Raymond Lee Hixson

1926 - 2018

Raymond L. Hixson
1926 ~ 2018
Raymond Lee Hixson passed away peacefully from a heart attack at 91 years old on April 16th, 2018 in Salt Lake City, UT. Ray was born to Edgar Lee Hixson and Janice Shelley Hixson on August 15, 1926 in Santa Monica, CA. He married the love of his life, Vivian Louise Morgan, three times. They eloped August 18, 1948, and then married again with family present December 4, 1948 in Redondo Beach, CA. Later sealed in the St. George LDS Temple November 5, 1954. This August, they would be celebrating 70 years together. He attended Bryant Junior High and East High School. Dedicated to living a balanced life, Ray built a successful and dynamic career, served his community often, cultivated a loving family, and above all, devoted himself to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Ray was fortunate to discover his passion of airplanes at the age of 5, a passion that led him to serve in the US Army Air Corps in WWII as an Aviation Cadet, Aircraft Mechanic and Aerial Engineer on the B-24 Bomber and later to earn an Aeronautical Engineering degree from Northrop Aeronautical Institute (1948) and a B.S. Aero Engineering degree from West Coast University (1957). He rounded out his formal education with an MBA (1965) from the University of Utah. Ray enjoyed a dynamic career, working as an engineer at Northrop Aircraft (where he worked on several versions of the Snark Missiles), Marquardt Corporation (Ramjet engines), General Dynamics (F-111 Aardvark fighter/bomber), and Arnoux Corporation. Ray's work contributed to the development of the temperature probe on our first orbiting space vehicle, the temperature measuring systems on the nuclear submarine missile launch tubes, and the ground telemetry equipment on the Mercury and Gemini manned space flights. He worked his way up at Arnoux Corporation, where he eventually became President. From there, he served as the Vice President of University Relations at the University of Utah. Though working in education gave him a sense of improving society, he found great joy in moving back into the business world as President of Snowbird Corporation. He said he had the most remarkable employees while at Snowbird. They were open and honest beyond any people he had ever worked with, before or since. Ray ended his career by achieving a life-long goal of starting his own business, Bonneville Pacific Corporation and received Mountain West Venture Group's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1988.
"Give back to the community that sustains you something tangible" is advice that Ray left for his loved ones. Ray's service includes: President and Member of Pro Utah's Board of Directors, Director of the Utah Spaceport Committee, Chairman of the Utah Federal Research Committee, Member of the Utah Transit Authority's Board of Directors for 8 years, Member of the Utah Constitution Revision Commission for 10 years, Chairman of the Utah Fusion/Energy Advisory Council for 5 years, Member of the Western Regional Council's Board of Trustees, Chairman for the LDS Hospital Fund Raising Committee for Building Expansion, Chairman for the State of Utah Commission on Entrepreneurism, Chairman of the University of Utah Research Park Advisory Committee, Member of the Holy Cross Hospital Foundation's Board of Trustees, Member of the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club, Member of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, and Finance Chairman of Governor Norman Bangerter's 1988 campaign.
An active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ray is a High Priest, and served as Bishop of the Monument Park 1st Ward, High Councilman, Veil Worker at the Salt Lake Temple, and Stake Mission Presidency, First Counselor. He truly loved teaching the youth and served in numerous capacities throughout his life. He was always in the service of his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Ray's love of aviation continued throughout his life; he enjoyed owning several and flying a variety of aircrafts including: Taylorcraft, Rearwin Sportster, B-24, AT-6, all kinds of Pipers, Beech Bonanzas, Beech Duke, Cessna 340 and 414, Cessna Citation and even the Challenger Ultralight. When not in the air, Ray enjoyed skiing, tennis, running, writing, and was an avid reader.
Ray's influence as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher and friend was profound. Nothing was more important to him than his love for Vivian. They were inseparable and united throughout his life. He often said without her he could not have accomplished a tenth of what he has done. Together with Vivian, he cultivated a family of 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. His love and pride in their accomplishments filled him with joy.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Vivian Hixson, children, Robben (Jill) , Victoria (John Longaker), Morgan (Melinda), Shelley (Jeff Bowles), and close family friend, Peggy Fisher. His 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren (another due in November) will sorely miss Grand Ray's unconditional love, guidance, and uniquely delightful sense of humor. He is preceded in death by his parents Edgar Lee Hixson and Janice Shelley Hixson, sister Darlene Stevenson, brother-in-law Jack H. Stevenson, and son Timothy Lee Hixson.
The family would like to thank Thomas Calame, M.D., Cardiologist, cared for Ray through numerous heart issues and kept him going for many years. The Cascades at Riverwalk for their vigilant care, Valeo Home Health & Hospice for compassionately walking by our side while providing excellent care on every level. Keith Lane, M.D. for care and navigation through cancer. Steven R. Edgley, MD and Patrick P. Maitre, PA-C of the Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic at the University of Utah. Collin K. Shepherd, DPT, U of U Sugarhouse Rehab Clinic, and the wonderful Emily & Shauna along with the entire staff at the L.S. Skaggs Wellness Center for bringing out Ray's sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye as he worked out.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at 8100 South Top of The World Drive, SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.