Ronald Clifton Mansfield's Obituary
Ronald Clifton Mansfield passed away February 10, 2013 at the age of 79 from Parkinson’s Disease. He was born December 22, 1933 in Salina, Utah. He was the first child of Rulon Mansfield and Ilene Poulson. When he was very young his parents moved to Los Angeles, California in search of work. They later moved to San Francisco and Ron told stories of the night Pearl Harbor was bombed. The family then moved back to Utah where employment was available to his dad in the building of Geneva Steel. Ron learned the value of hard work at an early age. Hoeing long rows of sugar beets, picking and selling water cress and packing crates of raspberries were some of the tasks he was required to do. His hardest job was collecting payments from his newspaper route customers. Ron graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Brigham Young University. He met the love of his life, Marilyn Griffiths, when she was ushering at the Scera Theater. Once he got the courage to ask for a date they were together from then on. They were married September 15, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ron worked for over thirty years at Geneva Steel in the Production Planning Department. He then spent twelve years working at Utah Valley University where he made lifelong friends. Ron loved to travel and was interested in World War II history. He always had a beautiful yard and planted a huge garden so his boys could learn how to work. He spent many hours building the family cabin at Bear Lake. Ron was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He willingly served in any calling, which included Stake Sunday School President, Ward Clerk, High Priest Group Leader and lifelong Home Teacher. His most proud accomplishment was his outstanding family of six sons. There are six Eagle Scouts, six college graduates-many with advanced degrees, many missionaries and six wonderful daughters-in-law. His boys always knew that they could ask for his help, whether it was finding a part at a yard sale or painting a house; he was always there for them. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons Mark Clifton (Suzanne Greenland) Tucson, Arizona, Paul Jay (Kerry Carlson) American Fork, Utah, Steven Rulon (Gayle Haderlie) Hyde Park, Utah, John Thomas (Pamela Hansen) Castle Rock, Washington, Scott Ronald (Jillanna Harward) Springville, Utah, Michael Loren (Alyson Tayler) Lindon, Utah. Ron is the proud grandfather of 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Each new addition to the family was a thrill to him. He is also survived by his brother Jay Mansfield (Norma) and sisters Karen Belliston and Darlene Thatcher (Robert). He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Keith Belliston. A viewing will be held at the Lindon Central Stake Center 56 East 600 North (west of the Lindon Cemetery) Friday, February 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 to 10:45 am on Saturday morning, February 16, with services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery. The family is very grateful for the kind and patient care by the Ashford Memory Care Center.
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