Gary Dastrup

Profile Updated: August 24, 2014
Gary Dastrup
Residing In: Lehi, UT USA
Spouse/Partner: Michelle
Current and/or Previous Occupation(s): Human Resources Management
Children & Grandchildren: 5 daughters, 12 grandchildren
Yes! Attending Reunion
Tell us some things about what you've been doing since your mission.

I was in a pop/rock/jazz band for several years in So. Cal. immediately following my mission. We played anywhere from San Diego to Ventura. We recorded a demo tape and ultimately 1 album before we split up.

Relocated to Utah early 1980's and aside from work helped my older brother in his circle track stock car racing ventures. I eventually started driving a race car as well. We won several races and track championships together before I was transferred to Dallas, Texas with my job. From Texas back to Utah and then to Great Falls, Montana. Next to Tri Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco), Washington where I was able to work on my golf game and get into the single digit handicap status. After 14 years with American Stores companies - all the transfers and business travel, I left the company and relocated with my family back to Utah. I had always been thankful to my parents for providing us a stable environment growing up and vowed to do the same for my kids.

Unfortunately, my first marriage failed after 14 years. I was able to retain custody of our two daughters. During this time I was working full time, taking care of my daughters and building us a new home in the evenings and weekends. I was a working single dad for three years before getting remarried to Michelle who brought with her three daughters. All five daughters attended and graduated Spanish Fork High School and developed some close friendships. We lived in the house I built for 12 years. During this time I got back into racing. I bought a well used late model stock car and became a rookie in that division at the age of 41. I won Rookie of the year and took 2nd place in the season points championship my first year.

I accepted an HR job in Las Vegas for the last two years of our residence in the Spanish Fork home and I sold the race car. Michelle and I would alternate weekends driving back and forth between Vegas and Spanish Fork. I was then offered and accepted an HR position with a global business based out of the Olympia Washington area. The kids had all finished high school and the job offered me the opportunity to expand my HR skills internationally. I had worked for the CEO previously at a company in Utah and knew he was into racing. He decided he wanted to buy a race car and have me drive it to help advertise our products. How could I say no to that. So in addition to my regular job - with all the responsibilities and travel required, I had to put a race team together and race 16 weekends each year.

After 5 years it became painfully obvious that it was difficult to be so far away from our daughters and grandchildren. We relocated back to Utah and are now able to attend ball games and dance recitals. We live within 5 miles of 4 of our daughters and 7 grand kids. In addition to my immediate family, I have 3 brothers, a sister and a boatload of nieces and nephews who live along the Wasatch Front. As an added bonus, I am managing and acting as crew chief for a multi-car race team based out of Salt Lake City. We have raced in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Washington with success in all states.

A Fun Mission Story:

The most fun story from my mission would have to be when I was a Zone Leader in Lethbridge (my 2nd to last area of service), we had been teaching a single man named Vern who had been through several sets of missionaries in the past. I felt inspired that we were getting through to Vern and that he would soon be ready to accept a baptismal challenge.

As I recall, there were only about 4 or 5 weeks remaining in my mission when I got a call at the end of the day from the AP who informed me that I had been transferred to North Calgary and had to be on the bus early the next morning. I informed the AP that I had been inspired regarding Vern and that as that had not yet happened, I was conflicted. He challenged me to pray about it and if I still felt conflicted to call back and talk with President Beckham.

I did pray about the transfer and about Vern and still felt uneasy so I called and talked with President Beckham. I explained my feelings in depth and in detail with President Beckham and asked why I would get such a strong spiritual inspiration regarding Vern and then have this transfer come by way of inspiration that appeared to conflict with my inspiration. President Beckham asked me if I trusted him and I said yes I did. He asked me if he had ever steered me wrong and I said no. He told me he knew how much I loved and respected my father and encouraged me to call and get his thoughts which I did. After explaining the issue with my father, his counsel was simply this: Trust your Mission President and you will be blessed. I was on the bus the next morning to Calgary.

During the last week of my mission I was talking to Elder Spivey on the phone one evening and he informed me that he and his companion had just challenged a contact to be baptized. The contact had accepted the challenge and he was going to perform the baptism the night before we were going to the mission home to complete our missions. I told him I was very happy for him and that I wished I had the opportunity to baptize again before the end of my mission.

Not five minutes after I had talked to Elder Spivey, I got a phone call and it was Vern. He said he knew the end of my mission was fast approaching and asked what my plans were. I informed him that I was going to the mission home in two days and that I had received permission to ride with some members along with a couple of elders who began their missions with me to attend a temple session in Cardston the following day. I told him we planned on making a quick stop in Lethbridge on the way back to Calgary. Vern said, "if you're not too busy, do you think you might have time to baptize me while you're in Lethbridge?"

The Lord does work in mysterious ways!!

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Feb 15, 2018 at 2:34 AM
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Aug 24, 2017 at 8:50 PM

Nearing the end of your 2017 birthday. Hope you had a great day Elder Teigen!! Great memories of you and Raymond, Alberta I will never forget. Love you man!!

Gary Dastrup has a birthday today.
Feb 15, 2017 at 2:33 AM
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Aug 25, 2016 at 10:47 PM

Posted on: Aug 25, 2016 at 9:23 PM

Sorry I missed wishing you a very Happy Birthday yesterday. Hope it was awesome. Many good times with you in Alberta!! Best wishes to you and your family!

Gary Dastrup posted a message on Carolea Duncan's Profile. New comment added.
Sep 02, 2016 at 8:08 AM

Posted on: Aug 03, 2016 at 7:39 PM

Vancouver, WA eh? I have some friends that live in Vancouver - Randy and Michelle Hullinger. He is a State Trooper. I met them when we were living in Tri Cities (Kennewick). Vancouver is really nice! We lived in the Olympia area for 5 years and would rotate between SeaTac and Portland when flying for business or personal travel, which was monthly during the 5 years. My best to you and your family!

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Feb 16, 2016 at 11:42 AM

Posted on: Feb 15, 2016 at 2:33 AM

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Feb 15, 2015 at 2:33 AM
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Aug 26, 2014 at 8:24 PM




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