Gordon W. Jex

Gordon W. Jex, 78, died peacefully after a three-year battle post stroke on February 20, 2021 at home with his family. He was born November 24, 1942 in Santa Monica, California to Richard Thomas and Edith (Woolley) Jex, the second of five children.

Gordon graduated from Santa Monica High School, Class of 1960. After high school Gordon was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, but instead chose to play football for Brigham Young University. After a season-ending injury he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the North Mexico Mission from 1962 to 1964. Upon returning home from his mission Gordon’s health did not allow him to return to football, but he did return to BYU where he met his eternal companion Maryann Roderick and was married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 11, 1965. They eventually settled in Granada Hills, California where they lived for 48 years until recently relocating to Utah. Gordon and Maryann celebrated 55 years together this last June. Gordon still lit up each time Maryann walked into the room.

In 1968, Gordon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Minor in Finance from Brigham Young University. He would go on to work as an entrepreneur often focusing in insurance and investment planning.

Throughout much of his adult life Gordon could be found serving in many capacities for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including serving in Young Men’s, Bishoprics, High Councils, as a Seventy, and as a Stake President. He also served in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the Silver Beaver Award in 2005. 

Gordon could often be found working in his garden growing some of the biggest and best vegetables in town, attending sporting events or playing games with family and friends. He enjoyed boating, especially exploring Lake Powell, and one on one talks. Gordon will always be remembered as a cheerful, hard worker, who was fiercely loyal to family and friends. He was a disciple of Christ in all aspects of his life and always an eternal optimist. 

In addition to his parents Richard Thomas Jex and Edith Woolley Jex, he was preceded in death by his son Ryan Thomas Jex and brother-in-law Christopher Stephen Bird. He is survived by his wife Maryann Roderick Jex (American Fork, Utah), his son David Roderick Jex and wife Donna (Highland, Utah), his daughter Angela Kirkby and  husband Sean (Orem, Utah), his son William Mark Jex and wife Gayle (Highland, Utah), his daughter Jeanine Shelley and husband Kade (Idaho Falls, Idaho), his daughter Kimberly Gerun and husband Teddy (Lehi, Utah); 22 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; his siblings Richard and Lana Jex, Marilyn Bird, Lorraine and Dave Barlow, and Keith and Lianne Jex; and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 am on Friday February 26, 2021 at the Pleasant Grove Manila Stake Center, 850 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. A viewing will be held at the same building prior to the service with an open casket from 8:30 to 9:15 am and closed casket from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment will be at the Holladay Memorial Cemetery in Holladay, Utah at 1:30 pm. 

To view the service virtually please go to: www.youtube.com/channel/UC0DruGJ7d5nmSULndWIYPd/videos

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund.