Joseph Gordon Sansom

Our dear Dad, beloved Grandpa, and friend, Joseph Gordon Sansom passed away on January 12, 2015 surrounded by his family.  Born March 5, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Charles Clyde and Lovenia Elizabeth Hill Sansom. Joe attended East High School, after graduating he attended the University of Utah.  In 1947, Joe was called to serve in the Spanish American mission for the LDS church; he retained his Spanish language skills for the rest of his life, frequently singing and praying in Spanish.

After returning home he met and married Ruth Ann Raymond in the Salt Lake Temple in 1951, they later divorced but remained lifelong friends and companions to one another. They began their married life in Kansas City, MO where Joe served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Throughout his professional career he worked in the baking industry traveling throughout the United States. He found great fulfillment during his 21 years working for Wetterau Industries in St. Louis, MO. Joe treasured the St. Louis friends that became like family to him.

After retiring and returning to Salt Lake City he spent his time serving in the LDS church as a Family History Missionary, in the temple and caring for his friends and family tirelessly. Dad loved to ski, golf and sing in barbershop quartets or ward choirs. He greeted everyone with a big hug and his trademark smile and chuckle, this continued until the very end of his life. He may have forgotten how he knew you, but he knew he loved every person. We will miss his warm greetings, his positive attitude and the joy he shared with family and friends. We would like to thank the professionals and special friends at the Wentworth Willow Creek for their care.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don Sansom. He is survived by Ruth Ann Sansom; brother, Bob Sansom; children, Scott Sansom, Michael (Sue) Sansom, Jill (Scott) Wilmarth, Korri (Sam) Ball; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 11 am at the Salt Lake Wasatch Stake Center located at 8170 Short Hills Drive (3425 East). Friends may visit with the family on Monday evening from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, or at the church from 9:30 am-10:30 am prior to the services. Interment: Elysian Burial Gardens. Memories and tributes can be sent to the family at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com