Ralph Mower

1930-2014

Ralph Eugene Mower died at home February 25, 2014. He battled cancer for several years and taught us all how to endure all things with grace. All the way to the end he was happy with his circumstances and the gift of life.

Ralph was born February 4, 1930 to goodly parents in Fairview, Utah. He was the youngest of 10 children to Hyrum Deloss and Catherine Ann Mills Mower. He was a beloved son, brother, husband and father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He married Nathalie Sanders Mower in 1950.  They have 5 children, 23 grandchildren and 31 great- grandchildren with 4 more on the way from heaven.

Ralph moved from Fairview, Utah to San Bernardino, California when he was 6.  After working 40 years for the State of California (Caltrans) he and Nathalie spent several years touring the United States and visiting family in their 5th wheel RV.  Ralph installed permanent RV hook-up at many of his children’s homes so they could have their home on wheels as next door neighbors to grandchildren.  In 1991 they bought a home in Nibley, Utah.  In 1995 he and Nathalie moved to Layton, Utah. In 2004 he moved to Syracuse, Utah. In 2010 he moved in with his daughter and family.

He had many interesting experiences from his work on California highways and loved to tell the stories.

He was a great cement tile shingle maker and made thousands of shingles in his life-time including for several LDS chapels. He built three houses that he and his family lived it.  In 1962 he built a 48 foot-freestanding TV antenna painted white with turquoise poke-a-dots for his house in California that is still standing today. His family always said, “Ralph, it doesn’t have to stand through the millennium” about whatever he was building.

Ralph loved to solve brain teaser puzzles. He could fit more items into a small space than seemed possible. He could get any vehicle unstuck. He loved to go hiking and hiked most of the trails in Zion’s National Park, some of them many times. He even hiked part of Mt Fuji in Japan not long after recovering from a broken hip. Ralph built a glider swing that everyone loves to swing on and it is still in operation today.

Ralph loved music and had an extensive collection.  He played the organ for his own pleasure.  He built a grandfather clock and several jewelry boxes.  He loved model trains and built a huge track that he enjoyed.  He loved to watch the birds outside his window. He raised chickens, pigs and cows. He would “play” ball with Calamity Jane and Sir, the family dogs, for hours all the while professing he didn’t like pets. He raised bees even though he was highly allergic to bee stings. He loved Christmas and the decorations. He enjoyed driving around town to see the light displays.  Ralph was an accomplished bread maker and it was a real treat to be given a loaf of his bread.

Ralph loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a faithful servant in several Bishoprics and held a variety of other callings all with faith and dedication. He loved to go to the temple and for many years went weekly doing several sessions each day. He bore his testimony to his family often. He lived what he taught as well.  He was a man without guile.  He was so honest that when playing the dictionary game with friends he would frequently be the winner as no one believed that Ralph would not tell the truth.  Ralph was a very gentle giant and loved his family dearly and often said how grateful he was to have a family. He loved to hold his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with each one and did as often as he could.

Ralph is survived by his children, Glenn (Marianne) Mower, Nanette Brooks, David (DeAnn) Mower, Claudia (Steven) Neilsen and Paul (Lori) Mower. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents and all his siblings.

“Sit ooboo sit”.

Memorial services will be held Friday, March 7, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Inurnment, Fairview, Utah Cemetery.