Mack Gilbert

On Wednesday, 24 June, Mack Gardiner Gilbert, our beloved husband, dad, pops and grandpa passed away peacefully at his home in Ephraim, Utah at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer.

Mack was born on 15 November, 1943 in Ogden, Utah to Melvin and Valentine (Gardiner) Gilbert. On 21 August, 1987 Mack married his sweetheart Barbara Furner Gilbert, and were sealed in the Jordan River Temple on 21 January, 1993.

Mack grew up in Ogden with his brothers, Tom (Ruthann) Gilbert, Van (Toni) Gilbert, and Rex (Kathleen) Gilbert. He graduated from Bonneville High School, then served a mission in Florida. He attended Weber State University after he enlisted in the Air Force and served his country in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He later received his business management degree at the University of Phoenix.

He was working for Carter Radio supply in Ogden when they opened a store in Roosevelt. Mack bought the store and changed the name to Mack Communications. He loved radios and the telecommunications industry. He erected numerous communications towers and had one in his back yard for most of his life. He liked to sit in his radio room and call people around the world on his Ham Radio. His call sign was K7HEN.

Later, he started M.G. Telecomm, Inc. and brought his sons and son in law into the business of maintaining and installing communication towers throughout Utah and surrounding states. He was very involved in work and had a strong faith and commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He held several positions in the church in Magna and Riverton and loved being part of his community. He especially enjoyed being a greeter at the Ephraim Walmart where he would high five the kids and adults, and loved dressing up for holidays.

Mack was passionate and learned his strong work ethic from his childhood family farm. He loved to travel. Some of his favorite places were South Africa, Hawaii, and visiting his son and family in Czech Republic. He loved spending time with family. He had a sweet tooth. He could fall asleep wherever and had a favorite chair at each child's home. He was a generous patriarch and would do anything for his family, community, and would help anybody in need including strangers he just met.

Mack is survived by his wife, Barbara Gilbert, their children, Tadd (Elyse) Ipsen, Barry Mack (Katerina) Gilbert, Kimberley (Todd) Hightower, Wendy (Eric) Karkoska, Cyndi (John) Coyle, and Allyson (Chris) Corros and their grandchildren, Deric Ipsen, Brian Serrano, Halston (Megan) Hightower, Quinn (Travis) Stauber, Miranda Ipsen, Hayley Hightower, Melissa Ipsen, Lexi Coyle, Mikayla Ipsen, Corryson Corros, Heather Hightower, and Viktorie Gilbert, and great grandchild Evelyn Hightower.

Mack’s two children, Barry Mack Gilbert and Wendy Karkoska came from his previous marriage of 21 years to Marilyn Childs Owen.

We appreciate all the doctors and nurses that gave him special care throughout his health journey. Also the family would like to thank the IHC Hospice Team for their dedicated care on Mack's behalf; Tammy, Eve, Hollie, Chris, Charlie, Denise, and Mahana.

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2020 from 6 to 8 pm at Pioneer Park, 100 North 75 West, Ephraim, UT 84627.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 from 6 to 8 pm at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 South 2200 West, Riverton, UT 84065.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 11 am at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 South 1700 W (Camp Williams Road) Bluffdale, UT 84065.

Due to COVID-19 and the ordinance put in place by Salt Lake County, masks will be required to be worn during services