Gary Salter Sr. went to sleep in Jesus December 14th, 2017, surrounded by family. Gary was welcomed into the world June 9th, 1936 to Bob and Ruth Salter and big sis Barb (Aufderhar). He was best friends with his dad, Bob and the two of them worked together and sang together for years. Gary married Vaughnie (Helde) in 1958 and they welcomed a son Gary Salter Jr (Don) and three daughters, Vicky, Debbie and Pam. The Salter family had many happy years together; hiking on Sabbath, singing to older folks in nursing homes, riding horses and camping together in Pathfinders. Vaughnie and Gary divorced amicably in 1979 and remained good friends until Gary’s passing. In 1980 Gary married his soul mate, Patty (Elsom) and together a new warm and loving home began, known to many as Nanas and Papas. They were two peas in a pod. If there is a place on earth close to what heaven is going to be like, it was Nana and Papas. The blended family included Debbie (Shaffer), Dede (Anderson) and Dan Elsom (affectionately called “Daniel Boone” by dad). People often had no idea this family was blended late in life as we seamlessly transitioned to a large loving family unit. Gary worked nearly 20 years at Yakima Valley School as a caregiver for special needs children, where he was “papa” to many children. Patty and Gary enjoyed 38 years together building a home that welcomed many grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Gary is preceded in death by his father Bob and mother Ruth, granddaughter Angie (Larrabee) and niece Nancy (Harlan) and brother-in-law Bob Colpitts. Gary is survived by his wife Patty, sister Barbara (Glenn) Aufderhar, sister-in-law Vivian Colpitts; sons: Daniel (Paula) Elsom, and Gary D. Salter Jr., daughters: Debbie (Joe) Shaffer, Dede (Brian) Anderson, Vicky Larrabee, Debbie (Brian) Sewell, and Pam (Cleto) Achabal; grandchildren: Valerie (Eli) Edwards, Hollyann (Patrick) Ruspoli, Tyler Steffanson, Jordan Steffanson, Kaylee Sewell, Casey Sewell, Caleb Sewell, Trent Cadwallader, Lila Cadwallader, Justin Elsom, Garrett Elsom and Amorita Achabal; great grandchildren: Scarlet and Maxwell Ruspoli, Tegan Edwards and Ethan Larrabee; nephews: Mike (Brenda) Aufderhar, Ken (Christine) Aufderhar,
Colpitts, Bill (Tina) Colpitts and Bobby Colpitts.

Viewing is Thursday December 21st from 1-4 pm at Toppenish Colonial Funeral Home, 228 S. Alder St., Toppenish.

Graveside service will be Friday, December 22nd at 10 am at West Hills Memorial Park, 11800 Douglas Road, Yakima.

Church service memorial will be Friday, December 22nd at noon at the Yakima 35th Ave. Adventist Church, 507 N. 35th Ave., Yakima.