Longtime resident and businessman, Alma Gray Magleby, 83, passed away on Feb. 3, 2022, in Richfield, Utah.
Alma was born on Aug. 27, 1938, to Neal S. and Crystal Gray Magleby in Richfield, Utah. He married his high school sweetheart, Gwendolyn Jensen, on Sept. 11, 1958, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were both members of the Richfield High School class of 1956. Gwen preceded him in death on Jan. 6, 2019.
Alma graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science in 1959, and then returned to Richfield to join his father and brother in running the business. Thirty-five years later, Alma’s son, Kelly, joined the firm, making three Magleby generations in funeral service.
During his career he served as president of the Utah Funeral Directors Association. Alma worked as a funeral director and compassionately served Richfield and Southern Utah for over 60 years.
Alma led a life of service to his community. He was a past president of Richfield JayCees, Richfield Diners Club, Richfield Lions Club, and Richfield Independence Day Incorporated (IDI) Committee.
He served as vice president of the Utah State JayCees. Alma was a recipient of the JayCees Key Man Award and the Richfield Distinguished Service Award. He was a member of the Elks Club in charge of the annual Elks Memorial Day for many years and chaired the Elks Student Scholarship Program.
He performed duties as manager of the Southern Utah Jr. Livestock Show and also worked as the show’s secretary for two decades. He served for over 30 years on Richfield’s IDI Committee and held the office of treasurer in addition to president. He was recognized as Richfield’s “Mr. 4th of July,” and the City of Richfield has also honored Alma with the Mac Neal Magleby Service Award. He was a member of the Richfield Fire Department and received his 50-year service pin from the Utah State Firemen’s Association in 2021.
Alma was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions throughout his life. He loved his family and was a devoted husband and father.
Alma found joy in watching and supporting his children’s achievements. He was known for his unending supply of “lucky” $2 bills he gave his grandchildren and for promoting the merits of conservative politics to anyone who would listen. Alma earned the loving title of “Great Grandpa Tickle” because of his attention to the little ones to the point of their happy squeals.
He is survived by two daughters and one son: Shelly (John) Hawley of Bakersfield, Calif., Kim (Drew) Memmott of Chicago, Illinois, and Kelly (Judy) Magleby of Richfield, Utah; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and sister and sisters-in-law: Mary Nebeker, Barbara Wayman and Pam Jensen.
Preceded in death by parents; siblings: Mac Neal Magleby and Julia (Bob) Mohr; and brothers- and sister-in-law: George Peterson, Von Wayman, Scott Jensen, Charles Jensen, and Phil (Carol) Hyatt.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. in the Richfield East Stake Center, 800 North 500 East. Friends may call Sunday evening at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield from 6-7 p.m. or Monday morning at the stake center from 9 – 10:30 a.m. Live streaming of the services and online guestbook can be found at http://www.maglebymortuary.com under Alma’s obituary. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.
