to start the Phoenix Police Silent Witness program and leading the City of Phoenix Streets Commission. Every December, Gary would dress as Santa Claus for parties and home visits to his friends' children and later their grandchildren so they would have a personal Santa connection.
Gary was a devoted father of six children and grandfather of fifteen. He took an active interest in all of them, supporting his children in all their endeavors. He engaged his children, even at a young age, in conversations about important issues. He traveled with the family around the world, and often took children and grandchildren on his business trips. He was a lifetime active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Despite having major leadership roles with tough decisions to make, Gary was known for kindness and efforts to uplift those around him. This encouraging attitude towards others was felt by hundreds of co-workers, community members, and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Kay, daughters Katie and Elizabeth who died as babies, his siblings John and Lois, and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Anne Christensen, his four adult children: Rebecca [Dan], Taylor [Shawna], Kimberly, and Benjamin [Andrea], fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Orin.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Palo Verde Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 6840 E Gold Dust Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
Posted online on September 10, 2023
Published in The Arizona Republic
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