Lona Gay Christensen Ricks

Lona Gay Christensen Ricks, 91, passed away peacefully, from natural causes, on October 29, 2025, at Seasons Assisted Living Center in Farr West, Utah.

Gay was born on December 26, 1933, in Downey, Idaho to Ruel Andrew and Dora Elsie Bloxham Christensen. She was one of twelve children who blessed the family. Her life is an example to many of resilience, faith, and devotion to all who were blessed to have known or who came in contact with her. In her youth, Gay preferred to be outside working on the farm rather than in the house.

Gay lived most of her life in Davis and Weber Counties of Utah. She lived and raised her family in Sunset and Clearfield. She loved sports and played softball until she was in her 60s. She was an avid Colorado Rockies fan and kept stats of every game. She cried and loved having a “ballpark hot dog” when she was able to attend a Rockies game in person at the age of 85. Her twilight years were spent in Ogden at the Harrison Regent where she made many new friends. She loved movie nights with her best friend Marlene and served in the Relief Society Presidency of the Regent Branch. Most recently she lived in Farr West.

Gay was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in several callings in the Relief Society, Primary and Scouting organizations of the Church. She has a strong testimony and faith in our Heavenly Fathers’ Plan and the role of Jesus Christ as her Savior and Redeemer.

Gay attended LDS Business College where she learned the skill of shorthand and other skills. She used those skills on her mission to London England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serving as secretary to the temple recorder in the Logan Utah Temple. She worked as school secretary at North Layton and Sunset Junior High Schools. She loved her career working with the students at these schools.

Gays’ hands were always busy, whether sewing a beautiful prom dress for her daughter, crocheting baby blankets and booties for grand babies or making ornaments. Children and grandchildren will always remember her for the $5 or $10 bill in birthday and Christmas cards and her annual Christmas ornament that she would make and give to each family member.

Gay married Dean Cottrell Knighton on March 24, 1961, in the Logan Utah Temple. They were blessed with three sons, Larry Dean, Kyle Jade, and Darin William. She became a widow when Dean died unexpectedly on January 16, 1965. She met Virgil Arch Ricks at a church dance, and their relationship blossomed. They were married on February 14, 1969. With this marriage she was blessed with 5 additional children whom she loves dearly. They were married one day shy of their 29th anniversary when Virgil passed away on February 13, 1998. They were blessed with another son, Marvin Leroy. Gay loved all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren from both marriages. Once you became a part of the family, you became one of hers. Her love knew no boundaries, and she considered and loved each as her own.

Gay is survived by her children, Kyle Jade (Geri) Knighton, Darin William (Cindy) Knighton, and Marvin Leroy (Tammy) Ricks, Arden (Connie) Ricks- deceased, Virginia (Pete) Miller, Teresa (Jeff) Brewer, Betty Louise (Shane) Ricks, and Julie McCowan.

33 of her 35 grandchildren: Dallas, Corrie, Angela, Derrick Jade, Jeremy, Adam Dean, Brittney, Stephanie, Tiffany, Dillan, Whitney, Krystle, Amber Dawn, Trevor, Shaun, Kathy, Karen, Kristy, Coj, Jacque, Cory, Chase (deceased), Jaymie, Jaycie, Dustin (deceased) , Derrick Tyler, Mitchell, Maygen, Liesa, Kimberlee, Adam Michael, Melissa, Elton, and Amber Nicole; 66 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Gay also survived by her siblings, Uvonne (Jay) Christensen, Merna (Ronald) Johnson, Alan (DeAnn) Christensen, Elise (Vernon) Parent, Neil (Terri) Christensen, Rula Dawn Beardall, and Darrell (Leanne) Christensen.

Gay was preceded in death by her husbands, Dean Cottrell Knighton and Virgil Arch Ricks; her son, Larry Dean Knighton; her parents, Ruel and Dora Christensen; her brother, Ruel Dee Christensen; and her sisters, Delene (Reese) Ward, and Bonnie (Scott) Sheriff; and 2 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

The family would like to extend gratitude to those who served Gay in her final years. Staff and residents of Harrison Regent Independent Living Center, her personal care giver Carilyn Gift, her nurse and care givers Marci, Rileigh, Natalie, Ed, and all of the loving staff of Symbii Home Health and Hospice and Seasons Assisted Living Center.