Gilbert Louis Meier

1928 ~ 2020

Viewing:

July 19, 2020
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
1830 East 6400 South, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Directions to Viewing
  • Service:

    July 20, 2020
    5:00 AM
    1830 East 6400 South, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Directions to Service
  • Our beloved father Gilbert Louis Meier passed away early on the morning of July 12, 2020 at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray Utah due to natural causes; he was 92-years-old. Gil was born to Robert Louis Meier and Sadie Peay on March 15, 1928 in Cincinnati Ohio. His family moved to Utah in 1943 where his father opened Meier’s Market in Holladay.

    Gil had a passion for Big Band music. He loved to jitterbug and told funny stories of dating and dancing at Lagoon, Saltair, and many dance halls around the city. He claimed to have dated more women than any of his friends until he was smitten by the woman who would become his eternal companion. He married Donna Arline Johansen on September 20, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    Gil became a respected high school teacher and coach at Carey High ID, Butte County High ID, Pleasant Grove High UT, and Olympus High UT. He led Olympus to five state wrestling championships (1957, 1959-62) “creating one of the first large school dynasties in Utah wrestling history.” He received honors as inductee into the: 1990 Utah Sports Hall of Fame and Distinguished High School Coach; 2002 as a wrestling official; 2009 Utah Wrestling Hall of Fame; and 1990 Utah Chapter of the Old Time Athlete Association.

    Gil received his undergraduate and Master of Social Work from the University of Utah.
    On faculty at the U, he dedicated his energy to teaching and counseling, creating ground-breaking techniques in his quest to help families and individuals in turmoil. He retired from the Family & Marriage Counseling Center at the U after 30 years. He was always an advocate for the family. In retirement, he and mom served a mission at LDS Family Services in Salt Lake City. Gil had many church callings and served as a bishop; he dearly loved the people of his ward and Cottonwood Stake. Gil was a courteous gentleman to everyone. He especially loved God, his family, and Country.

    Preceded in death by his beautiful wife, daughter Tommylu Dahl, his parents, brothers Robert, Mel, Tom, and sister Rose Howe. He is survived by his children: Shanna, Wade (Leslie) Shelly, Peay (Kelly), Wes (Lynn) and Golden; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and sister Geneva Smith who is 101-years-old.

    Special thanks to his athletes and students who included him in their gatherings and who have expressed the impact Gil had on their lives. Please know that you had a loving impact on him. Special thanks to the medical team at IMC for their care.

    Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 20, 2020 at the Cottonwood Stake Center, 1830 East 6400 South, Salt Lake City, UT. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. There will be no viewing on Monday morning. Interment Larkin Sunset Gardens. Please leave a thought or memory at larkincares.com. Please wear a mask and observe social distancing.

    In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

    If you would like to attend the funeral service remotely, you can simply join us by entering this link into your internet
    https://cisco.webex.com/meet/leericks
    Follow the prompts to enter meeting. Please make sure to mute yourself upon entry.


    Guestbook/Condolences

    Coach you out lived a bunch if us players. You was a great man and coach, class of 59.


    - Dennis Trayner

    Uncle Gil was one of those awesome people who always made you feel special, loved, and important when you were around him. He was the best and will be greatly missed. Love you Uncle Gil. Until we meet again.


    - Robyn Christopherson

    Gil was Avery warm kind person with a wonderful sense of humor.We often would sit by each other at conferences and training sessions.I am a Good sized man like Gil and one of the leaders at a conference said to us you guys look like a couple of tackles on a football team.Gil lived a life that blessed many for the raker good.It was a honor to know him as a fellow social woEked.


    - Dick Macfarlane

    Mr Meier was my teacher, coach and exemplary to never be forgotten. I have been greatful ever since then that I had the privaledge of knowing him. I think of him often and relive the impact he had on me for the rest of my life. "Well done my good and faithful servant".
    Brent Bridge-Olympus High School-1958


    - Brent Bridge

    Sorry for your loss what a nice guy uncle Gil was . He was a sweetheart. We will miss you love and prayers with your family


    - Tory Hagman

    Myself and my family will miss our awesome neighbor. When I first met Gill he had a very ugly dog and I couldn’t understand why anyone would want a slobbering, bulging eyed stinky fat bull dog. After a while I could clearly see he loved that dog and realized that was the kind if person Gill was , he saw past the stuff that didn’t matter and that’s why I respected him so much . The world could use more people like that. Rest In Peace Gill !


    - David Anderson

    Long ago and far away, I worked for Benson Hathaway in his summer construction business as a general contractor. In the summer of 64, I had the privilege of meeting Gil Meier. Gil took the time to work with coach Hathaway on a new home site in the Mt. Olympus cove area. Gil was an immediate friend and most assuredly an amazingly friendly and loving human being. I played football for Skyline and of course took a great deal of Gil’s sense of humor relative to Olympus and Skyline rivalries. He was so very easy to be around and such a great man to take on a punk kid like me at the time and allow me to almost be an equal to him as a friend. I was young and dumb and he was not. But he allowed me to joke with him and to be a friend as I noted. A great human being and my sweet wife Jane Ann’s mother shopped at Meier’s almost exclusively.
    The world will miss him as will his great family, my love and light to the family and please know how much he will continue to love and look after you all.
    Thank you,
    Dan Roberts


    - Dan Roberts

    In 1973 Gil Meier spoke words of encouragement and counsel that changed the direction of my life. Thank you Mr. Meier for being who you were and the interest you had in helping others. You will always be remembered for the service you gave.


    - Morris Lee

    Judy and I are very sorry to hear of Gil’s passing. He is such a wonderfully kind and loving man. It is said of many, but very true in Gil’s case, that he would give anyone the shirt off of his back. I think of Gil as a friend and mentor and will miss him. This world has lost a great soul..
    We are sorry that we can’t attend either the viewing or the funeral, but we certainly extend our condolences to his children and grandchildren. We can all take comfort knowing that he is again with his beloved Donna and his daughter Tommylu, among many others. We wish you comfort and peace going forward. Rob and Judy Reese


    - Robin and Judy Reese

    It was sad to hear of the death of Gil. I have so many good memories of his caring, kindness, and guidance given to me when I was younger. He was the big brother to me when I first started officiating wresting in the mid 70’s and continued to always have kind words for me and my family. He will always be remembered for the examples of service to others, how he touched the hearts of many, and his ability to make those he worked with to always have the desire to improve and do ones best in all things. He was a special gift to us and has a special place in my heart and memories. He will be missed but always remembered. Prayers and thoughts for your family during this time. Gene Kawa


    - Gene Kawa

    Dear Peay, Kellie, Mitch, Meisha and family,
    I am thinking of you and praying for you in your time of loss. Please accept my deepest condolences.
    All the best,
    Robbie, Wyatt and Celia


    - Robert Dostert

    I first met Gil when I came to the U of U Counseling Center in 1978 and knowing him was a delightful pleasure. He was a warm, caring friend and colleague. He was a positive influence in the center and the community. It was a privilege to have known him.


    - Weston Morrill

    condolences to the Meier Family . I knew Gil Meier 1956 57 . Played football on Olympus H S team. played mostly on defense . what a great man Gil was , a fine leader . really learned the game of football . wonderful memories I have never forgotten my whole life . I hope to see him again .


    - DAVID F DAVIS