Gordon Ivor Irving

Gordon Ivor Irving, beloved friend and brother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in his residence at Legacy House of Bountiful following his admirable battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative disease.

Gordon was born on November 19, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ivor and Ruby Irving. At the age of four he moved with his family to Bountiful, Utah, a place he would call home for almost his entire life. Gordon was an excellent student and did well in nearly all subjects. In fact, Gordon was one of two high school students from the State of Utah in 1966 selected as a Presidential Scholar, an honor that included traveling to Washington DC and receiving the award directly from President Lyndon B. Johnson. 

Gordon served a full-time proselytizing mission in Chile from 1968 to 1970. After his return he enrolled at the University of Utah where he discovered his one weakness as a student. As Gordon told it, "I wanted to be a chemical engineer, but I could never figure out how electrons were supposed to move; that was when I decided to take history courses instead." This difficulty with electrons led to Gordon discovering a passion for history which, evolved into a career as an historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Church History Department.

At the Church History Department, Gordon was able to combine his love for the Lord and his desire to document history into a lifelong service. Even after retirement, Gordon continued working as a volunteer missionary. His specific assignment was to document the history of the Church legal Department, a massive undertaking that Gordon nearly finished despite his many health obstacles that made further work impossible.

Gordon was an avid reader and dedicated patron of the arts, with his vast library of books and music collection standing as proof. While Gordon admitted he was never very talented with music or the arts he was able to recognize talent and skill, which led to decades of attending and supporting all forms of local performing arts. What he lacked in talent he made up for with his incredibly sharp mind. His knowledge of classical music was expansive, and he shared this knowledge through special presentations to his neighbors and friends at Legacy House of Bountiful. His support of the arts will live on through his generous donations to the same local organizations and groups in which he participated.

While Gordon faced substantial physical difficulties towards the end of his life he continued to live as he always did, with measured determination, kindness, and consistency. These same traits helped Gordon touch the lives of so many and enabled him to endure so well to the very end.

Gordon is survived by his brother Thomas Irving (Judy); six nieces and one nephew, Jessica Marschall, Beverly Jacobs, Jean Lee, Amelia Johnson, Nicole Irving, Georgia Irving, and Oliver Irving; as well as countless friends and neighbors who became Gordon's family. Gordon also wanted to express particular gratitude to the great staff, friends, and caregivers at Legacy House of Bountiful, Hospice, and Visiting Angels who provided incredible support to Gordon.

Funeral services for Gordon will be held beginning with a viewing from 9:00 - 9:45AM on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Bountiful 36th Ward Chapel located at 102 East 1400 South, Bountiful, Utah 84010 followed by the funeral service at 10:00AM. Burial will occur in the Bountiful City Cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the local arts, PSP research, and/or your local public-school library.