Lonnie Ray Oman

Lonnie Ray Oman passed away on February 18, 2023—his 78th birthday. He spent the last five and a half years valiantly fighting prostate and small-cell cancer. He endured years of chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments at the Huntsman Cancer Institute all to spend more time with the people he loved. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family while holding hands with his loving wife Rixa.

Lonnie was born on February 18, 1945, in Roosevelt, Utah to Ray and Alice Oman. The youngest of five, he grew up in Boneta on a family ranch originally settled by his grandparents. He loved the wide-open country and spent most of his spare time riding horses, hunting, trapping, and fishing. He enjoyed sports and spent hours playing basketball on an old backboard that was attached to the front of their barn. He graduated from Altamont High School in 1963.

After graduation, Lonnie was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northwestern States Mission from 1964 to 1966. These years were defining times in his life, and he created lifelong relationships. Upon returning home he attended Utah State University, where he was a student body officer and worked on the Entertainment Bureau. In 1969, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in personnel management.

While attending Utah State he met Rixa Clyde and immediately fell deeply in love. The first time he saw her he told his best friend that he was going to marry her. This began an incredible loving relationship that has lasted for over 54 years. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 6, 1968.

Right after graduation, Lonnie was drafted into the Army and sent to basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. Following basic training he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia and then sent to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. He would often tell stories about these experiences.

Upon his release in 1971, he took a job with United California Bank in Hollywood, California. This was a memorable time as his sister Lynn was living nearby in Beverly Hills. Two years later, he returned to Utah to work at Merrill Lynch where he excelled as a stockbroker. After a few years he changed career paths and joined Busch Corporation. This started his time as a real estate developer. His experiences at Busch soon inspired him to go out on his own. While doing land development, he purchased and managed 1,300 student apartments in Provo. In the early 2000s, Lonnie traveled weekly to Bakersfield, California where he had several large developments. Over his career, Lonnie developed thousands of lots in Utah and California. Lonnie always paid careful attention to details and was never afraid to dream big and put in the time to make it happen.

Throughout his life Lonnie loved ranching. He started Rocking O Ranch and prided himself in always having the very best cattle, whether it was Herefords, Salers, or Black Angus. In the 1980s, Lonnie even had thoroughbred racehorses. During his later years he developed a love for raising New Zealand rabbits and won a number of shows.

Lonnie and Rixa raised their six children in Springville and Mapleton. Lonnie was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent a lifetime serving in his local wards and treasured his ten years working in the Provo Temple.

Lonnie was a man of integrity. All who knew him recognized his honesty, generosity, and kindness. He was always looking for opportunities to help others and gave quietly and generously throughout his life. He spent countless hours coaching his children in various sports. Lonnie had an unparalleled work ethic that he instilled in his children. His family was his greatest treasure. They made wonderful memories with family vacations in Moon Lake, California, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, and many other places. He had a special relationship with all his children and grandchildren and made everyone feel loved and important.

He was proceeded in death by his son Dain Oman, his daughter Jenny Oman, and his sister Wilma Clark. Lonnie is survived by his wife Rixa Clyde Oman; his children Kerry (Dianne) Oman of Springville, Utah; Lora (Eric) Lund of São Paulo, Brazil; Jay (Deborah) Oman of Riverton, Utah; Spencer (Kathryn) Oman of Springville, Utah; and his 14 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Orlan and Lyle Oman and his sister Lynn Oman.

The family expresses their appreciation to his doctors, nurses, and neighbors for their love and service, and especially to his hospice nurse Lisa Marshall for her extraordinary care.

Funeral services will be on Friday, February 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the Eagle Rock Chapel located at 825 E. Hawks Rest Drive, Mapleton, Utah. A viewing will be held at the chapel on Thursday evening, February 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and prior to the service Friday, February 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment will be at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

For those unable to join us in person, you may view the Services HERE

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