After surviving many years of serious health struggles—including 2 triple bypass heart surgeries, a stroke, and years of dialysis—the indomitable and cheerful Lawrence Gilman Putnam departed this life peacefully on Saturday, September 15, 2018 surrounded by loving family members on both sides of the veil.

Gil was born on January 14, 1945 to Alvin and Marie Taylor Putnam in Billings Montana. In his early years, his family lived in Billings, Pocatello, and Twin Falls; and moved to Burley when he was 12.  His children often joke about how—no matter where he went—Gil would always run across someone from Burley.

Gil developed a keen love of music early on—especially picking out parts and singing with his beautiful and clear tenor voice.  He taught himself guitar and drums and sang and played in numerous bands over the years.  His love of music continues to be a blessing in the lives of his children's families.

Gil attended BYU, remaining a lifelong fan, and served as a Latter-day Saint missionary for the Alaskan-Canadian mission, and then attended CSI where he met his eternal companion: Janet Dummer (also from Burley).  Gil and Janet celebrated their 50 ^th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Gil was in the Air Force stationed in Japan in their early marriage, but then worked in construction and real estate for most of his life, and—most recently—as a real estate appraiser.

Gil also had a fierce love for the outdoors, he loved skiing, water-skiing, camping, hunting, and especially fishing.

Known by many and loved by all who knew him, Gil is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Hal.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; his sister, CaraLee Manwaring,;his 7 children:  Tiffany Pickett (Jerem), Jacob Putnam (Yvette), Andrew Putnam, Amy Miner (Brandon), Leah Kunz (Josh), Melissa Smith (Courtney), and Matthew Putnam (Brandee); 26 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter.

Gil often joked in later years that he would rather be "seen" than "viewed"; he can be seen once more at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday or at Taylor Mountain Stake Center, 260 Castlerock Lane, at 10-10:45 a.m., Saturday, September 22 ^nd prior to services. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m.   Military rites will be performed graveside by the Bingham County Veterans Team and U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at the Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery following the funeral. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.