Alan Kay Tibbitts

Heavenly mercies allowed our beloved father and husband Alan Kay Tibbitts to pass away peacefully in his favorite place to be, his home, on December 19, 2024 after struggling with heart failure.

Alan Kay Tibbitts was born October 15, 1945 in Salt Lake City Utah, to Orrin Gessel Tibbitts and Ethel Marie Call. He was the youngest of 5 children, following Jean, Robert, Dean, and Gary. Alan loved being the youngest child, allowing him to have a special relationship with his parents and tagging along with his older siblings. Throughout Alan’s life he would love to organize family gatherings and activities, and check in on each of his siblings and his many nieces and nephews. Everyone could count on their brother and Uncle Alan.

It was 1953 when the Tibbitts family became acquainted with the Hixsons and where Alan’s and Joan’s paths would first cross. Alan’s oldest sister Jean and her husband Dave bought a home on Wicker Lane in Bountiful, Utah and Alan made many trips to see his sister knowing that Joan Hixson lived at the bottom of the street and hoped he could see the cute Joan Hixson outside as he casually drove by. Keeping a respectful distance until Joan graduated high school, Alan finally mustered up the courage to invite Joan on their first date January 4th, 1969. Married in the Salt Lake City Temple that same year, Alan and Joan would begin their own eternal family and search for a place to put down roots in Bountiful, where they wanted to be close to their parents. An inspired purchase of the property where their lovely home stands is where they would stay. Together they tenderly have made it into a spiritual haven of love and comfort where they raised their 4 children: Adam, Aaron, Amy, and April (The A team!).

Alan adores his children. His hobbies were always chosen with family in mind. One of these hobbies included a secret purchase of a ski boat. He used several of the ward members' garages to store the boat until he could courageously reveal the news to Joanie. He had a vision of how he would spend cherished moments at the lake after work and on the weekends teaching his kids to waterski and fish. The times on the boat would in fact create years of bonding experiences and adventures for the family and still do to this day. Alan also loved deer hunts and fishing trips with his brothers and kids. He also loved taking his family to BYU football games at Lavell Edwards Stadium, participating in stake fastpitch softball at Mosquito Flats, tending to his immaculate yard, restoring his 1952 Army Jeep, supporting his grandkids in sports and musical events, studying the scriptures and most of all his passion for serving people around him. One of Alan’s greatest spiritual gifts is his ability to love and serve people.

Alan graduated from Bountiful High in 1963, attended Weber State College and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1970 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Sociology. Later, Alan would have the opportunity to earn his Master’s Degree in Banking from the Pacific Coast Banking School, at the University of Washington in 1999. Alan started his banking career with Zions bank in 1970 and then was hired by Walker Bank shortly thereafter. In 1979 he was offered a position at Brighton Bank as a vice president and manager of the branch at 3300 South and West Temple. Alan loved his Brighton Bank family and customers and retired after 36 enjoyable and fulfilling years. 

Alan is a patriot. He loved to teach about the sacred beginnings of our country. Alan joined the Army National Guard in 1970 and was honorably discharged in 1980. Each Veterans Day and Memorial Day Alan was invited to display his Army Jeep at the Bountiful Memorial Park in honor of the brave men and women who valiantly served our country.Alan served a full time mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Honolulu Hawaii from 1965 -1967. This began a lifelong love of the Hawaiian people and culture. His church service also included positions as Elders Quorum President, Bishopric Counselor, Stake High Counselor, and Bishop of the Val Verda 4th Ward. One of his favorite callings was Home Teacher and Ministering Brother where he developed deep and meaningful friendships with several ward members that he maintained throughout his life. 

Alan served for many years as a member of the Lions Club and eventually became the President of the Salt Lake City Chapter. He also served as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon for ten years and served an emeritus role for many years thereafter. 

Alan will be deeply missed by his adoring sweetheart Joan Hixson, and children Adam (Jamee) Tibbitts, Aaron (Wendy) Tibbitts, Amy (Chesley) Erickson, and April (Andrew) Crow. He will also be missed by his 14 grandchildren, his oldest brother Robert (Bonnie) Tibbitts, sisters-in-law Barbara Tibbitts, Susan Tibbitts, and Judy Kuepper and brothers-in-law David Matthews, Richard (Luan) Hixson, and Robert Lee (Shara) Hixson and his nieces and nephews that he loved so much.

Alan is reunited with his angel mother Ethel Marie Call and father Orrin Gessel Tibbitts, sister Jean Matthews, brothers Dean and Gary Tibbitts, brother-in-law Michael Kuepper, and Joan’s sweet parents, Sterling and Ellen Hixson.

A favorite verse that became a lifelong theme for Alan’s life is 1 Corinthians 2:9 which reads: “...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Val Verda 4th Ward, 2633 South 50 West, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, and Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment- Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.