Ron Wiser

Ron Gordon Wiser, 68, passed away peacefully in his Albuquerque, NM home surrounded by his family on December 6, 2024 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on September 14, 1956 in Glendale, CA to James Gordon and Eva Lou (Blair) Wiser. Ron was the first of three children, and moved around the country in his childhood. As a teenager, Ron became an avid genealogist and pianist. Throughout his life, he was able to hone those talents and bless others with them. He wrote and distributed a monthly-genealogical newsletter to hundreds of close and distant relatives for almost 30 years. He would often gift summaries of an individual's family history to them after hours of hard work. As a pianist, he volunteered to play at weddings, funerals, church conferences, and in local church services.

Ron graduated from Logan High School in Utah in 1974. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Arizona-Holbrook (Navajo-speaking) mission from 1975-1977. As a missionary, he developed a deep love for the Navajo people and language. After graduating from Utah State University with a B.A. in Accounting and a MBA in 1981, Ron started his career as a CPA for Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was in his role at the firm that Ron first met his future-wife, Cynthia Marie Shupe. They were married on June 6, 1986 in the Mesa Arizona LDS temple.

Ron and Cindy were the parents of three boys: Joshua (JT), Logan, and Andrew. As a family, they lived in Belen and Las Cruces before eventually moving to Roswell, New Mexico in 1995, where Ron worked as President and CEO of Bank of the Southwest. Ron loved his job, employers, and employees at Bank of the Southwest. He worked there for almost 30 years. Ron also served as a board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas from 2010-2022. He served for many years as the chair of the audit committee.

In his time in Roswell, Ron became a staple of the community and served on several local charities and business boards in the community. He was president of the local Rotary Club, president of Chaves County United Way, treasurer of the Roswell Library Foundation, president of the New Mexico Bankers Association, member of the Community Bankers Council of the American Bankers Association, and was president of the Boy Scouts Conquistador Council. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts of America, the highest award that can be given by a local council to a volunteer. Ron was generous and welcoming; he opened his home to several foreign exchange students and LDS missionaries.

Ron and Cindy had a loving marriage. Arguments were very infrequent, and never lasted longer than a few minutes. They travelled, served in the church, and watched TV and movies together. Ron was a wonderful father. He enjoyed playing board and trivia games with his children and watching them play sports. Ron always strived to bring them along in his business travels throughout his career, and he was able to travel to Europe with each of his children individually. Ron cherished being a grandfather. He loved playing with his grandkids, buying them presents, and singing to and holding them as babies.

Ron was loyal and kind to all those who he met. He was always aware and considerate of his friends and family's struggles. He aimed to bless the lives of all those he met. He didn't hold grudges and avoided conflict. He didn't enjoy attention but loved getting to know others. He would always talk to whomever he sat next to on an airplane.

Ron was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for his entire life. He served as a Stake President, secretary to the Area Seventy, Bishop, seminary teacher, Sunday School teacher, Nursery leader, Family History service missionary, and many other callings. In the church, Ron was known for his deep love of the lost and forgotten individuals in the area. He spent hours visiting families with the missionaries and serving and blessing the lives of widows and elderly sisters who needed assistance. As a Stake President, Ron served in one of the largest geographical stakes in the continental United States; he drove thousands of miles a year visiting and serving members and local congregations across south-eastern New Mexico and west Texas. Ron and Cindy moved back to Albuquerque in 2022. Ron continued his genealogical research, volunteered in the Albuquerque LDS temple, and served in his church congregation.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years Cindy; brother, Bob (Bev); sister, Shelly; children, JT (Sara), Logan (Michaela), and Andrew (Kielee); adored grandchildren Lucy, June, Annie, Lincoln, Maxwell, Mia, Millie, and Holly; parents-in-law, Bill and Patricia (Thompson) Shupe; dear friend of the family, Kathy Mickelson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents James Gordon and Eva Lou (Blair).

A memorial service for Ron has been held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 8130 Sage Road SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico. A private, family burial ceremony has taken place in Luna, New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to:

The Ron G. Wiser School of Business Scholarship at Utah State University. Donations may be made online at: www.usu.edu/ronwiser

Or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid Fund. Donations may be made online at: https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/