Ray Amos Bronson

Ray Amos Bronson passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at the age of 90. He was born August 19, 1934, in Springville, Utah, the sixth child of Carl Bronson and Mary Jane Watkins Bronson. He had a wonderful childhood and reminisced often about his happy youth and teenage years. He grew up in the heart of Salt Lake City and was baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. From his earliest memories, he recalled how he cherished the outdoors, spending much of his free time fishing and hunting with his family and friends. Ray played many sports and especially loved basketball, at which he excelled; he was proud to have played center on a team that took second place in the All-Church Tournament in 1952. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City. Ray treasured his rich pioneer heritage and ancestry, including his great-grandfather John Watkins who, with his family, was a member of the ill-fated Martin Handcart Company.

At 19, Ray served a mission for the Church in Northern California. At the culmination of his mission, he met Dorothy Price (also a returned missionary), who became the love of his life. Ray served in the U.S. Army Reserves, just missing being deployed to Vietnam. Ray and Dorothy were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 25, 1957, and soon settled in Bountiful, Utah, where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives. They always loved Davis County and regularly expressed how grateful they were to raise their family there, with all the blessings the United States affords.

Ray was a man of many talents and abilities. After some time at the University of Utah, he started as a draftsman for Utah Power & Light, then worked for Sperry Rand/Univac as a testing engineer, playing part in developing the Shrike anti-radar missile used in the Vietnam War and still today. During his 90 years, he worked as an electrical engineer, a real estate agent and broker, and a general contractor. He truly could design, build, and/or repair almost anything—and he did. He played pivotal roles in the renovation of the old Auerbach’s building in Salt Lake and in the construction of the North Canyon Stake Center in Bountiful. His hobbies included fishing, boating, hunting, and more fishing. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the South Davis County Sewer Improvement District.

Ray loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ as much as he loved “Dorty” (as he called her), and he loved the slogan of his mission president, “Open Your Mouth.” Everywhere he went, he sought for opportunities to give new friends a copy of the Book of Mormon. He served faithfully in many ward and stake callings, including as Bishop, Scout Master, and too many instructor positions to mention. Because of his leadership skills, he and Dorothy were asked to chair the Bountiful City Days of ‘47 Celebration. The two served as temple workers in the Bountiful temple for 21 years. Later in life, they also served a proselyting and leadership mission in Cabanatuan, Philippines, and then as temple workers in Nauvoo, Illinois. He spent the last several years of his life caring for Dorothy and enjoying their home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mary Bronson, three brothers and their wives, Rex C. Bronson (Helen Betts), Boyd H. Bronson (Marjorie Wallen), and Hugh E. Bronson (Gay Goodrich). A brother and sister, Grant and Betty, died in infancy. He leaves a large family and many friends who adore and respect him, including his sweetheart Dorothy (age 97), his son Glenn Bronson with wife Sherry McKechnie Bronson, and his daughter Colleen Cole with husband Shane Cole. Ray also leaves 9 precious grandchildren: Spencer Cole, Rachel Walker (Skylar Walker), Mary Jane Cole, Grant Cole, Morgan Bronson, Matthew Bronson (Emilie Clark), Tanner Bronson, Emma Driggs (Andrew Driggs), and Grace Bronson. Ray and Dorothy were also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Benson, Eliza, Emma, and McKay Walker.

No mention of Ray would be complete without noting that was a giant of a man both physically (standing at 6’6” in his prime), spiritually, and in every other measure that matters. His testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ endures in the lives of his posterity and those with whom he shared the Gospel. Most assuredly, he did not progress to the next life to rest, which was never his nature, but to continue to do there what he did so well here: to love the Lord through serving his family and neighbors. He will be sorely missed by his loved ones here on earth, just as he will be anxiously welcomed by his family in heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 3350 South 100 East, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held Saturday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment- Midway City Cemetery.