Gordon Arthur Champneys

Gordon Arthur Champneys, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son-in-law and friend passed away July 8, 2026. The oldest of two children, he was born on September 23, 1949 to Irle and Norma Sparks Champneys. 

Dad graduated from Bonneville High School in 1967. He went on to Weber State College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While competing with the Weber State Rodeo Team, he met the love of his life, Peggy Rydalch. That was the beginning of a beautiful life together that included countless rodeos, pack trips, skiing, music, dancing, and missionary work. They served in the Illinois Nauvoo, Tennessee Nashville, and the Utah Ogden (West Point Lakeside Stake) missions. Mom and Dad made it a priority to dance through life together.

 Dad’s biggest joy in this world was family. He and Mom have been married for almost 53 years and together they raised three children; Riley (Cassie) Champneys, Coby (Nicole) Champneys, Lacey (Luke) Thomas. He has 11 loving grandchildren. West Point has been their home for 50 years.

Hard work was always a part of Dad’s life. His early jobs included milking cows, being a wrangler at Granite Ranch, and working for an outfitter in Wyoming. He worked for 30 years at the Central Weber Wastewater Plant and later at the industrial water treatment plant at Hill Air Force Base. Through his work he made many great friends and associations that have enriched his life. 

The cowboy spirit, pristine mountain lakes, and wildflowers of Wyoming hold a special place in Dad’s heart. He was a cowboy through and through. Mom and Dad bought property in Bondurant that has been a gathering place for family and friends for many years and where an abundance of memories were made. The cabin has been a home base for hunting and pack trips. It is a second home and a treasure for our family.

Music has always been part of Dad’s life. He started playing the clarinet in high school and has also enjoyed playing the guitar, banjo, and harmonica. He loved entertaining and performing cowboy poetry. He could spend all day listening to a good band.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and dutifully served within the church throughout his life. He magnified his various callings and enjoyed the connections he made with the people that he served. One highlight of Dad’s church service was serving as a teamster, driving visitors through historic Nauvoo on horse-drawn wagons. Alongside Mom, they performed with groups in historic portrayals of the early Saints. They loved serving with existing friends and making many new friends along the way.

He is survived by his wife and children, brother Fred (Cindy) Champneys, sister-in-law Judy Warr, brother-in-law Jeff Rydalch, and mother-in-law Edna Rydalch. Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Irle and Norma Champneys, stepfather Winslow Rhoades, father-in-law Judd Rydalch, and his brother-in-law Charley Warr. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2026 at the West Point 5th Ward Chapel (3488 West 300 North, West Point, UT). The family will meet with friends on Thursday, July 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Russon Mortuary (1585 W 300 S, Syracuse, UT). A viewing will also be held Friday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to funeral services.