LaVar Gilbert Kissell
April 4, 1934 - July 26, 2013
LaVar Gilbert Kissell
April 4, 1934 – July 25 2013
Gilbert passed away with his wife and family by his side from pneumonia on July 25, 2013. He was born on April 4th 1934 as the first born child to LaVar Wesley and Sarah Page in Salt Lake City Utah.
He graduated from Granite High in 1952. He attended the University of Utah and from there he joined the army and continued his education. He married the love of his live, Jean Edmunds on January 15, 1957. He spent years in the computer and technology field where he helped to invent many innovative projects. He retired as a senior staff engineer after 36 years from L3 Communications.
Jean and Gib loved to travel and had many wonderful vacations with family and friends. Gilbert enjoyed reading, waterskiing, and fishing with his brother Dave. He was also talented in silversmithing, and was gifted at woodworking. His wood crafts will outlive us all. Gilbert was a loving father and devoted husband; he was kind, patient, and humble with the most charming smile. He was the quiet intellect who helped those around him strive to be better people, he was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed!
Gilbert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jean Kissell; his daughter Cindy Lewis (Lane); his son Jon Kissell (Judith); and his youngest daughter Kristi Jean Kissell. He is also survived by his 4 grandsons, Dylan Lewis, Kyle, Kurtis, and Kenny Kissell; his brother John David Kissell (Georgia); sister Ann Davis (John) and his brother in-law DeVere Hanson.
He is preceded in death by his parents LaVar and Sarah Kissell; brother Richard Kissell; and his sister Carol Jean Hanson.
A memorial will be held on Wednesday, July 31st from 7:00-9:00pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 1st at 11:00am, also at Starks Funeral Parlor, where a viewing will begin an hour prior. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South, Salt Lake City.
In lieu of flowers please make a charitable donation of your choice in Gilbert’s name.
In Loving Memory
Dear Kristi, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Scott Blaser
Long Beach, US
Dear Jeannie, We were saddened to learn of Gil's passing. My wife and I knew you both in 1965 and 1966 in Mainz, Germany while working with the mod team from Sperry. I had known Gil from work previously but got to know him quite well during that time. He was a smart man with a quiet and winning manner. I have seen him a few times since even though I stayed with Unisys. Please accept out sincere condolences. Phil and Jean Giles .
Phil Giles
Bountiful, UT
Gilbert was the finest man that I have ever heard of in all my life and through Kristi, I have come to know this incredible man, husband and father. It is an honor to know that the body and soul of Gilbert reminds us all to be our own best person, too.
suzanne sandidge
san francisco, ca
Dear Jeannie, Cindy, Jon, and Kristi, I am so sorry to hear about Gilbert's passing. I am so grateful that I got to visity with Gilbert and you, Jeannie when I was last home. I always had a secret "crush" on Gilbert and have so many fond memories of the times our families spent together. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love from your cousin, Lorri
Lorri & Ron Myers
Oak Ridge, TN
My deepest sympathy to you all. As the obit stated Gil was a great guy. He is one of a kind and will be deeply missed. I worked with Gil for more than 20 years at L3. He was one engineer you could always depend on to assist you where and whenever he could. It was always a presure to work with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Frank
Frank Bertagnolli
Clinton, UT
It is with much sorrow and sadness to know of Gils passing and we send the Kissell family our deepest sympathy and compassion for your loss at this time. We know the sadness the family is feeling as we have been going through this lately with losses from family and friends. I had the good fortune to not only know Gil through the years at work but played softball and basketball on our teams at Sperry/Unisys. Gil was a very special person and was the most composed person I have ever known. At one point in my career I was loaned out to work under Gils supervision on the Missile Firing Test System. Gil sent much praise back to my supervisor for the great job I did while working for him. No other person I was loaned out to work for ever did that. Over the years when I have thought back on work or sports Gil was always there. We send you our blessing and always know what a special person Gil was. I am Just sad that I was not able to attend the viewing or funeral. Louis (Lou) & Sherry Parry
Louis(Lou) & Sherry Parry
nan, nan