SLC,UT. - Weston Owen Ison finished his earthly sojourn and returned to his Heavenly Father on July 25, 2017 after a noble and dignified fight with Parkinson\s disease. Wes was born October 30, 1940 in Salt Lake City to his loving parents Marian Marie Cross and Lew Weston Ison Sr. Marian and Lew were also parents of Wes\s siblings, Marian ValJean Ison Wright (Ron) and Gary Leon Ison. In addition, Wes had the opportunity of gaining additional siblings as well as step-parents after his parents divorced and remarried. Wes\s father, Lew, married Wanda Mae Garner and by so doing provided Wes with an incredible step-mother who helped shape and form him. Wanda gave birth to 8 additional children: Lew Weston Ison Jr. (Betsy), Caroline Ison Jensen (Jerry), Roger Ison, Ronald Ison, Grover Clarence Ison, Paula Ison, Dayna Moline Ison, and Faithe Ann Christiansen. Wes\s mother, Marian, also gave birth to 4 other children whom Wes remained close to and whom deeply affected his life: Claude Kimball VanQuill Jr, LuDean Johannah VanQuill Brown (William), Lynn Leon VanQuill, and Gaylen Keith VanQuill (Pamela). Wes graduated from Granite High school in 1958 where he was a member of multiple language clubs and other extracurricular activities.
Wes served a mission for the LDS church in the Uruguay Montivedo Mission. Wes\s devotion to the gospel and service in the church was lifelong and unwavering. He spent countless hours engaged in genealogy and brought the saving ordinances to hundreds of his ancestors. Wes and Elaine were called as service missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 2 years in the baptistery at the Chicago, Illinois temple, 2 years as service missionaries specializing in humanitarian needs in Salt Lake City, and 9 years as missionaries in the Family History Library helping others find their ancestors. Wes graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Wes worked as an engineer for many companies but excelled in his work with medical equipment ‚ including CT scans. Wes knew the importance of education and did everything in his power to make sure that his children had every opportunity at a college education as well.
Wes married Elaine Elizabeth Ranson in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on September 16, 1965 and they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2015. Throughout their marriage, they traveled the United States and lived in various states including Kentucky, Virginia, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Ohio, and Utah.
Wes had a gift for loving others and was compassionate in every way. He was described as a man with a good heart and someone who had no guile and also believed in the importance of family. He went on frequent fishing and hunting trips with his father and brothers while growing up and shared that passion with his children and grandchildren. Wes was also an avid gardener and was constantly tending to his roses and beautiful flower gardens. Wes loved to share his jokes and humor that he learned from Garrison Keillor and Click and Clack on NPR with his children and grandchildren whether it was welcome or not. Wes enjoyed spending his free time listening to all forms of jazz music - specifically Anita Baker, Spyro Gyra, and George Benson. Wes also loved to travel with his family and most of all loved to frequent Hawaii and embraced its culture. Wes had a sincere appreciation for food and would especially love to eat ice cream at any opportunity that presented itself and could always be found with a can of Tab in hand. Wes also loved to teach others and was often explaining to his children and grandchildren about the many wonders of the world.
Wes will be missed by his dear and devoted wife Elaine, their five beautiful children and their spouses, and 22 grandchildren: Lloyd Weston Ison (Pam), Brandon, Joshua, Justin and Dylan; Bryant William Ison (Yvette ‚ first marriage), Calvin, Phoebe, Heath, (Jenner ‚ second marriage) Jack, and Sabrina; Julianne Elaine Ison Hunter, (Edward), Emma, Isaac, Kiera, and Chloe; Marie Ruth Ison Gale (Clinton), Madeleine, Katherine, Cooper, Macguire; Jonathan Niels Ison (Maria), Skyler, Makayla, Makenzie, Haylee and Brooklyn. Wes will also be dearly missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and his supportive friends.
The family would like to thank all of the healthcare professionals who cared for Wes throughout his illness in particular nurse Rachelle. Visiting Angels Senior Care and Beehive Senior Care also played a huge part in Wes and Elaine\s life, particularly caregivers Jamie, Angel, Tammy, Mary, Sela, Justin, Erica, and Emma. The family would also like to thank Symbii Home Health and Hospice, in particular nurses Christie and Eric. Finally, the family would like to extend its deepest thanks to doctor Alison Schlisman, an extraordinary gerontologist. Without the care of these talented and compassionate individuals, Wes would not have been able to live out his final days in the comfort of his own home.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 31st at 11:00 with a visitation at 10:00 at the Highland Park Ward, 2535 Douglas St, Salt Lake City.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate in memory of Weston O. Ison to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson\s Foundation. www.michaeljfox.org/donate
