Jerry Duwayne Gittins

Jerry DuWayne Gittins 85 passed away at his home on April 30th, 2023. He endured many health problems but always showed great strength and would never give up. He was quite the trooper, and was always looking out for his children and grand children.

He was born September 7, 1937 in Smithfield, Utah the son of Wayne Lorin Gittins and Isabelle Tennessee Williams. He grew up in Smithfield. He stopped attending school in the 10th grade, and started working full-time. My dad met my mother at Hyrum Elite Dance Hall in Hyrum, Utah. He married the love of his life Eunice Elaine Bradshaw on July 27th, 1956 in Wellsville Utah. They were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on January 16th 1964. My parents lived in Smithfield in the same house for 62 years. They had 5 children Shaunie, Craig, Melanie, Kevin and myself Rebecca.

My dad was known by so many people. He started his working career at Spring Creek Ranch. Milked cows for David Weeks for 2 years. He worked for Chub Lumberg doing grain and sprinklers. Anderson Coach for 5 years. And then at Thiokel, Delorien, later known as LMC for 31 years. He traveled to Austria, France, Canada and Germany for his job at LMC. He worked in many different departments there and was in Sales and Service when he retired. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. And loved by so many clients and coworkers.

But my dad's greatest achievement in life was his family. He loved my mother, kids grandkids and great grandkids so much. He was the best dad in the world. He would bring me home a treat in his lunchbox every day after work. He took care of many grandkids every morning, fixing them toast and watching many cartoons before he got them off to school.
He retired before my mom due to back problems and health issues but would often be seen in the kitchen cooking dinner and baking bread for my mom before she got home from work. My dad and mom bought the house they lived in for 60 plus years for 5 thousand dollars, he gutted the entire house, built the rooms upstairs, and did all his own cement work, built a patio and his own shop. He was an excellent woodworker. He built many things. Waterbeds, China hutches, utility trailers, log splitter and his own boat. That boat was used so many years over to Newton Dam for waterskiing and so many fishing trips. My dad loved to hunt. Deer hunting and pheasant hunting. He would reload his own bullets. But his passion was fishing. And his favorite place to be was on Blackfoot Reservoir. He loved camping with his family and had many trailers over the years. He took his kids and grandkids fishing all the time. My kids Teisha and Emmersen loved to go fishing with my mom and dad. They would get up at 5 and stop for goodies and head out to go fishing for the day. But they took a lot of grandkids camping and fishing throughout the years. He loved fishing with his sons, Craig and Kevin, his brother Jim, and his friend Tom. And boy the fish stories they would all tell.
He pulled a fifth wheel all the way to Alaska , with my mom and their dog Raisin. He told me that was the only time my mom ever out fished him!

My dad loved treats. He loved when my mom would bake bread, cinnamon rolls, apple sauce cookies and zucchini bread. I would always hear him bribing my mom to make goodies for him. He often asked my sister in law Debbie to make zucchini bread for him, donating the zucchini from his garden. And Sarah Hyde would often make him goodies. He had the most beautiful garden every year! He learned from his dad and mom at a young age how important it was to grow a garden. He grew one every year until he was 80. He would can beans, tomatoes and taught my siblings and I how to as well.

My dad had a great sense of humor and love to tease all us kids and the grandkids. He would often be heard calling my mom know it all Bradshaw. He had great relationships with his kids and grandkids and great grand kids. He got to spend time with the two great grandkids Mayla and Camden that my mom fought so hard to meet. He spent many of his last days with Mayla on his lap eating toast and watching cartoons, and I know my mom was looking down from heaven enjoying every minute!
He had close relationships with Jenny, Jorden, Teisha because we lived and cared for him throughout the years. But really everyone he touched in some special way.

He was able to baptize his kids and most of his grandkids. Emmersen was the last grandkid he baptized. My dad was 81 at the time. That was so very special for all of us.

He is survived by his children Craig Gittiins Smithfield, Utah. Kevin Gittins, Providence, Utah. Rebecca Walbeck, Weston, Idaho. 16 grandkids and 22 great grand kids. And his siblings JaNae Greene, Jay Gittins and Jedd Gittins.

He is preceded in death by his wife Eunice Elaine Gittins, his daughters Shaunie Hansen and Melanie Myers. His parents Wayne and Isabella Gittins . His sister JoAnn Huff and his brother James Gittins.

My dad was the most kind and loving person. I can't say enough about him. He took care of his kids and family all throughout his life. And it was a great honor to care for him and my mom throughout the years. We are all going to miss him so much, he was our Rock! But I know he is in heaven with my mom, sisters, family and friends and free from all his pain. Until we all see you again Dad! Know that we love you with our all our hearts and enjoy your reunion.

A special thanks to everyone who helped take care of my dad. My siblings and his grandkids. Kathleen Douglass, Nola Gittins, Bonnie Hoffman, friends Tom Karen, Rick Toolsen, Verna Trappett, Matt and Sarah Hyde, Kirk and Natalie McRae, Bishop Poulsen, Dr John Markenson and his nurses, ward members, neighbors and everyone else who helped and offered their precious time. He treasured each and every one of you!

There will be a viewing Saturday May 6th from 10-11:45 a.m.
Nelson Funeral Home 85 Main St, Smithfield, UT 84335

Graveside Services at 12:00 p.m. Smithfield Cemetery
300 E Center St, Smithfield, UT 84335