Santa Clara, UT - Our beloved father, grandfather, and devoted husband, Jerry Elwood Romney, passed peacefully from this life, returning to the loving arms of his cherished wife, Lucille. Born September 27, 1929, in Santa Clara, Utah, to Elwood Snow and Ruth Hafen Romney, Jerry's life was marked by purpose, discipline, and a steady devotion to family—qualities he carried from his earliest years.

Jerry's childhood took him across the American West as his father coached at several colleges. In 1934 the family moved to Gunnison, Colorado, where his father worked at Western State College, and three years later to Golden, Colorado, with the Colorado School of Mines. Even as a young boy, Jerry was industrious and determined, spending summers lifeguarding at the Golden Plunge, then, after freezing the pool in the winter, renting out skates while managing the ice rink.

His teen years continued in Santa Fe and later Albuquerque, New Mexico. There he drove miners up steep canyon roads, worked as a dynamite cap boy at a mica mine, served as a busboy, and tended the freedom garden outside town—pedaling miles each day to water, weed, and harvest. He even drove a Brigadier General around Albuquerque, at the age of 14, a responsibility far beyond the age most young men were given. Jerry also helped manage the first Dairy Queen in Albuquerque.

A talented and disciplined athlete, Jerry became the never-subbed-out starting guard on his high school basketball team and graduated in 1947 with several scholarship offers. He first played for Modesto Junior College, then continued at Brigham Young University, where he became a starting guard on the 1951 BYU team that won the National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden—then the most prestigious title in college basketball. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in Business.

While studying at BYU, Jerry's life changed forever when he met a beautiful young woman in the bookstore—Lola "Lucille" Green. At 6'4" and with confidence as an All-American athlete, Jerry easily took the lead in her life both on and off the dance floor. They were married on May 2, 1952, in Phoenix, Arizona, beginning a partnership grounded in loyalty, laughter, and traditional devotion. Jerry was, in every sense, a man of his time—proper, businesslike, and old-fashioned in his expectations—yet he adored Lucille and relied deeply on her warmth, optimism, and steady grace.

Just months after their marriage, Jerry left for basic training at Camp Roberts in California. He played basketball for the Army, qualified as a sharpshooter, and later taught sharpshooting and hand-to-hand combat at Counterintelligence School. He was even asked to play for the Air Force basketball team, and when he inquired who he should report to, a general simply replied, "Only me." Jerry also coached women's Army basketball teams before being honorably discharged on August 4, 1954.

After his service, Jerry was drafted by the Rochester Royals of the NBA and offered opportunities with the premier Phillips 66 Oilers, as well as a high-paying position in the oil industry. But Jerry's father reminded him where he was needed, and the money earned playing basketball wasn't enough to support his young family. Jerry, always disciplined and duty-driven, chose family.

Jerry and Lucille built their life in the Olympus Cove area of Salt Lake City, where they raised their seven children. Jerry worked as a BYU sports broadcaster, later transitioning into news broadcasting, and served on many prominent business boards throughout Salt Lake. He founded the University of Utah Boosters Club and was long active in athletics—handball, tennis, and basketball at local clubs. Professionally, he built a distinguished career with John Hancock Life Insurance, earning Salesman of the Year ten years in a row through his signature focus, integrity, and tireless work ethic.

Though Jerry projected the polished, proper demeanor of a businessman, he was happiest in the outdoors with his family. He and Lucille spent countless vacations at Lake Powell aboard their yacht, the Why Not?, and later made lifelong memories jeeping the trails of Southern Utah and traveling the state in their motorhome. Jerry continued boating until age 85, always the captain at the helm.

In 2009, Jerry and Lucille returned to Santa Clara, bringing their lives full circle to the place of his birth and the place where she would later pass peacefully in 2014. Jerry remained devoted to her for the rest of his days, carrying forward her warmth, hospitality, and love for nature in the quiet way only he could.

Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lola "Lucille" Green Romney; and by their sons: Charles Elwood Romney, Jerry Elwood Romney Junior, Jeffrey Jay Romney, and Jeff's wife Melinda Tuckett Romney. He is survived by their children: Jill Ence (Greg), Jan Romney (Stephanie), Jackie Peterson, and Jennifer Romney. He also leaves behind his sisters: Janice Ruth Stevens (Ron) and Jean Bess (Robert); 26 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild who will forever cherish the steady strength, unwavering discipline, and deep love that defined his life.

Jerry Elwood Romney was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He would say his life was "lucky" because he was so blessed. He lived with purpose, loyalty, and a sense of duty that never wavered. His legacy is etched in the lives of his children, in the example he set, and in the enduring love he shared with Lucille—the dance that began in a bookstore and lasted a lifetime.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Santa Clara Valley Chapel, 3040 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara, Utah. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.

Those unable to attend are invited to view the services at the following link:

Livestream

Jerry Romney Funeral Service Program