Gary Layton

Gary was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he lived until the age of 14, when his family moved to Newport, Washington. He graduated from Newport High School and lived there for nearly 20 years before making Yakima his home in 1998. Serving families and friends during times of loss and grief has truly been a calling for Gary. After working for 18 years as a Funeral Arranger and Manager in corporate funeral homes in Yakima, he realized that the corporate philosophy did not always allow him to serve families in the personal and meaningful way he believes they deserve. Wanting to return to the heart of why he chose this profession, Gary joined the team at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home, where the locally owned, family-focused philosophy aligns with his values and commitment to caring for families. He is also a Licensed Pre-Need Funeral Insurance Agent. Gary is the proud father of three daughters and the grandfather of four grandchildren (and growing), and he shares his home with two golden retrievers. He enjoys hiking, camping, and barbecuing with family and friends. Gary is an active member of the Yakima Southwest Rotary, volunteers at the Union Gospel Mission, serves as a Knight of Columbus at Holy Family Catholic Church, and is involved in many other community projects. His engaging personality, depth of experience, and genuine heart for others make him a wonderful fit with the staff and vision of Brookside Funeral Home. In addition, Gary has completed the certification to become a Certified Therapy Dog Handler for Beacon, further extending his passion for bringing comfort and support to others.