Ronald Calvin Holgate

Ronald Holgate
South Jordan, Utah

Ronald C. Holgate was born December 6, 1934 to Agnes Hansen Holgate and William Alvin Holgate in Tempe, Arizona. His father soon died of TB without holding his twin sons, Ronnie and Donnie. Agnes took her twins and daughter, Barbara, to live with her parents in Gravelbed, Utah-a short distance from Elsinore, Utah. Nine uncles and aunts, a devoted mother, grandparents and great grandparents brought the house total to seventeen. Ronnie milked cows at age six and helped with the family garden and animals until he grew into a full- fledged farmer. 

In October 1950, while harvesting potatoes for wages, he met his sweetheart, Sharon Dee Johnson. They dated all through high school and graduated together from South Sevier High School in 1953. College, other relationships, and the army for Ronnie separated them for a time, but they reunited in 1957, and they married in 1958 in the Manti, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

They lived In Sandy, Utah and welcomed three children rather quickly--Kevin in 1959, Merrilee in 1960, and Marci in 1963. Ron worked as an accountant at Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City.

Ron and his family made a big move in 1963. They headed to California –San Francisco—and opened a diner. They bought a house in San Rafael, California and welcomed baby Michelle in 1964.

In 1965, Ron was prompted to change direction. He accepted an accountant job with M. Caratan Inc., a family farm which specialized in table grapes. He stayed there and worked until retiring in 1996.

Ron blossomed in Delano, serving the Lord faithfully. A list of his church callings follows:

-Acting Relief Society President: Fort Riley, Kansas

-Young Women’s President Fort: Riley, Kansas

-Army Branch 1954 to 1955

-District Missionary 1956-1955

-Finance Clerk-Sandy 9th Ward 1960-1963

-Deacon’s advisor-San Rafael Ward 1963

-1st Counselor Elder’s Quorum-San Rafael Ward 1963-1965

-Group Leader Elder’s Quorum-Delano 1965-1966

-2nd Counselor Branch Presidency-Delano 1966-1968

-1st Counselor Branch Presidency-Delano 1968

-Branch President-Delano 1968-1976

-High Council-Bakersfield Stake 1976-1981

-Bishop- Delano Ward 1981-1986

-High Council-Bakersfield Stake 1986-1993

-1st Counselor-Delano Ward 1995-1997

-Mission South Africa Durban 1997-1998

-Branch President Madadeni 1998

-Ordinance Worker-1 day a week LA temple 1998-2003

-Veil Worker-LA temple 1989-2006

-CES Mission Sydney Australia South 2004-2005

-Family History Center-Bakersfield Stake 2005-2008

Ron and Sharon were an incredible team. He helped his wife and daughters with the church youth camp called Big Meadow—a sacred place for them. When their son, Kevin, became terminally ill, they helped to care for him in Bakersfield, leaving their beloved Delano. After Kevin passed away in 2002, they focused on their grandchildren galore. For a time, all the family lived in Bakersfield because of Kevin. Then tragedy struck again, and Sharon developed pancreatic cancer. Ron lovingly cared for his wife until she passed in 2015. A few years later, Ron developed Alzheimer’s and needed the care of Marci, Merrilee, and Michelle until he moved to South Jordan, Utah recently and went on Hospice care. We so much appreciate Inspiration Hospice and their caring attention to our dad. Ron passed away October 8, 2024 at 3:50 AM surrounded by loved ones. All of his family were able to say goodbye by Facetime or in person. We all shared the last 4 days of his life. He left an extended family of 97: 4 children and their spouses, 2 angel babies, 23 grandchildren and their spouses, 48 great-grandchildren and a future first great-great grandchild. We all agree he was so very dear and loving, a great servant of the Lord, wise, funny, and always there for us. We will miss him more than we can say.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 10:00 am in the Monroe North Chapel — viewing prior to services from 9:00 to 9:45 am at the church — Burial in the Monroe City Cemetery — Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti

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