On Sunday, July 5, 2020, Ronald William Jewkes, our loving husband and father of four, passed away at the age of 92 while surrounded by his family.
Ron was born in Kenilworth, Utah on November 23, 1927 to Cal and Viola Jewkes. He was the youngest of two boys.
Ron was a tremendous athlete who seemed to excel in any sport he tried. Upon graduation from Carbon High School in 1946, he enrolled at Carbon College to further his education and pursue his dream of a coaching career. He made the basketball team his freshman year. His father Cal was the store manager at the Kenilworth Mercantile Store and needed help so Ron quit school and began working at the store full time. In his spare time, he played baseball in the coal league where he showcased his skill on the diamond. Ron would work for the Kenilworth store for the next seventeen years until the mine company sold its interest and closed mining operations. He then went to work for Hi-Land Dairy where he delivered milk throughout Carbon County for 24 years.
Ron met the love of his life, Norine Ghirardelli, who was working as an usher at the Strand Theatre in Helper, Utah. While dating, dad endured the playful antics of the Ghirardelli brothers, Joe, Chuck, and Richard whom he loved as his own brothers. Dad played against Joe in a coal league game and while Joe was pitching he struck dad in the elbow when he was up to the plate. Dad joked that Joe hit him on purpose.
He had many hobbies including fishing, bowling, golf, pitching horseshoes and especially cheering for the Utes and any team playing against BYU. He also enjoyed following his kids and grandkids playing sports. Following retirement Ron volunteered at the Western Railroad & Mining Museum where he loved talking about the history of the coal camps, particularly Kenilworth. His accomplishments were many, including a certificate of appreciation for 25 years of volunteering at the museum, Utah Commission of service and Volunteerism award from the office of the Lt. Governor, Grand Marshall of the Cal Ripken Baseball parade, Grand Marshall of Carbon High Homecoming 2016 and Department of Oil, Gas and Mining Statewide Oral History interview 2016.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Norine Ghirardelli Jewkes; children, Laurie (Gary) Hanson, Price, Ronnie (Jan Siaperas) Jewkes, Price, Stacey (Andy Barnett, Jr.) Jewkes, Price, Jeff (Jessica) Jewkes, Kenilworth; grandchildren, Charlie, Gianni, Andrea, Nicholas, Christopher, Julia, Tristan, Noah, Chloe, Logan; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mary Ghirardelli, Helper, Marlene Ghirardelli, Price.
Preceded in death by his parents, Cal and Viola Jewkes; brother, Calvin Jewkes, Jr.; in-laws, Joseph and Rose Ghirardelli; sisters-in-law, Betty Jewkes, Mary Louise Ghirardelli; brothers-in-law, Joe, Chuck and Rich Ghirardelli.
Per Ron’s wishes there will be no services. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome to share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to the Western Railroad & Mining Museum in Helper in memory of Ron.