Karla Gammon

March 17, 1941 — July 22, 2023

Karla Wilcox Gammon passed away peacefully on July 22, 2023 at her home in Provo, Utah at age 82.

Karla was born March 17, 1941 in Twin Falls, Idaho to LeRoy and Letha Wilcox. Due to her father’s military service, she and her family lived in several places throughout the U.S. as well as Japan during her upbringing. She graduated from BYU with a nursing degree in 1963 and then served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern Far East Mission (Japan). While working as a hospital nurse, she met Ray Eugene (Gene) Gammon, who was one of the patients. They were married on March 6, 1969 in the Salt Lake Temple and raised seven children together.

Karla had a firm testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many different church callings throughout her life, including as a temple ordinance worker for over 20 years, which also included a temple mission from 2005-2006 in Nauvoo, Illinois with Gene. She regularly gave quiet acts of service to her family, friends, and neighbors, sacrificing her time and using her talents while never seeking public recognition for her good deeds. Her example of Christlike love is a treasured gift she shared with her children and others.

Karla valued good music, played the piano, and sang in choirs. She enjoyed attending the theater and symphonies with her family, and she supported her children in music lessons and sporting events. She loved reading books and was an avid journal-keeper, even writing in her journal up until the week she passed away.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Jerry Dean Wilcox, and granddaughter Elizabeth Gammon. She is survived by her husband Gene; three sisters; one brother; her seven children: Carol (David) Jensen, Karen (Joe) Johnson, Susan (Tony) Burdette, Dave (Serena) Gammon, Steve (Jamie) Gammon, John (Kori) Gammon, and Rachel (Jesse) Mecham; 30 grandchildren; and 2.5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Edgemont 2nd Ward chapel (555 East 3230 North, Provo, Utah 84604) on Thursday July 27, 2023 at 11:00 am. Viewings will be held at that same chapel from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday July 26, 2023 and from 9:30 – 10:30 am on July 27, 2023. Interment at East Lawn Cemetery in Provo, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church’s General Offerings fund.