Ronald Mather

Ronald Keith Mather passed away peacefully with family at his side, on February 11th.  He was proud to say he would soon be 90 years old.  He outlived seven heart attacks and sported a record 17 stents and was still mowing lawns and shoveling snow. He was a man you couldn’t keep down!  Ronald was born at home in Smithfield, Utah, on 23 July, 1932, the second child of George Mather and Alice Alta Myers Mather.  His dad was known as the potato king of Cache Valley and Ron learned to work hard at a young age.  He was milking 16 cows by age 12 and involved early in all aspects of potato farming and helping with his dad’s large seed potato business.

In high school he met Mary “Tina” Waite and in 1951 they were married in the Logan LDS Temple.  They welcomed two daughters Vickie and Teresa, into the family and then left Smithfield to work on the railroad in Ogden.  He soon turned to the plumber/pipefitter industry as a journeyman plumber but served his career in temperature control.  He was proud to point out the big buildings like the previous McKay-Dee Hospital that he had worked on.   His skills eventually led him to induction pipe bending where he ran controls to bend giant pipes for the Alaskan pipeline. In 1960, Ron and Tina built their dream home themselves, in South Ogden on a beautiful scrub oak filled lot.  A son, Christen, was then welcomed into the family and Ron and Tina soon excelled at scouting involvement of all kinds.  For many years they enjoyed a dance group and other social events with friends. Tina and Ron loved to travel and Ron has stepped foot on the Mount of Olives, the Salmon fishing boats of Alaska and many places in between. Boating was the favorite family activity and Ron was a tremendous slalom skier. He had been very active in local political service as a delegate for his area.  Ron was very active in his ward callings in many capacities.  In later years he served as a temple worker and true to form, his work was in the temple laundry where his handyman skills were very welcomed.  Having not filled a formal mission in his early years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, when he was called as a ward mission leader, he took it very seriously and reached out to all around him.  Ron’s middle name should have been “Service” as that’s what he lived to do.  He gave transportation to anyone in need, often on a daily basis for long periods of time.  He tiled floors, fixed plumbing, built decks, and did remodeling for family and friends.  Even after his last heart attack he was still out mowing several neighbor’s lawns.  Ronald spent many years as best buddies with his son-in-law’s father, Thurber Prows.  He spent time going to all the grandkid events and loved being with people.  Ron lived in Layton for the last 30 years and taught his ward that giving hugs and loving everyone was the best medicine.  He never failed to make sure his grandkids knew of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the importance of following the prophet.

He is survived by his daughter Vickie (Bill) Prows, son Christen (Sandy) Mather, and son-in-law David Forsberg. His daughter Teresa Forsberg and wife Tina Waite Mather, preceded him in death. Ron was Grandpa to 10 grandchildren (plus spouses), and GreatGrandpa to 27. His sister Karen Keller survives him and a sister-in-law LaRae Mather.  Another brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Barbara Waite also survive him. He has a large number of loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, February 19, 2022.  A viewing will precede at 11:45 at the Smithfield 1st Ward at 175 South 100 West, Smithfield, Utah.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live at 1:00 PM on Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook Page using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327

Services will also be streamed under this obituary beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday.

Interment will be at the Smithfield Cemetery, 300 E. Center St., Smithfield, Utah 84335.