Gary Dean Hadley rode his last race at the age of 79 on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. 

Gary was born July 24th to Dean and Nelda Hadley in Ogden, Utah as the oldest of seven children. He attended the old Taylor School and graduated from Weber High School.

He met and married Carol Favero in 1963 and together they had three daughters. At the young age of 13, he started exercising racehorses for his uncle Harold. By the time he was 15, he began his riding career on the circuit in New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Utah. His father had to make a trip to Montana to bring him home in order for Gary to finish high school. He continued riding until the age of 25 while working for the family business, Dean M. Hadley & Sons Construction. He spent many years working on numerous projects including Hobbs Dam, the Great Salt Lake dikes and irrigation canals. Later in his life he had the opportunity to work for Rich Grant, Swift Transportation and Staker Parson, where he met many friends.

Gary had many hobbies in his life including fast horses, fast cars, co-ed softball, hunting, camping, 4 wheeling and attending his grandchildren's many rodeos, ballgames and other activities, which he never missed.

Surviving are his wife, Carol, his daughters, Brenda (Steve) Cox, Becky (Scott) Jorgensen, and Brandi (Kody) Warren, six grandchildren, Tory, Cori, Shanelle, Cooper, Kallee, Wyatt and three great-grandchildren, or as Gary called them "the little critters." He is also survived by two brothers, and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. Gary was loved by many. We will miss him, his humor, his kindness and his love. We invite you to contribute to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

https://www.lindquistmortuary.com/obituaries/gary-hadley