Gerald Robert Witt

Gerald Robert Witt, beloved husband, father, grandfather, accomplished advertising designer, and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully at home on October 6, 2026 at the age of 89.

Born on March 5, 1937, in Price, Utah, to Marvin M. and Leona (Tame) Witt, Gerald was raised with a strong foundation of faith and hard work. He attended school in Eureka through the fourth grade until his family moved to Nephi in 1947. He graduated from Juab High School in 1955, where he was active as a musician playing the trombone and drums, student actor, and artist. He spent many summers working at Bryce Canyon at the lodge as a bellhop and drummer in the band. In 2023 he attended the Bryce Canyon Centennial Celebration and had the privilege, once again, of playing the drums with the band. He attended BYU and enjoyed performing with the Marching Band and working for them as a graphic designer. He transferred to the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1966.

A devoted servant of his Heavenly Father, Gerald's life was defined by his active faith and church service. He was baptized on March 31, 1945, by his father in the Eureka Ward house. As a young man, he answered a call to serve as a full-time missionary in the Southwest Indian Mission. He loved serving the Navajo people and learning the language so well, utilizing his gifted ear for music, and often being referred to as the “white man with no accent.” He loved his companions, particularly Rex Lane, a Navajo who helped him understand the culture and learn the language fluently during the 18 months they served together. Gerald helped Rex become a successful missionary being the first Navajo to serve among his own people. Upon returning from his mission, he transferred from the National Guard to the Army Reserve, 96 Infantry Band. Throughout Gerald’s life, he served faithfully in many callings, including Bishopric, Elders Quorum presidency, Seventy, and the youth organization, particularly enjoying his time as a Scoutmaster and Pack Leader, touching the lives of countless youth.

On August 26, 1960, Gerald married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Bessie Mangelson, for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple, with President Spencer W. Kimball officiating. Together, they built a wonderful family and shared a lifetime of devotion, supporting one another through their adventures in Utah and California and then finally settling to raise their six children in Salt Lake City. Upon retirement Gerald and Bessie sold their home of 50 years and moved to the family farmhouse in Levan, where Bessie was raised. Gerald beautifully restored and enlarged the home to welcome and better accommodate their growing family and many friends.

Professionally, Gerald was a visionary creative designer, advertising art director, and inventor. He founded Gerald Witt Design Associates, co-founded the Utah Society of Communicating Arts, and held patents for innovative design tools such as the “GlideIiner,” “Eliptoglide” and “Omni-Glide”. Alongside his professional success, he was an accomplished musician who played in various bands and cherished playing the drums, accordion, piano, organ and about any stringed instrument, often making his own. Above all, his greatest joy was his family, vacations and camping in the outdoors, family reunions, working on projects with his family, and sharing his artistic talents.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Bessie; his children, Mary Ellen (Erich) Hubert, Stanley (Cindy) Witt, Diane Witt-Roper, Linda (John) Hanks, Ronald (Ellen) Witt, and Daniel (Cindi) Witt; his cherished 24 grandchildren and many of their spouses, adding 25 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way); siblings/in-laws, Alvin Witt, Dorothy Griffith, David (Colleen) Witt, Janice Witt, Alene Mangelson, Sandra Mangelson and many more extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Marvin and Leona, in-laws; LeGrande and Reba Mangelson; siblings/in-laws, Aileen (Frank) Kelland, Leonard (Irma) Witt, Merlin Witt, Phillip Mangelson, Ned Mangelson, David (Renae) Mangelson, and Maynard Mangelson; son-in-law, Murray Roper; great-grandson, Levi Hubert.

A viewing will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Anderson Funeral Home, 94 W 300 N, Nephi, Utah. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25 N 100 E, Levan, Utah at 12:30 PM, with a viewing preceding from 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM. Gerald will be interred at the Levan Town Cemetery.

The funeral service will be streamed live at:
https://evt.live/gerald-witt