26 Sep 1939 – 25 Nov 2013
Ronald Floyd Malan, of American Fork, died Monday in Provo after suffering a stroke while serving an LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. He was 74.
Ron was born September 26, 1939, in Ogden. He spent his teen years near Burbank, CA before serving an LDS mission from 1960-62 in France. He returned to his waiting sweetheart, Donna Jean Pefley, and they married March 1,1963 in the Logan temple.
Ron was a natural and passionate educator. After earning a BA from BYU, he taught at Church College of Western Samoa before returning to earn a masters degree and work at BYU, where he spent 36 years creating and developing the department of Independent Study before retiring in 2001.
He was known for his gardening, genealogy, and puns; Ron loved to make people smile. His life was devoted to his faith in the LDS church, where he served on high councils, in bishoprics and four missions with his beloved wife in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Chicago. He was a dedicated temple ordinance worker and sealer.
Ron’s life will be celebrated by his wife Donna and mother Ina; children Cathy Brickey, Michelle DeGraw, Marina Daniels, David Malan, Laurie Lammers, Becci Rasche, and Paul Malan; siblings Toni Hill, Johnny Lafanta, Mimi Pacheco; 31 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. His death was preceded by his father, Floyd, and sisters ReNae Lunak and Michelle Santoyo.
The funeral will be Saturday, November 30, at 11:00 am at 380 S 300 E in American Fork. Friends may visit Friday from 6-8 pm at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork, and Saturday from 9:45-10:45 prior to the service. Ron would be delighted to say you can expect an o-pun casket. Burial will be in American Fork cemetery. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com