Boyd C. Bronson Obituary (1924 - 2013)

Boyd Clinton Bronson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 9, 1924 to Arch Valjean and Hyacinth Nielsen Bronson. He was raised in Monticello, Utah where he was a brilliant student and worked summers during the great depression cutting cedar posts to help support the family. His mother passed away when he was 18 and Boyd left home shortly after he graduated from high school in 1942. He took a job at Hill Air Force Base until he was drafted into the military in 1943 where he volunteered for the Air Force's flight school. He became a radio operator on a B-29 bomber and flew 23 missions from Tinian to Japan near the end of WWII. On a ship coming home from the war, he read the Book of Mormon for the first time. He described that as the turning point in his life. After the war, Boyd enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College and majored in civil engineering. During a break from school work, he and a friend were batting a few tennis balls around when two girls walked by looking for a game. Boyd invited them to play and Gladys Lee jumped over the net to join Boyd's team in a game of doubles. They fell in love and were married in the St. George Temple on July 21, 1948. They made a remarkable team. He was more reserved and cautious, while she was extraverted and adventurous. Boyd graduated with honors in 1950 and worked as a civil engineer for the LDS church before embarking on a 35 year career with US Steel; spending 29 years at the Geneva plant in Orem and another 6 years in the Philippines as a consulting engineer during the construction of a steel mill on the island of Mindanao. In 1967, he ran for, and won, a seat in the Utah House of Representatives, unseating the incumbent Speaker of the House. He served one term and did not seek re-election. Boyd and Gladys raised five children in Salt Lake and Murray. He acquired a profound belief in, love for, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. He served that cause faithfully all of his adult life in many capacities including as Bishop, Stake President, Patriarch, and Temple Sealer. After retirement, Boyd and Gladys served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nairobi, Kenya and Swaziland, Africa. He was a refined and tender man who loved truth, beauty, and goodness, particularly when found in music, literature, and scripture. He also loved golf, cashews, grape juice, and Perry Mason. He was full of integrity and without affectation. He was exceptionally smart and meticulously organized. His faith was firm-rooted. Boyd passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013 in Sandy, Utah at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys, and by a grandson, Jordan Fairbourn. He leaves behind five very grateful children: Ann (Flake) Fairbourn, Elaine (Dale) Kemp, Cynthia (Morris) Decker, Jonathan (Renee) Bronson, and Barbara (Kip) Allred. He is also survived by his four beloved siblings: Jack (Doris) Bronson, Betty Hampton, Joyce Tracy, and David (Julie) Bronson, and by 27 adoring grandchildren and in a few days, 49 great-grandchildren. We, his family, believe that there has been a glorious reunion and that there is much more to come. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 11:00 am at the Sunridge LDS Ward at 1850 East 8600 South, Sandy, Utah. Viewings on Friday, November 15th, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 South), South Jordan, and Saturday from 9:00-10:30 am at the church. Interment Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.