James Richard "Dick" Gum

On February 7, 2025 a great and gentle man took his final flight with the angels; proud and humble of his service to our country with the United States Air Force saving many lives and tracking many pilots; honored with the Ambassador of Peace medal for his service in the Korean War, after enlisting at 17 (his parents having to sign his enlisting papers) with 3 of his best High School buddies (Bill Smith, Bob Flanders, and Fred Hoover). Dick was the last of the friends to pass. 

Kind and generous beyond measure, as well as quick witted and remarkably tough, with all these qualities battled and overcame heart issues, diabetes, bladder cancer; also, breaking all his ribs, puncturing a lung, and fracturing his spine, the last 3 occurring on vacation in Italy at the age of 92. 

Born on January 5, 1931, son of Horace Lee and Mabel Nettie Gum, Dick follows his 3 sisters and 1 brother Ruth Ellice Gum, Mary Elvira Gum, Jack Lee Gum, and Betty Jean Gum, his first love and wife Pauline Kay Blackmon Gum, second wife Ritta Charmaine Blue, adopted daughter Cynthia Gum, stepson Jody Jolley and Fifi in their passing. 

Survived by 2 sons from his first marriage James (Jim) Gum and Lesley Gum, adopted daughters from his second marriage Susan, Joy, and Amy, current love Audrey Foote Gum and stepdaughters Kari Jolley and Missy Jolley; also survived by grandchildren Alan, Shauna, Austin, Sheldon, Treasure, Alexandra, Jaida, Marcus, Mason, Zoey, Brittney, Brandon, Mickie, Secelia, Jude, Jesse, Oliver, Sasha, Brianna and 17 great grandchildren. 

A celebration of life will be held at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park Chapel, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale UT 84065 on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, at 11:00 am. 

Graveside service will be held outside following the service provided by the Air Force Post 41 (Riverton) and the American Legion. We will not be able to provide the niche number until the date of service. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate 

Dick loved his family fiercely and completely as well as his country. He believed in fairness, acceptance, kindness, and forgiveness. He loved to travel, Italy his favorite, especially Assisi, being a tender and spiritual place to him, historic, reverent, and romantic. He loved to experience family and food. 

He was asked what his greatest moments of empowerment were, and these were his answers: 

“1. Graduating high school at 17, enlisting in Air Force, advancement in rank from Buck Private to Staff Sergeant in four years’ time, and serving with honor. 

2. Following discharge from Air Force, marriage and entering workforce starting out as Crew Caller with Union Pacific Railroad supporting a wife and two children and advancing to position of Assistant Director of Labor Relations over my 36 years of employment. 

3. Admiring Audrey from afar for many years, falling in love and now being together for more than thirty years with the addition of three loving and accepting children in my life. 

There are many more but looking back, these are the ones that were and still are the most important in my life. “ 

Dick/husband/dad/grandpa was a man of integrity, humanity, extreme kindness, and one of the greatest gentlemen we have ever known. His legacy will live on through all of us … forever.