Ronald Dalley

Ronald Dalley
Gunnison, Utah

    Ronald Jay Dalley passed away April 24, 2024. His last days were spent surrounded by loved ones and included late night visits sharing stories and lots of laughs–one of his favorite pastimes.  
    Ron was born in Salina, Utah on May 16, 1950 to William Jay and Della Rassmusen Dalley. Ron spent the majority of his childhood helping his father on the family ranch in Flat Canyon. He spent countless hours driving tractors, irrigating the fields, caring for animals, building fences and getting into whatever trouble he could find when his dad wasn’t looking. 
    Ron graduated from Juab High School. He was involved in athletics including baseball, basketball and football, where his coach affectionately referred to him as ‘Beef’. He was also very involved in FFA where he won many awards and served as State FFA president of Utah. In this role, he had many opportunities to learn leadership skills by attending events in locations such as Washington DC and even Europe. 
    Ron graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education from Utah State University and later earned a master’s degree in Mathematics from BYU.  
    Ron married Sue Jorgensen in the Manti LDS Temple on Sept 3, 1971. Together they had six children: Amie, AngaLee, Michelle, Brian, Jaylene,and Benjamin.  
    After graduating from USU, Ron and Sue moved to Lake Town and taught at North Rich High School. There were a total of 8 faculty and staff members at the school at the time, which meant they had ¼ of the vote in any decision making! Ron was the 8th Grade class advisor and loved taking the 5 students for class field trips in his Jeep Wagoneer.  
    They then moved to Salina where Ron taught at North Sevier High School, coached multiple sports, was an FFA advisor as well as serving as the assistant principal for a time.  
    In 1986 they moved to Gunnison and Ron opened a car and boat dealership. He always loved cars and enjoyed making that his livelihood for a time. Eventually he returned to teaching math at Gunnison Valley High School where he also coached many sports, including the first football team at GVHS. He also spent many years as an Upward Bound advisor helping students reach their goal of obtaining a higher education. After many years at GVHS, he began teaching at Snow College, where he completed his teaching career.  
    Ron was a gifted teacher and coach. One of his greatest skills was to help students and athletes see their full potential and have the confidence to achieve it. He not only taught the subject matter or sport on hand, but also loved to help kids think logically. Some of his favorite exercises to encourage this were sending students to the office to find the paper stretcher or the blue and white striped paint. He’s also been known to ask kids to check their blinker fluid when they complain of car troubles.
    Ron had a knack for working with his hands and rarely hired anyone to do his work for him. He was a mechanic, welder, carpenter, electrician, and plumber and could solve just about any problem he encountered. He could accomplish anything he set his mind to. He taught his children the value of hard work and expected them to work right alongside him for many family projects.  
    Ron had a love of the outdoors including farming, hunting, fishing, camping, boating and jeeping. He lived by the motto “The family that plays together, stays together” and made it a priority to spend time sharing his favorite things with his kids.  He always managed to bring fun into life with a joke, a story or a good water fight.      
    Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Della; and his son, Brian. He is survived by his wife, Sue; their children: Amie and Bill Tucker, AngaLee Bartholomew, Michelle and Michael Smith, Kallie Dalley, Jaylene and Mayne Mortensen, Benjamin and Amy Dalley; their 23 grandchildren; and many others who have found a place in his heart as family.  
    Funeral service will be held at Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the  Gunnison Stake Center, 80 West Center, Gunnison. Viewings will be at the stake center on Monday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday morning from 10:00-11:30 a.m.  Burial will be in the Gunnison Cemetery with military honors by the Centerfield American Legion Post #105 and the Utah Honor Guard.  Funeral Directors, Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.  Online guestbook: www.maglebymortuary.com
    In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ron's name to either the Kidney Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

NOTE: the evening viewing is Monday evening --- we had that listed incorrectly in the text of the obituary