Obituary for Gary Koutnik
GARY W. (G-DAWG) KOUTNIK
Gary Wayne Koutnik of Ketchum, Idaho passed away on April 14, 2021. Gary was born to Rubye Laverne Koutnik (Davis) and Louis James (L James) Koutnik on April 3, 1956.
Gary was raised in Twin Falls, Idaho and attended the Lutheran School, Washington Elementary, O’Leary Junior High, Robert Stuart Junior High and eventually graduated from Twin Falls High School. After attending the College of Southern Idaho and obtaining degrees in Liberal Arts, Real Estate, and Business, he eventually graduated from Boise State University with a BBA in Business Management-GO BRONCOS.
Gary began his career as a real estate appraiser and analyst in the summer between his 8th and 9th grade working for his father. That allowed him to buy his first and favorite car a white 1963 Triumph Spitfire. His career spanned 48 years and he was an original author of the Idaho State Certified Real Estate Appraiser Law. He was a founding member of the Idaho Real Estate Appraiser Board and served three years in that capacity.
Gary served his profession on many national, state, and local boards. He was a past president of the Idaho Chapter of the Society of Real Estate Appraiser and a past president of the Idaho Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Gary owned and operated, with his best friend and wife Debra, Western Appraisal and Investment Company for many years. He really enjoyed helping people with their real estate issues and he played a big part in assisting many of the building projects that dot the landscape in South Central Idaho.
Gary met his best friend and partner Deb in 1978 while she was washing her car at Shoshone Falls—he was smitten. After a courtship of two years they were married. Two years later, they had their daughter Jessica. They raised their little “Boo” in Twin Falls. Eventually she moved to California where she graduated from college.
Gary and Deb decided in 2008 to move to Ketchum, Idaho to be closer to their favorite sport of skiing. They lived 320 steps from the base of “Baldy” and spent many happy days with their friends cruising the groomers building up 35,000 feet of “vert” on a typical day. Skiing wasn’t the only sport that Gary and Deb enjoyed. They loved golf and hiking the many trails in the Wood River Valley. You would also often see them on their bikes together pedaling to one of their lunch spots downtown. Deb and Gary were rarely apart.
Gary did have some health problems. He battled and beat throat cancer in 2001. After years of back problems, which were hampering his skiing, he had surgery and was successfully rehabilitated in 2013. This allowed him to ski, bike, and hike up until he started having other health problems.
Gary loved animals and he and Deb always had a dog. Eric the German Shepard was with them for 13 years. Ruskin (the ornery) was with them for another 13 years. The best dog ever, Brewster was with them until Gary passed away.
Gary is survived by his wife Debra Mae, his daughter, Jessica Lynn Muchow (Scott); his dog, Brewster; brother, Brett (Jan) Koutnik; nephews, Phillip (Natasha) Koutnik and Christopher Koutnik, and a great-niece, Emerson Koutnik.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers any memorial donations be given to the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute 725 Pole Line Rd. Twin Falls ID 83301 or The Senior Connection Meals on Wheels, PO Box 28 Hailey ID 83333. A celebration of life open house will be held at 7:00p.m., Friday, April 23, 2021 at Windsor’s Nursery, 3796 N 3386 E, Kimberly Road, Kimberly. Interment will follow at the Ketchum Cemetery at a later date. “Written by Gary, edited by Deb”
Friends are invited to share a memory or photo on Gary's tribute page at www.serenityfuneralchapel.com Cremation is under the care of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls.
Gary Wayne Koutnik of Ketchum, Idaho passed away on April 14, 2021. Gary was born to Rubye Laverne Koutnik (Davis) and Louis James (L James) Koutnik on April 3, 1956.
Gary was raised in Twin Falls, Idaho and attended the Lutheran School, Washington Elementary, O’Leary Junior High, Robert Stuart Junior High and eventually graduated from Twin Falls High School. After attending the College of Southern Idaho and obtaining degrees in Liberal Arts, Real Estate, and Business, he eventually graduated from Boise State University with a BBA in Business Management-GO BRONCOS.
Gary began his career as a real estate appraiser and analyst in the summer between his 8th and 9th grade working for his father. That allowed him to buy his first and favorite car a white 1963 Triumph Spitfire. His career spanned 48 years and he was an original author of the Idaho State Certified Real Estate Appraiser Law. He was a founding member of the Idaho Real Estate Appraiser Board and served three years in that capacity.
Gary served his profession on many national, state, and local boards. He was a past president of the Idaho Chapter of the Society of Real Estate Appraiser and a past president of the Idaho Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Gary owned and operated, with his best friend and wife Debra, Western Appraisal and Investment Company for many years. He really enjoyed helping people with their real estate issues and he played a big part in assisting many of the building projects that dot the landscape in South Central Idaho.
Gary met his best friend and partner Deb in 1978 while she was washing her car at Shoshone Falls—he was smitten. After a courtship of two years they were married. Two years later, they had their daughter Jessica. They raised their little “Boo” in Twin Falls. Eventually she moved to California where she graduated from college.
Gary and Deb decided in 2008 to move to Ketchum, Idaho to be closer to their favorite sport of skiing. They lived 320 steps from the base of “Baldy” and spent many happy days with their friends cruising the groomers building up 35,000 feet of “vert” on a typical day. Skiing wasn’t the only sport that Gary and Deb enjoyed. They loved golf and hiking the many trails in the Wood River Valley. You would also often see them on their bikes together pedaling to one of their lunch spots downtown. Deb and Gary were rarely apart.
Gary did have some health problems. He battled and beat throat cancer in 2001. After years of back problems, which were hampering his skiing, he had surgery and was successfully rehabilitated in 2013. This allowed him to ski, bike, and hike up until he started having other health problems.
Gary loved animals and he and Deb always had a dog. Eric the German Shepard was with them for 13 years. Ruskin (the ornery) was with them for another 13 years. The best dog ever, Brewster was with them until Gary passed away.
Gary is survived by his wife Debra Mae, his daughter, Jessica Lynn Muchow (Scott); his dog, Brewster; brother, Brett (Jan) Koutnik; nephews, Phillip (Natasha) Koutnik and Christopher Koutnik, and a great-niece, Emerson Koutnik.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers any memorial donations be given to the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute 725 Pole Line Rd. Twin Falls ID 83301 or The Senior Connection Meals on Wheels, PO Box 28 Hailey ID 83333. A celebration of life open house will be held at 7:00p.m., Friday, April 23, 2021 at Windsor’s Nursery, 3796 N 3386 E, Kimberly Road, Kimberly. Interment will follow at the Ketchum Cemetery at a later date. “Written by Gary, edited by Deb”
Friends are invited to share a memory or photo on Gary's tribute page at www.serenityfuneralchapel.com Cremation is under the care of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls.