Gail Lee Tuttle

Gail Lee Tuttle, died Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at his home from congestive heart failure. Gail was born May 13, 1930, in Lusk, Wyoming, to Paul M. and Julia La Vesta Tuttle. He was the youngest of four boys and his childhood was spent all over the Midwest and West, including, Hemingford and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Lyons, Wyoming, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, as well as Parma and Apple Valley, Idaho. Most definitely not in that order. His mind was always good and he could recall so many stories from his Dad being a bootlegger to his Mom sorting potatoes for Simplot.

Gail attended four years of school in Apple Valley and then attended Parma, where he graduated in 1949. While at Parma, he was a four year letterman in football. In 1950, he began work at the telephone company for Harper Saunders. He would work here for over 38 years. During these years the company would be known as Owyhee Telephone Company, Continental Telephone Company, General Telephone Company, and he was technically a Verizon Communications retiree. In the early fifties, he spent six months at Radio School in Bakersfield, California and six months studying poleline construction in Greenville, South Carolina. Also at this time, Owyhee Telephone Company received an REA (Rural Electrification Administration) loan, which aided in building telephone lines from Homedale to Jordan Valley, Jordan Valley to Rome and Jordan Valley to South Mountain. These projects were finished in 1955.

On his first day of working at the phone company, Gail asked a fellow employee who the girl was working the switchboard and upon being informed she was Hester Garman, he stated he was going to marry her someday.

Gail married Hester Lou Garman on March 24, 1953, at her parent’s home in Wilder. The couple lived in Homedale until 1992, when they purchased a cabin in Garden Valley and lived there part time. In March 2023, they observed their 70th wedding anniversary.

During his lifetime, Gail was involved in numerous community activities and church functions. He was a member of the Idaho National Guard for 16 years, a member of the Homedale Kiwanis International club, the Wilder Golden Gate Baptist Church and the Deer Flat Free Methodist Church. He also drove ambulance in Homedale for many years and had numerous stories to tell about his time on the “Ambulance Crew.”

In 1979, Gail and Hester were instrumental in organizing Jubilee, Inc., an organization of Christians in the Treasure Valley, who joined together to bring nationally known speakers into the area with emphasis on ministering to troubled youth and adults. Under their leadership, Jubilee‘s were held until 1986.

After retiring in 1989, Gail stayed busy becoming a Master Gardener, remodeling the house on Garman Hill and helping with the new residential address system in Canyon County, which is stilled used today.

Gail loved cooking, watching TV, playing games, golfing, bowling, tinkering and building. There was really nothing he couldn’t do.

In June 2017, Hester broke her pelvis and began to require round-the-clock care. Gail would quit driving at this time. He was so blessed to have such great care over the years by so many, especially Sharon Hall and Ezra Tuttle. He was so thankful to be able to stay at home and then also be able to move to Garman Hill with Rodney and Ezra. He also was so thankful to spend the last four years watching his granddaughter, Macklyn, grow and laugh and play. They were best buds, putting puzzles together, daily hugs and even trying to teach her to play Solitaire.

Gail is survived by a daughter, Patti Hyer (Mike), a son, Rodney (Ezra), and grandchildren, Adam (Bradi), Tabatha (Luis) and Macklyn. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Helen Karn and Marty Cummins and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, Jerry, Kenny (Arlene), Gene (Elsie), a brother and sister-in-law Houston and Nadine Garman, brother-in-law, Glenn Karn, sister and brother-in-law, Harriett and Jene Ambrose and great granddaughter, Austin Hyer.

Memorials may be sent to the Boise Rescue Mission. Special thanks to Dakan Funeral Chapel. Also, a special thanks to all the doctors, nurses and caregivers who helped take such great care of Gail and Hester these last twenty years.

A Celebration of Life will be held for both Gail and Hester at their Garman Hill home on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 1-4. The family requests that you RSVP with Rodney at (208) 401-5312.

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