Ronald Ralph Wilkins

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Ronald Ralph Wilkins passed away on June 13, 2024, at his home after a difficult battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and people who loved him. He was 77 years old.

Ron was born January 7, 1947, to Ralph Moffitt and Virginia Call Wilkins in Ogden, Utah where he lived for the early years of his life. He grew up in a loving and hard-working family with his sister, Valeen. After a short time in California, the family moved back to Salt Lake City where he went to William Penn Elementary, Evergreen Junior High, and Olympus High School. He loved golf, skiing, both water and snow, and playing the drums. He was on the high school golf team and he played drums with a band called the “Bonnevilles“. He attended the University of Utah and was a part of the Army Reserves before being called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest British Mission. His two years in England were transformative as he came to love the work, the people he served, and the Savior Jesus Christ.

After returning home, he met, dated, and married the love of his life, Kathleen McDonough, June 19, 1970, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were complimentary in many ways, but they were a team when it came to a project. He and Kathy were blessed with four children, Kristen, Kimberly, Justin, and Jennifer. Their home was full of hard work, an abundance of fun, and an abiding love for God and each other.

Ron’s original pre-dental studies gave way to a successful construction career. He built homes throughout the Salt Lake valley, but his love was concrete. Nothing made him happier than fresh concrete being poured and finished. After years in the concrete business, he began a career with Okland Construction where he had the chance to be superintendent on a variety of incredible projects. He built many friendships in his professional career and has remained friends with many co-workers and sub contractors he spent so much time with.

Ron loved the Lord and served faithfully in many callings for the Church. He served as a scoutmaster many times, as an Elders Quorum President and counselor, as a Bishop and Bishop’s counselor, and as a senior missionary with Kathy in the Salt Lake City East and Salt Lake City Missions. No matter where he was serving, he had a unique ability to minister and mentor individuals. He always had a smile, a firm grip, direct and sometimes choice words, an invitation to work and serve, and a heart full of love for everyone he met. He and Kathy have made many friendships over the years with neighbors and friends they’ve worked with, served with, and lived around, and they have cherished those relationships. Ron loved God and his family. He was always finding ways to share his love by remodeling a house, taking a vacation, giving great bear hugs, sharing a compliment, and offering support.

He will be remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Kathy, his children, Kristen Okland (Brett). Kimberly Kaelin (Abraham), Justin Wilkins (Amber), and Jennifer Fletcher (Tylan), and their twenty-three grandchildren. Ron is now celebrating a joyous reunion with his parents, extended family, and many friends who have preceded him in death.

An evening viewing will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. and on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 9:00-10:45 A.M. prior to the funeral service at 11:00 A.M. All three will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel on 8100 South Top of the World Drive. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah.