Robert Ray “Bob” Day

With a lifetime of stories behind him and the open desert ahead, Robert Ray “Bob” Day took his final ride on August 22, 2026, at the age of 83. He passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Nan, by his side.

Bob was born June 7, 1943, in Delta, Utah, to Don and Ula Day. He was the second of four children and the first son. Raised by loving, hardworking parents, Bob learned early the value of family, hard work, and doing whatever needed to be done.

He was a rough-and-tough cowboy farm boy who grew up believing a man’s word meant something, hard work never hurt anybody, and you always helped when you could.

Bob attended Delta High School, where he played football, and later continued playing at Snow College. He carried that same determination and competitive spirit into every part of his life.

Bob worked hard his entire life, at times holding three jobs at once to provide for his family. Over the years, he worked as a firefighter, sheriff’s deputy, at Kennecott, as a plumber, and as grounds director for Juab County. He also spent many years at Pexton Wholesale. Whatever job Bob was doing, he gave it his all. If someone needed a plumber, a helping hand, or simply someone willing to show up, Bob was the man to call—day or night.

His desire to serve went far beyond his work. Bob believed in his community and was always willing to step up wherever he was needed. He served as a 4-H advisor and as a high school rodeo advisor for more than 30 years. He was a proud member of the Nephi Nebo Posse Riding Club for more than 50 years and served on the Ute Stampede Committee for more than 25 years.

He especially loved helping the cowboys, often cooking and providing breakfast for them in the mornings. Rodeo, horses, cowboys, and the traditions of the West weren’t simply hobbies to Bob—they were a way of life.

A cowboy through and through, Bob took great pride in horsemanship. He loved being horseback, but he loved just as much helping others learn to ride and experience the freedom that came with it.

Some of his favorite days were spent saddling up his beloved horse, Rocket, and heading into the desert with family and great friends to chase wild horses. Out there, with good horses beneath them, good people beside him, and miles of open country ahead, Bob was right where he belonged.

He also loved football, a ride up the canyon with a cup of coffee, and hunting and camping with his children and grandchildren. But more than anything in this world, Bob loved his family.

Bob and Nan shared 64 years of marriage, building a beautiful life together from the ground up. He cherished his wife and the many adventures they shared along the way, creating a lifetime of memories together.

Together, they raised four children: Todd (Deone) Day, Russ and (Edria) Day, Shane Day, and Stephanie Christensen. Bob was incredibly proud of his 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Some of his greatest joys came from watching his family grow, work hard, and carry on the traditions and values that meant so much to him.

Those who knew Bob will remember his sense of humor, his stubborn streak, his quiet kindness, his stories, and the way he could tell you exactly what he thought—whether you asked him or not.

He could be rough around the edges, but underneath that toughness was a deeply loving and tender man.

His hands told the story of a life well lived—reins held tight, years of honest work, grandchildren held gently, and the hands of those he loved held even tighter. Especially Nan’s.

Bob was blessed with a wonderful group of lifelong friends and lived a full life filled with horses, family, work, laughter, and adventure. He never needed fancy things or much recognition. A good horse, open country, family close by, and a hot cup of coffee were plenty.

He lived by the values of the old West: honesty, grit, loyalty, hard work, keeping your word, and helping people without needing to be asked.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Ula Day, and his oldest sister, Gloria Day. He is survived by his siblings Bonnie Day, and Bill (Connie) Day, in-laws Rex & Linda Garfield and Gary (Brenda) Corbin.

He leaves behind far more than memories. He leaves a legacy—in his family, in the traditions he passed down, in the friendships he made, in the stories that will continue to be told around kitchen tables and campfires, and in every life he made a little better simply because he was part of it.

Bob was a tough man who faced the hard parts of life with grace. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, cowboy, mentor, and friend.

His trail was long.
His life was full.
And the people who loved him were many.

Rest easy, Cowboy. Your work here is done. Keep a good horse saddled and the coffee hot until we ride together again.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Rosenbeck, Leslie Greenhalgh, Julianne Parkin, and the many nurses and staff members at CVMC who went above and beyond in caring for Bob and his family.

Graveside services will be held Monday, August 31, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Vine Bluff Cemetery, Nephi, Utah. The family invites you to bring a chair. We will have an open mic for anyone who would like to share a memory, story, or thought about Bob.