Ronald Gibby

After a short battle with dementia, Ronald Lee Gibby passed away on November 24, 2024, with his wife of 63 years by his side. He was just a week shy of his 89th birthday.

Ron was born on December 2, 1935, in Salt Lake City, UT, to Eldon and Barbara Gibby. He was the first of five boys.

As a child, Ron loved fishing with his grandpa, Daddy Lee; Grandma Allen; parents; and friends. He often spent time at Daddy Lee and Grandma Allen's house, which was just around the corner. When he was 9 years old, he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Salt Lake Tabernacle font. He remained a faithful member all his life.

After graduating from Granite High School in Salt Lake City (go Farmers!), Ron enlisted in the US Army for two years and spent time in Korea and Japan. It was during this time he permanently lost hearing in one ear as there were no ear protections during trainings.

Once he was honorably discharged from the Army, Ron met and began romancing a young beauty named Wilma Taylor. Their first date was to a Nat King Cole concert.

The concert must have worked because Ron and Wilma got married and, on May 4, 1963, were sealed in the Manti Temple.

Ron graduated with a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering in 1964 from the University of Utah (he also earned a BS in ceramic engineering). He immediately secured an engineering job with Westinghouse, and he and Wilma moved with their toddler, David, to Richland, WA, where they remained for over 40 years.

While in Richland, they added five more kids to their brood for a total of 3 boys and 3 girls.

An avid lover of the outdoors, Ron enjoyed hooking the ol' Coleman tent trailer up to the trusty Suburban, and taking his family on summer camping trips to the Oregon Coast, Wenatchee Lake, Priest Lake, and other beautiful camping destinations across Washington and Oregon.

He also spent many hours jogging, participating in fun runs, and cheering on his kids at track and cross-country meets, volleyball games, football games, and piano recitals.

A man of many talents, Ron designed and built a large addition to his home, which included a new family room, master bedroom, master bath, and deck, in order to accommodate his growing family. He also often could be found working on cars in his garage-mostly his beloved BMW-or making some new creation with his circular saw. He was an accomplished stained-glass artist, as well, creating a beautiful stained-glass window for his and Wilma's new master bath.

He served as Bishop of the Richland 3rd Ward, and then the Richland Crestview Ward, for six years. He was known for his friendliness to everyone and his ready laugh.

Ron took an early retirement from Westinghouse after 32 years, and began his next phase of life: RC airplanes. Once an engineer, always an engineer! He built and flew some of the most beautifully crafted RC airplanes anyone has ever seen. At his flying club, he was known as "Captain Ron." Later in life, he would put together incredibly intricate 3-D puzzles of cars, trucks, and trains.

In 2005, Ron and Wilma left the home they'd shared for over 40 years and returned to Utah to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and Ron's parents. Ron was always happy to have his children and grandchildren over; he loved supporting them at their many events and occasions.

Ron, Dad, and Grandpa made an enormous impact on those who knew him; he is dearly missed by many.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Wilma; sons David (Sherrie), Ken (Lisa), and Eric (Natalie); daughters Rachelle Phillips (Scott), Kimberly Hartman (Eddie), and Melanie Nielson (Garth); 27 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Barbara Gibby; grandson, Taylor Gibby; and son-in-law, Garth Nielson.

The family would like to thank Symbii Hospice, especially Ron's nurse Brooke, as well as the staff at Charleston Assisted Living for their loving care of Dad in his final months.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held Saturday, November 30, 11:00 AM, at the LDS Meetinghouse at 947 N Jack Rabbit Run, Saratoga Springs, UT. The service will be preceded by a viewing from 9:45-10:45 AM, and followed by an internment at Crescent Cemetery in Sandy, UT.

Please click on the link below to watch Ron's services via live stream:

 https://youtube.com/live/RJ458M36dyU?feature=share