Ronald J Day was born on October 24, 1946 in Price, Utah to his proud parents, Joseph Merrill Day and LaVerne Humphrey. Ron was born without hips, knees, or ankle joints in either leg, so doctors believed he would never walk. However, due to Ron's sheer tenacity and many surgeries, Ron walked throughout his life with the use of crutches and canes. He never complained about his handicap, and was unfailingly cheerful throughout his life.
As the fourth of six children on a busy farm, Ron completed his share of work including milking cows, raising chickens, and driving the tractor. Some of his favorite childhood accomplishments included building a wooden bookcase, being a successful debater, and winning a bike race in which he used his hands to pedal (he won because he wanted the nickel first prize so badly).
In high school, he raised a pig that won first place in the State Fair, and the prize money paid for his first year of college at CEU.
Despite his handicap, Ron wanted to serve a mission so he drove to Salt Lake City to meet with Gordon B. Hinckley, who at that time was the head of the Church Missionary Department. Pres. Hinckley honorably excused Ron from missionary service and encouraged him to attend the University of Utah.
Ron later transferred to the University of Utah where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's of Business Administration. He married the love of his life whom he met at the U, Talma Lamb, on December 21, 1973 in the Provo Temple. 11 months later, Ron had both a CPA license and a son, the first of their four children.
Ron worked throughout his life as a government accountant, first for Salt Lake County and later as the Controller of Central Valley Water. He also helped dozens of individuals do their taxes each year (including just weeks before his death), and taught accounting at Salt Lake Community College. His students awarded him the Students' Choice Outstanding Teacher in Business for the 1988-1989 school year.
Ron was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. He served in many church callings including in the Bishopric, Stake Mission Presidency, Young Mens, Sunday School, and High Priests Group. He didn't enjoy camping but he regularly attended scout camp overnighters and helped all three of his sons earn their Eagles. His favorite scriptures were of the Savior healing the lame man and the promise of the resurrection.
He most enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. He coached his children in chess, debate, basketball and other sports. He attended the concerts and performances of his children, attended the daddy daughter dance, and took the family on annual vacations for many years. Some of the favorites included returning to his honeymoon location in San Diego and Sea World, visiting Yellowstone, and seeing San Francisco and the Redwood Forest. In San Francisco and on Huntington Beach, his children carried him as he sat on his cane or on a chair like an Egyptian Pharaoh.
Ron was known for his love of sports, Westerns, animals, farms, Church history and Church doctrine, his thrifty ways, his love of buffets, his sense of humor, (especially about his own physical limitations), playing the game of sevens, taking his grandkids on scooter rides, and reading the newspaper (especially the Wall Street Journal).
Ron passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2017, surrounded by his wife and children. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his 4 brothers and one sister, his beautiful wife, Talma, their children, David (Tera), Jonathan (TBD), Rebecca (Jesse), and William (Angela), and by his 13 incredible grandchildren. He leaves behind a lifelong legacy of faith, sacrifice, humor, perseverance, hard work, success, and love.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 6, at 11:00 AM in the West Jordan Utah Stake Center located at 2666 West 7000 South West in West Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held at that same location on the evening of Monday, June 5, from 6 to 8 pm, and on Tuesday, June 6 from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. Internment at Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 East Dimple Dell Road [10600 South], Sandy Utah) will follow the funeral. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com
