Ronald Earl Casper departed this life to reunite with his dear Marreen on April 28, 2026, in St. George, Utah. He was a humble and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, and a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ.

Ron was born in Idaho Falls, ID on November 7, 1941, one month before the invasion of Pearl Harbor, to William Earl and Rita Sermon Casper and spent his childhood making adventures and memories in a small house with a big yard on Crowley Street, a few blocks away from the Snake River in Idaho Falls.

He was a proud graduate of Idaho Falls High School in the Class of 1960 and made it back to most class reunions throughout his life. A talented athlete, he excelled in football, track, and wrestling, and he was also a gifted tenor in the school choir. He later attended Ricks College for 2 years where he played football and wrestled and was once crowned the “Most Preferred Man on Campus”.

At age 19 he surprised many by deciding to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ron spent 2 great years as a faithful missionary in the British Mission and Southwest British Mission. He considered his mission experience the turning point of his life and often told tales of his time in Ryde on the Isle of Wight and made many lifelong friends among his companions and fellow missionaries. His mission deepened his testimony and discipleship of his Savior Jesus Christ and was the spiritual foundation for the rest of his life.

While attending Ricks College, Ron met Marreen Overman while standing in line to register for classes. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 5, 1964, and together raised their family in Idaho Falls, Idaho and then Provo, UT while he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Masters of Public Administration at BYU, and finally in the East Millcreek area of Salt Lake City, UT. Ron enjoyed a lengthy career in political affairs, first with the Utah Legislature in the budget area followed by work for the executive branch in the regulatory area. Later Ron spent many years as Director of Government Affairs for Questar in Salt Lake City, UT, and started his own lobbying firm, Capitol Strategies Group, where he participated in one of his most rewarding professional endeavors as the Utah Director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) advocating for small businesses throughout the state.

Ron felt his greatest accomplishment was his family. Together with his sweet wife Marreen he raised 5 independent children who brought much joy and adventure into his life. They lived an idyllic life surrounded by close friends in the Rosecrest 1st Ward, where he served as Bishop. In 2003 he and Marreen moved to St. George, UT and at the age of 78 he was called as the Bishop of the Snow Canyon 6th Ward. He loved those whom he served and considered fellow ward members to be family. In later life he and Marreen served together in the Tennessee Knoxville mission in 2013 until Marreen passed away during their missionary service in September 2013.

In June 2016 Ron married Betty Packer, a sweet and kind acquaintance from his high school days. She provided him with much joy and together they made an inseparable couple during his last years. Betty was a devoted companion who supported him through his service in the Snow Canyon 6th Ward, including as Bishiop. Ron and Betty served faithfully as ordinance workers in the St. George Temple until the time of his passing. Ron and Betty were sealed in the Las Vegas Temple in 2018. The 10 years spent with Betty were filled with love, companionship, service, breakfast at McDonald’s, and travel to visit both of their families.

Ron was a kind-hearted and patient man, a gospel scholar, and became fast friends with everyone he met. While spending time with family at games, restaurants, and church he would often disappear only to be found making new friends with strangers. He was a long-time little league baseball coach and Scoutmaster, happily influencing the lives of hundreds of young men, and was a lifelong fan of BYU sports. He always carried within himself the little boy from Crowley Street in Idaho Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Rita, his beloved wife Marreen, his dear sister Cheryl who passed at age 6, and his infant great-grandson Holden Cottrell.

He is survived by his wife Betty, his children: Bill (Becky) Casper of Driftwood, TX, Ron (Lisa) Casper of West Jordan, UT, Jared (Juli) Casper of Monticello AR, Marnie (Steve) Cottrell of Monticello, AR, and Jeni (Chris) Olsen of Gilbert, AZ; his brother, Richard Casper of Salt Lake City, UT; and his 22 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Friday May 8, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, UT 84770.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the LDS Church located at 1610 North Dixie Downs Road, St. George, UT. Interment will follow at the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, UT.