Marlin Dean Gilson

Marlin joined his love, Ruth, and so many others awaiting, peacefully on May 29, 2024.

He was born to Cecil and Zola Gilson on November 21, 1933, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. He had three brothers, Kenneth, Duane, and Verle. He graduated from Guthrie High School in 1951 and joined his brother Ken in Alaska for an adventure working on the fishing boats. He was drafted into the Army in January 1956 and served at Fort Holabird, Maryland processing security clearances, which at that time was all by hand. He was discharged in 1957. In 1959 he and Ruth married, and they moved to Utah, where he joined his brother Duane in the construction industry. He was a general contractor in Ogden for almost 30 years, working with Bob Nicholson and Larry Olesky, and several local construction companies, building beautiful homes for people to live their lives in.

He retired in 1988, and he and Ruth started adventuring to Yuma, Arizona, where they established their second "winter" home. Dad had decided they had had enough of the snow. But as much as they loved their home in Yuma, they always made their way back to Utah with their daughters and grandchildren for the warm months. Spending countless hours outside in the yard and every Sunday having family dinner together. They were blessed by meeting some truly amazing people that created very strong, loving friendships. Many stories of celebration, adventure, and laughter have been told about their time there. When in Ogden, he and Ruth continued to work part time after retirement, They both enjoyed time driving cars for Hertz rental company. Marlin excelled at teaching and sharing his knowledge and skills. He had an extremely strong work ethic. He was a very loving, committed, genuine husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man. His sense of humor was a bit on the dry side, but he sure came up with some funny comments. You never knew when he would show up with some form of gift or love. From helping Marla find her passion for woodworking, to teaching Jodi how to run a Jigsaw. How many times did he and Gary show up to fix the sprinklers or a light fixture, or a number of other house issues. You couldn't really predict who ended up with a storage shed, a screen door, or a bridge to nowhere. He'd show up for a smoking Rodeo, or a Hyundai with the front tire being in the completely wrong place. He would do anything for the people he loved. He was always down for an adventure. Hey, wanna go? He'd answer, “Hell yes!” or “Damn right.”.

He and Ruth had some very loyal and longtime friends. Gary Reese, whom he met in 1964, while building Gary's house on the edge of a sliding mountain. The Raglands, Lee, Peg, Leanne and Matt, who were so close they were adopted family. Bud and Char Terkelson and all those arrowhead hunting and camping trips. Not to mention the winter bonfire and tubing parties. Several snowbird friends in Yuma. He sure loved the impromptu dinners with the neighbors, the hot tub and a glass of wine with Harvey and Jackie and supervising the cabinet building in Harvey's garage. He loved spending time with his family whether it be sitting out in the backyard, working in the garage, getting a haircut, Sunday dinners, or continuing the tradition of birthday celebrations at Javier's. He met his joyride buddy, Deb, in the summer of 2010. There were many laughs, great times, and even tears shared with too many to list, but whom he loved. 

He is survived by daughters Marla and Jodi Gilson. Two grandchildren, Nikolas and Jordan, and one grandson in law, Keith Trani. Nephews David and Marie (Duane), Eric and Rodger (Kenneth), and nieces Linda and Sheri (Verle).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Aaron's Mortuary, 496 24th Street, in Ogden. If you are unable to attend, please share a memory or two. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or food, please share your memories with us.