Orville Wayne Day Jr.

Orville Wayne Day Jr., "President Day", or "Dr. Day", a devoted disciple of Christ, beloved family man, and esteemed educator, passed away peacefully at home from congestive heart failure on December 22, 2024 at the age of 83. The oldest of twelve siblings, he was born on July 12, 1941, in a loving and faithful home on a farm in Highland, Utah, to Orville Wayne Day Sr. and Ruby Buhler. He lived a life grounded in faith, learning, and service. He had a deep impact on many people in the several places he lived: Highland, UT; Provo, UT; Athens, GA; Iowa City, IA; Fortaleza, São José dos Campos, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Holiday, UT; Greenville, NC; and Mesa, AZ.
Orville served for four years in the Air Force National Guard. He earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Brigham Young University and pursued additional post doctorate work at the University of Georgia. As a university professor of physics and a dedicated researcher, he made significant contributions to his field, focusing on gravitational physics and black holes. He was not only an accomplished academic, but also an inspiring mentor who touched the lives of countless students throughout his career. He won Teacher of the Year at East Carolina University, and had an impressive 4.4 rating on RateMyProfessors.com. On the first day of class, it was common for him to bring Beverly and his accordion to play for his students as he taught them the importance of having a good marriage. His passion for teaching was based on his belief in the transformative power of education and the pursuit of truth. He was motivated to show that the study of science and a life rooted in faith are perfectly compatible.
Orville was deeply devoted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in the Brazil South Mission from 1960 to 1963. He held numerous leadership positions within the church, including branch president, bishop's counselor, district president, and stake president. In 1990, he was called along with Beverly to serve as a mission president in the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Mission, a role he embraced with humility and faith. He loved music, especially sacred music, and often shared his testimony through playing the organ and piano.
Orville married the love of his life, Beverly, and together they built a legacy of love, education, faith, and family. His 4 children,16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren were a constant source of pride and joy. He always emphasized the importance of the gospel, the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith, and some of his final words were how pleased he was with the unity in his family.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Jean Prescott Day; his children, Darren Orville Day (Ruthenia), Shauna Dawn Day-Gomes (Don), and David Prescott Day (April); and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is reunited with his beloved daughter, Deborah Anne Day, his parents, and other loved ones.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 29th, from 6–8 pm at Wing Mortuary at 118 E Main St, Lehi, UT; on Monday, December 30th, the viewing will be from 9–10:30 am, followed by the funeral at 11 am at the Lehi South Stake Center, 600 S 500 W, Lehi, UT. All times MST.
The funeral will be Zoomed at the following link:
Link: https://zoom.us/j/92560208813?pwd=cGZHc2JtTUtCVTNhYjZZdTV3RW1aUT09
Meeting ID: 925 6020 8813
Passcode: 113022