Gail Ralph Champion died Saturday, March 28, 2015 at age eighty-four, following a courageous battle with cancer and other ailments related to age.
Gail was born December 9, 1930 in Alhambra, California to Frank and Erma Champion.
He lived for many years in Southern California, moving to West Valley City in 1977.
In 1953, he married his sweetheart of sixty-three years, Georgiana Peterson Champion, and raised four daughters; Jeanette Rolph of Pennsylvania, Gayle Gertsch of North Carolina, Susan Champion of Utah, and Sylvia Schow of Colorado. He had a deep tenderness for his special needs daughter, "Susie," whom he lovingly raised for fifty-eight years.
Gail was an entrepreneur and succeeded at most anything he set his mind to do.
Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he worked for the Los Angeles police department after which he spent many successful years in sales.
He eventually retired as the proprietor of Ken's Sandwich Shop in Magna, where customers were known to drive many miles just to enjoy one of his delicious sandwiches.
Gail never knew a stranger he wasn't able to strike up a conversation and make them a friend.
He had a passion for flying and playing musical instruments and brought joy to family and friends as he shared his love for music.
Gail will be missed, but as he recently told one of his granddaughters, "Remember, we're an eternal family. We'll all be together again."
Gail is survived by his wife, Georgiana; sister, Janice Barney Moore; daughters, Jeanette (Dan), Gayle (Garrison), Susie, and Sylvia (David); fourteen grandchildren; and thirty-four great-grandchildren. There are numerous nieces and nephews, many who have expressed that Gail was their favorite uncle because he had a way to always make them laugh.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caring nurses and staff at the West Valley and Jordan Valley hospitals and the Copper Ridge Facility for their compassionate service in Gail's final weeks. We are also grateful to Hospice of Salt Lake for their comfort and support.
The family will be receiving guests on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hunter Fifth Ward Building, 5065 West Janette Avenue (3890 South), West Valley City, and again Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the same location on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City.
Published in the Deseret News on March 31, 2015.
Gail was born December 9, 1930 in Alhambra, California to Frank and Erma Champion.
He lived for many years in Southern California, moving to West Valley City in 1977.
In 1953, he married his sweetheart of sixty-three years, Georgiana Peterson Champion, and raised four daughters; Jeanette Rolph of Pennsylvania, Gayle Gertsch of North Carolina, Susan Champion of Utah, and Sylvia Schow of Colorado. He had a deep tenderness for his special needs daughter, "Susie," whom he lovingly raised for fifty-eight years.
Gail was an entrepreneur and succeeded at most anything he set his mind to do.
Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he worked for the Los Angeles police department after which he spent many successful years in sales.
He eventually retired as the proprietor of Ken's Sandwich Shop in Magna, where customers were known to drive many miles just to enjoy one of his delicious sandwiches.
Gail never knew a stranger he wasn't able to strike up a conversation and make them a friend.
He had a passion for flying and playing musical instruments and brought joy to family and friends as he shared his love for music.
Gail will be missed, but as he recently told one of his granddaughters, "Remember, we're an eternal family. We'll all be together again."
Gail is survived by his wife, Georgiana; sister, Janice Barney Moore; daughters, Jeanette (Dan), Gayle (Garrison), Susie, and Sylvia (David); fourteen grandchildren; and thirty-four great-grandchildren. There are numerous nieces and nephews, many who have expressed that Gail was their favorite uncle because he had a way to always make them laugh.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caring nurses and staff at the West Valley and Jordan Valley hospitals and the Copper Ridge Facility for their compassionate service in Gail's final weeks. We are also grateful to Hospice of Salt Lake for their comfort and support.
The family will be receiving guests on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hunter Fifth Ward Building, 5065 West Janette Avenue (3890 South), West Valley City, and again Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the same location on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City.
Published in the Deseret News on March 31, 2015.
Gail Ralph Champion died Saturday, March 28, 2015 at age eighty-four, following a courageous battle with cancer and other ailments related to age.
Gail was born December 9, 1930 in Alhambra, California to Frank and Erma Champion.
He lived for many years in Southern California, moving to West Valley City in 1977.
In 1953, he married his sweetheart of sixty-three years, Georgiana Peterson Champion, and raised four daughters; Jeanette Rolph of Pennsylvania, Gayle Gertsch of North Carolina, Susan Champion of Utah, and Sylvia Schow of Colorado. He had a deep tenderness for his special needs daughter, "Susie," whom he lovingly raised for fifty-eight years.
Gail was an entrepreneur and succeeded at most anything he set his mind to do.
Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he worked for the Los Angeles police department after which he spent many successful years in sales.
He eventually retired as the proprietor of Ken's Sandwich Shop in Magna, where customers were known to drive many miles just to enjoy one of his delicious sandwiches.
Gail never knew a stranger he wasn't able to strike up a conversation and make them a friend.
He had a passion for flying and playing musical instruments and brought joy to family and friends as he shared his love for music.
Gail will be missed, but as he recently told one of his granddaughters, "Remember, we're an eternal family. We'll all be together again."
Gail is survived by his wife, Georgiana; sister, Janice Barney Moore; daughters, Jeanette (Dan), Gayle (Garrison), Susie, and Sylvia (David); fourteen grandchildren; and thirty-four great-grandchildren. There are numerous nieces and nephews, many who have expressed that Gail was their favorite uncle because he had a way to always make them laugh.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caring nurses and staff at the West Valley and Jordan Valley hospitals and the Copper Ridge Facility for their compassionate service in Gail's final weeks. We are also grateful to Hospice of Salt Lake for their comfort and support.
The family will be receiving guests on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hunter Fifth Ward Building, 5065 West Janette Avenue (3890 South), West Valley City, and again Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the same location on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City.
Published in the Deseret News on March 31, 2015.
Gail was born December 9, 1930 in Alhambra, California to Frank and Erma Champion.
He lived for many years in Southern California, moving to West Valley City in 1977.
In 1953, he married his sweetheart of sixty-three years, Georgiana Peterson Champion, and raised four daughters; Jeanette Rolph of Pennsylvania, Gayle Gertsch of North Carolina, Susan Champion of Utah, and Sylvia Schow of Colorado. He had a deep tenderness for his special needs daughter, "Susie," whom he lovingly raised for fifty-eight years.
Gail was an entrepreneur and succeeded at most anything he set his mind to do.
Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he worked for the Los Angeles police department after which he spent many successful years in sales.
He eventually retired as the proprietor of Ken's Sandwich Shop in Magna, where customers were known to drive many miles just to enjoy one of his delicious sandwiches.
Gail never knew a stranger he wasn't able to strike up a conversation and make them a friend.
He had a passion for flying and playing musical instruments and brought joy to family and friends as he shared his love for music.
Gail will be missed, but as he recently told one of his granddaughters, "Remember, we're an eternal family. We'll all be together again."
Gail is survived by his wife, Georgiana; sister, Janice Barney Moore; daughters, Jeanette (Dan), Gayle (Garrison), Susie, and Sylvia (David); fourteen grandchildren; and thirty-four great-grandchildren. There are numerous nieces and nephews, many who have expressed that Gail was their favorite uncle because he had a way to always make them laugh.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caring nurses and staff at the West Valley and Jordan Valley hospitals and the Copper Ridge Facility for their compassionate service in Gail's final weeks. We are also grateful to Hospice of Salt Lake for their comfort and support.
The family will be receiving guests on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hunter Fifth Ward Building, 5065 West Janette Avenue (3890 South), West Valley City, and again Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the same location on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City.
Published in the Deseret News on March 31, 2015.
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