Ronald Verne Misik's Obituary
Ronald Verne Misik passed away on January 31, 2026, surrounded by love and leaving behind a legacy of hard work, curiosity, laughter, generosity, and a life well lived—usually after doing plenty of research first.
Ron was born in Nogales, Arizona, on December 17, 1944, and grew up in Salida, Colorado, where he developed the grit and work ethic that would define his life. He proudly served six years, from 1962 to 1968, in the United States Navy as a medic, an experience that reflected his calm demeanor and natural instinct to help others.
After his service, Ron met and married the love of his life, Carol Randall, in 1969. Together, they relocated to Clinton, and later, Layton, Utah and built a life filled with dedication, laughter, and mutual respect that lasted throughout their 56 years of marriage.
Ron worked in the coal mines and on the railroad before he graduated from Western State College in 1971, eventually retiring from the State of Utah. He was never afraid of hard work and always committed to doing things the right way.
He was a devoted husband and a proud father to Amy and BJ, who learned early on the value of hard work, honesty, and listening carefully—especially when Dad had done the research. Ron was passionate about his health and strength and enjoyed weightlifting long before it was cool. He loved the outdoors, especially camping and fishing, and was known as an excellent fisherman; patient, skilled, and confident. He knew exactly what bait worked best (and why).
Ron was a longtime little league baseball coach, with a keen eye for talent and a gift for encouraging young players. He loved teaching, mentoring, and helping kids improve, often spotting potential in someone long before others did.
An incredible mechanic, Ron could fix just about anything. He spent countless hours working on his old Dodge truck, keeping it running through equal parts skill, persistence, and determination. He was also famously meticulous, especially when it came to his yard, which was always trimmed, tidy, and very much up to Ron’s standards. If something was crooked, broken, or inefficient, Ron noticed, and fixed it.
Ron enjoyed trips to the casino, where he took great pride in “getting the best of them,” particularly on the slot machines. True to his generous nature, he always shared his winnings, because for Ron, winning was more fun when everyone benefited.
Those who knew Ron knew his greatest strength was his knowledge. From vitamins to vacuums, he researched everything thoroughly, knew exactly what was best, and was more than happy to explain it in great detail, and often twice, just to be sure you really understood.
Ron was the undisputed “World’s Best Papa” to his five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. It was always a good day when you pulled into Nana and Papa’s driveway and saw Papa standing out front smoking a cigar (and later a vape pen). You could often find him doing anything and everything to make a baby giggle, sneaking the kids a treat from his treat drawer, teaching them how to play poker, helping them play pranks, going on his famous “money walks,” and making them “pull his finger” (he would absolutely love that this made it into a summary of his life).
If we could share one of the most important things Ron taught us, it would be the value of enjoying life’s simple pleasures: a good story, a warm summer day, a great cup of coffee, catching up with a friend, a cigar in the garage, a perfectly ripe tomato from the garden, a new episode of Survivor, and a well-timed, slightly inappropriate joke.
He will be remembered as kind, funny, thoughtful, generous, endlessly curious, and deeply devoted to his family. He leaves behind a lifetime of lessons, a closet full of flannels that miraculously survived decades of wear, a well-kept yard, and countless stories that will continue to be shared, sometimes with a laugh, sometimes with a nod, and always with love. While we will miss him deeply, we imagine he’s somewhere with a cigar in one hand, a fishing pole in the other, telling an irreverent joke, and enjoying the kind of well-earned rest that comes from a life well-lived.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Ron’s incredible neighbors—his tight-knit community and the many friends who knew him as the neighborhood handyman and helper to all. Your kindness, friendship, and support have meant more than words can express and will continue to be a source of strength and comfort for Carol.
The family is also deeply grateful to Kristi and everyone at A+ Hospice for their compassion, care, and unwavering support during Ron’s final days. Your love and kindness brought comfort to both Ron and our family when it was needed most.
Ron is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Amy Wallace (John) and Ben/BJ Misik (Loni); his brother, Fred Misik; his sister, Linda Glenn; his grandchildren, Caitlin (Kody), Dawson, Brylie, Harper, and Mason; and his great-grandchildren, Silas, Indie, and Romy.
A Celebration of Life honoring Ron will take place on Thursday, February 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Roosters Event Space, located at 748 Heritage Park Blvd., Layton, Utah 84041.
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