Garrie McLaws

Garrie Wayne McLaws
January 28, 1945 – November 8, 2026

Two Tooele High sweethearts and eternal companions have been reunited once again. After more than six decades together and a year and a half apart, Garrie Wayne McLaws has returned to the loving arms of his beloved wife, Marie, on November 8, 2026.

He was born January 28, 1945, to Ross Fullmer McLaws and Audrey Matilda (Martin) McLaws and grew up alongside his older brother, Paul Ross McLaws.

Garrie and Marie were married on February 22, 1963, as seniors at Tooele High School and were privileged to lead their class out at graduation as Mr. and Mrs. McLaws. Together they raised their four children: Shanna Kris (1964-1974), Sharie, Shalayne, and Garrie Jr. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren: Autumn, Aubrie, Tyson, Alysha, Gavin, Aija, Makinnley, Zachery, and Ashton. Other wonderful blessings were their ten great-grandchildren: Kylor, Paris, Silas, Harlow, Hadley, Sailor, Harper, Roma, Haven, and Holland.

Garrie was a gifted athlete; he was a four-year letterman (1960-1963) in swimming and diving at Tooele High School. He and Marie attended Weber State College where Garrie went on to compete as a collegiate swimmer and diver. He and Marie enjoyed being in the golfing and bowling leagues together. He also enjoyed playing racquetball and ward softball in his earlier years and in his later years went to the Summer Games and Senior Games where he earned many gold and silver medals in swimming. Garrie continued swimming several times a week right up to his last several months on earth.

Garrie was a faithful and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout his life, he served in many callings, including Bishop, counselors in the bishopric, High Priest Group Leader, a member of the Stake High Council, leader in the Young Men’s Organization, and serving as a Bountiful Temple ordinance worker for 15 years. Garrie and Marie were also able to serve a two-year Salt Lake City, Utah inner-city mission together.

Garrie built his career in the information technology industry, working for several companies and organizations throughout the years, including IML, TMS, Beehive International, Iomega Corporation, and the University of Utah. He retired from the State of Utah, where he oversaw IT operations for the DMV offices statewide.

Some of the family’s fondest memories were made of the many adventures Garrie and Marie shared with their children and grandchildren. Family vacations included floating the
Green River, fishing, learning to shoot, trips to Disneyland, deep sea fishing, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, Oregon trips, St. George, Hawaii and many more places. Garrie and Marie went to Hawaii many times with Kauai being their favorite island. These memories will always be treasured.

Garrie had a playful sense of humor and would often answer the phone with his familiar, “Top of the temple, Moroni speaking,” or calling someone a “rusty bucket of bolts,” or convincing the grandchildren that he could walk on water. Everyone would agree though that the favorite was telling the family that he “chases Mimi around in his pink Speedo.” These memories will bring smiles for years to come.

Garrie was preceded in death by his eternal companion, Marie Elaina (Harris) McLaws (1944-2025); his daughter, Shanna Kris McLaws (1964-1974); his parents; his brother, Paul R. McLaws (1943-1994); his in-laws, Glen Dalton Harris and Mildred Amelia (Bosta) Harris; and his son-in-law, Jason vonWeller (1975-2019).

Surviving Garrie are daughter, Sharie Evans (Mark); daughter, Shalayne vonWeller (Jason); son, Garrie Wayne McLaws Jr; his sister-in-law, Karen McLaws (Paul); his brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Maurine Harris, his grandchildren and their wonderful spouses, his great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and his little dog, Lady.

A private family graveside service will be held Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Tooele Cemetery.