Alan Gudmundson was born on January 26, 1956 to Grant and Coline Gudmundson. His love of the Savior Jesus Christ was evident in his lifelong service to others. He will be remembered for how much he loved people.
In 1975-1977 Alan served as a missionary in the British Colombia, Canada mission. He married his sweetheart Elizabeth Higham on October 10, 1979, in the Logan, Utah temple. Their marriage was a beautiful example of a true love story.
Alan received his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in 1983 in Communicative Disorders/Speech Pathology. Just before graduation, he received a clear prompting to pursue teaching young people the gospel of Jesus Christ. He began his 34 year teaching career as a seminary teacher in Montpelier, ID in 1983.
He received his master’s degree in Instructional Technology in 1987. He taught in Logan, UT and later was assigned to coordinate in the Madison, WI area. He completed his career in Cedar City, UT where he loved leading the SUU institute council and working with the H.O.P.E. show choir. Alan loved his job. He would often say, “I never had to go to work one day of my life! I got to go to work!”
Alan began running in 1982 to improve his health. He soon became an avid athlete. He picked up cycling and swimming, becoming a competitive triathlete. He was the go-to man for organizing running races in both Logan and Cedar City, UT.
Alan loved traveling and people. This came together for him as a tour guide to the Holy Land. After moving to Cedar City, in 2000, he fell in love with exploring the southern Utah landscape and became certified in rappelling and canyoneering. After retiring, he had the opportunity to guide tours for the 5 National Parks in Utah.
In 2005, Alan and Elizabeth became involved in the Nauvoo Pageant. They helped with the training curriculum for the casts and eventually were asked to direct the Nauvoo Pageant Bagpipe Band. The Bagpipe Band served the Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa area with concerts and performances each summer. Alan started out playing the bass drum, but eventually learned to play the bagpipes with his son, Joseph. Many saw them playing their pipes together for celebrations around Cedar City.
Alan served as a bishop and in multiple bishoprics in his life. Three weeks before he retired in 2017, he and Elizabeth were called as Baptistry coordinators to help set up and supervise the new Cedar City Temple baptistry. Before their release, Alan was called (2019-2022) to preside over the Nauvoo and British Pageants. After his release, Alan & Elizabeth served a full-time mission to the Nauvoo, Illinois temple, the summer of 2023.
Music spoke to Alan’s soul. He had a beautiful singing voice and often sang to his sweetheart and children. He adored his grandchildren and made time for them, always making sure they knew they were loved. He was a master storyteller. He took his grandchildren on adventures, taught them how to work with their hands, to find beauty in nature, and how to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Alan had an incredible ability to push through hard things. Although he was diagnosed with ALS in June 2023, he fought daily to keep up his strength and ability. Still being able to ride his stationary bike and walk to bed, he passed away on September 2, 2024 of cardiorespiratory failure. Although he had been ill, his passing was unexpected. He never gave up.
Alan will be greatly missed by his eternal sweetheart, Elizabeth and their 4 children Jesica (Ammon) Wilcken, Jami Lyn (Jason) Niles, Vanesa (Jaron) Packer, & Joseph Gudmundson, and 10 grandchildren: Miriam, Ammon, Allan, Elizabeth, Emma, Jacob, Benjamin, John, Joshua, & Aaliyah. He is also survived and will be missed by his father, Grant Gudmundson and his siblings Brian, Daryl, Mark, Steve and Christine.
There will be an open house celebration of life September 27, 2024 at the Cedar Institute of religion (650 West Center, Cedar City) from 4:00-6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please come prepared to share a special memory. Memorial services will follow at the Cedar City cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.mortuary.org.