Randolph R. Gibson
Randolph Ray Gibson died Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Taylorsville, Utah, at the age of 89.
He was born on June 14, 1931, in Union Grove, Ala., the son of Roy Eugene Gibson and Estelle Mae Stidger Gibson.
Everyone called our dad Ray through his life. He was a talented athlete who played minor league baseball 70 years ago. He joined the U.S. Navy, and was stationed in Southern California. He served on the USS Rochester during the Korean War.
On April 23, 1953, Ray married Mary Jeannette Jewett, in Long Beach, Calif. Their marriage was later solemnized on November 12, 1955, in the St. George, Utah, temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both Ray and Mary were converts to the LDS Church.
After his service in the Navy, the young couple established roots in Long Beach, Calif. Ray worked two and a half years with Douglas Aircraft before beginning a long, distinguished career with the Long Beach City Fire Department, retiring as a captain. Ray and Mary raised seven children in Long Beach. They were strong members of their faith. Ray served in many callings, including as an LDS stake missionary.
Ray and Mary retired in 1987 and moved to the Salt Lake City area. Ray enjoyed being close to his children, and dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He worked as a volunteer in an LDS temple. He maintained a monthly family letter for a couple of decades, wrote doctrinal books for family, and his autobiography. He also maintained close relationships with his family in Alabama.
He continued to enjoy sports. Despite the inevitable limitations of age, he was still exercising regularly up to the last few months of life. Ray was a world-class master’s athlete for 30-plus years. He excelled in the mile run as well as the 5K and 10K distance races. He competed in the Senior Olympics and other top-competition events. He earned All-American status as a runner. A lifetime softball player, he enjoyed playing in his 70s with a local team that competed in the Utah Senior Games.
Ray is survived by seven children, Carla (Lanny) Smith, Jane (Stuart) King, Nancy (Bart) Bowen, Carol (Steve) Hastings, Missy (Tom) Benedict, Doug (Kati) Gibson, and David (Sharon) Gibson. He is survived by 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary J. Gibson, his namesake grandson, Randolph Ray Gibson, his brother, Paul, and his sister, Barbara (Conley).
Funeral services will be streamed on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:00 am. Please follow the link to attend services:
Interment will take place at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City, Utah.