Gareth Eugene “Gene” Ivey Obituary (1931

Gareth Eugene (Gene) Ivey age 83, passed away in Provo, Utah on 23rd of August, 2015 at 5:41 pm. Born to Walter Hanson Ivey and Maude Theresa Lord Ivey on September 11, 1931 in Soperton, Georgia. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School where he activity participated in the ROTC. He married Sally Boyd July 6, 1952 in Thomaston, Georgia. And they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on March 17 1962. They are the parents of 4 children, grandparents to 26 grandchildren and great-grand parents to 20 great-grand children. Gene served in the United States Air Force. He graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in physics and began working as an aerospace engineer for Lockheed Aircraft in Marietta, Georgia. He was transferred to NASA in Houston, Texas, to lead the team designing the landing gear for the first LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) for Apollo 11. He then went into petrochemical engineering with the Tenneco Oil Company in Pasadena, Texas. He worked as a petrochemical consultant in North Carolina, New Mexico, Idaho, California, Utah and then in Saudi Arabia for the ARAMCO company. He loved to travel with his family and friends and saw much of the world. He was really a genius at inventing amazing things from what was available at hand. He was a staff sergeant in the Air Force. Since he was a great airplane mechanic he could work marvels on a car or repair anything in a house. He told the most amazing stories and grandchildren loved to hear him talk about his life. Gene was musically talented and self taught how to play the guitar and he loved to sing. Gene was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities in the wards and stakes he lived in. He served in many callings including Bishop, Temple Worker, teacher, counselor and leader. He will be remembered for his compassion and self-less service to others, his honestly, loyalty and being the one you could count on to help you with anything. His greatest love was always being with his family and friends. He was always at neighbors fixing things. He was the best brother, friend, husband, father, grand & great-grand father anyone could have. He leaves a legacy of faith, love, strength, courage, and encouragement to all. He is survived by his wife, Sally Boyd Ivey, sister, Juanita Ivey, Lillburn, GA; brothers: William Bryan Ivey from Santa Maria, CA and Walter Raleigh Ivey from Greenville, SC; sister-in-law Nadean Owsley, Thomaston, GA; daughter Gayle (Scott) Anderson, Pleasant Grove, UT; sons: Phillip (Susan) Ivey,Salem, UT; Alan (Jeri) Ivey, Draper, UT; and Boyd (Laurie) Ivey, Orem, UT. Gene had 26 grandchildren, 20 great grandchild and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 11:00 am in the Riverside Ward Building, 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:30-10:45 prior to services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 72. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com. The family would like to thank Dr. Sean Curzon for his loving care. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following account gofundme.com/gy2cpzck