Ronald Burgus Garrison

Ronald Burgus Garrison, 83, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on May 31, 2025, from a hemorrhagic stroke.

Ron was born on March 30, 1942, in Berkeley, California, to Burgus C. (Gary) Garrison and Alice Elizabeth Reed. At the age of two, the family moved from Berkeley to San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School, where, during his senior year, he met the love of his life—a sophomore named Barbara Joyce Reynolds. They were married for 62 wonderful years.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Human Resources from California Western University and later received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Marylhurst College in Portland, Oregon.

Ron began working at the young age of 12, delivering newspapers—a job he continued for several years and found great satisfaction in. He later joined Safeway Stores, where he quickly rose from a box boy to becoming one of the company’s youngest store managers.

He went on to have a distinguished career as Director of Human Resources, serving in various organizations including, National Cash Register (NCR) in Rancho Bernardo, California; Wurlitzer Company in Logan, Utah; Utah State University; Tektronix in Wilsonville, Oregon; and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he eventually retired. After retiring, he founded US Recruiting Company, which specialized in recruiting workers for oil fields across the United States.

A devoted and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ron served in many capacities throughout his life, including as Bishop, Stake Presidency counselor, and in various service and teaching roles. In 1994–95, he led the volunteer effort for the Bountiful Utah Temple open house.

Ron and Joyce later served an LDS Service Mission in New Jersey, where they oversaw food distribution operations throughout the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. For many years, they also served at the Kaysville LDS Home Storage Center, helping families prepare their food storage.

Ron’s love of welfare work continued into retirement. He cultivated tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables to share with the community. Each morning, he set out freshly picked produce for neighbors and passersby, cherishing the friendships and connections that grew from those simple interactions.

Ron always loved being near the water. Whether fishing or boating, he shared countless adventures with Joyce throughout their married life. He especially treasured fishing trips in San Diego harbor with his father-in-law, fishing for bottom fish while listening to country music. A passionate fisherman, he often invited friends and family to join him on his boat. One of his favorite trips was to Alaska, where he caught salmon and halibut—his personal record being a halibut weighing just over 100 pounds.

As he and Joyce grew older, their love of water turned into a love of travel. They enjoyed cruising together and explored many countries around the world.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Gary and Alice Garrison, and his beloved son, James Garrison. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Joyce (Reynolds) Garrison; his daughters Suzanne Tarbet of Kelso, Washington, and Debbie (Kelly) Dobson of Kaysville, Utah; and his daughter-in-law Suzette Garrison of Bountiful, Utah.

He is also survived by 11 grandchildren—Melissa (Kristy), Brian, Estefani (Vinny), John Kristoffer, Aaron (Marin), Hayden (Hannah), David, Greta, Pierce, Shawn, and Katelyn—who loved and adored him.

A viewing will be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Kaysville Sunset Ward LDS Church, located at 925 Deseret Drive, Kaysville, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow the funeral at the Kaysville City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live by the Kaysville Sunset Ward using the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/8291827795?pwd=WlAveFIwVkxsOW5ldTJpVWZIYUoyUT09