Gerald Hawley Bagley died peacefully of cancer, April 9, 1999, in Salt Lake City at the age of 77.

He was born January 18, 1922 in Montpelier, Idaho to Hawley and Adelila Hogensen Bagley. He was raised in Salt Lake City, East Millcreek area and graduated from Granite High School. He attended the University of Utah and graduated from the University of Southern California School of Optometry in 1949. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the South Pacific. After his return he married June Lundgren, April 1, 1946 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They raised four children in a loving and happy home. June died in 1997.Gerald was an Optometrist in Salt Lake City until 1975 and was actively involved in the Utah Optometric Association. He began a second career as the founder of Bagley and Company, which developed several real estate projects in the Salt Lake area. He owned and operated the Canyon Racquet Club for many years and developed Jeremy Ranch. In 1982, Jiggs started a PGA Golf Tournament, known as the Shootout at the Jeremy Ranch, which was held for several years. During 1984 and 1985 he was a 50% owner of the Utah Jazz. He spent his last few years working in the software industry. Jiggs was an avid golfer and sports fan and was instrumental in bringing world famous golfers and tennis players to Salt Lake. He coached many young men in basketball and softball, winning many church and county recreation league championships. He had a strong testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities working with the youth most of his life. Most recently he served as Ward Clerk in the Cottonwood 15th Singles Ward, a calling which he enjoyed very much. He loved being with the young adults and they loved him.

Gerald is survived by his four children; Martha Ann (W. Dee) Halverson, Thomas Gerald (Julie Rawlings) Bagley, Paula Jean (James Leo) DeSpain and Jolyn (Thomas C.) Mullin; 22 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as his foster daughter, Margie McCabe Ellsbury. Also survived by a brother, Melvin J. (Barbara) Bagley and two sisters, Jeanne (LeRon) Low and A. Marie Bagley. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a brother, Allan. The family would like to thank Janine and Doug Belnap for their loving care the last few weeks of Gerald's life. They have become part of our family.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, April 13, 1999, at 12 noon, Cottonwood 13th Ward, 1830 o East 6400 South. Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the church. Interment at Wasatch Lawn. Jiggs will be greatly missed as he was a positive influence on all who knew him. His motto was, "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.."(D&C 90:24) 

Obituary: Gerald Hawley (Jiggs) Bagley

By Deseret News Apr 10, 1999, 12:00am MST