Roy S. Ludlow

Roy Stanley Ludlow

Roy Stanley Ludlow quietly passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on October 6, 2010 at the age of 89.

He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and was the youngest of five children of Edmund and Ella Nora Christensen Ludlow.  Roy excelled in sports and was a star baseball pitcher and a premiere basketball player of the championship South High School team. He was also the Salt Lake tennis champion while in high school. After high school Roy excelled at bowling and golf. Late in life, he took up tennis again and won several tournaments including the Tribune No Champs Senior Division and several medals at the Huntsman Senior Games.  He was a nationally ranked player while in his 70’s.

During WW II, Roy served in the Merchant Marines.  In the early 1950’s, he started Star Swimming Pools and built the first hotel swimming pool in downtown Salt Lake. He also manufactured fiberglass diving boards and then decided to sell his pool business and embarked on a new adventure building fiberglass boats, which became HydroSwift Boats, the largest manufacturer of pleasure boats west of the Mississippi in the 1960s. Roy was a creative genius and also built fiberglass convertible auto tops for Fisher GMAC.  He was a leader in the vacuum form industry, and also manufactured urethane foam insulation. He excelled at being a draftsman, engineer, scientist, and architect.  He also held several patents.

Roy met the love of his life, Bonnie Barnhurst on a blind date and they were married in 1947. Roy always said that without the support and assistance of Bonnie, he never would have been a successful businessman. They raised a loving family of four children. Roy and Bonnie traveled the world and upon retirement enjoyed winters in Sun City West, Arizona. In 2003, Bonnie fell and broke her neck after which Roy unselfishly assumed her total care. They were inseparable. Roy stated he would leave this world before his beloved wife, so he could make sure she had a special place waiting for her. His wish came true.

He is survived by four children: B. Greg (Beth), Randy (Terri), Cindy Christensen (Deb Sauer), and Julie Jensen; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Much thanks to a loving brother and sister-in-law – Mike and Ellen Murphy; the staff of Inspiration Hospice; and Karen and Vika of Rescare for their loving care. Friends and family are asked to join us in a wake which will be held at Starks Funeral parlor (3651 South 900 East) from  6-8 p.m. on Monday October 11, 2010. A graveside service will be held at Wasatch Lawns (3401 S. Highland Drive) on Tuesday October 12, 2010 at 2 p.m.             

We will deeply miss our loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He inspired us all to do our best and to never give up.  No doubt he is enjoying golf and tennis again with the angels.