Raymond Keith Udall, Jr.

Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to all, Raymond Keith Udall Jr. of St. Johns, Arizona, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, surrounded by those who loved him.

He was born on August 7, 1941, in Kanab, Utah to the late Raymond Keith Udall and Gwendolyn Vivian Pace Udall and was one of seven children in a close-knit and lively family. R.K. was a large baby with a larger-than-life personality and his childhood was filled with pranks, hard work and life-lessons that he carried into adulthood.

R.K. graduated from St. Johns High School in 1959, where he distinguished himself as both a dedicated student (having perfect attendance all 12 years of school) and a talented athlete. Shortly thereafter, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montevideo, Uruguay—an experience that deepened his faith and broadened his lifelong love of people and cultures. He went on to attend Northern Arizona University, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.

On August 15th, 1964, he married the love of his life, Sylvia Cowley. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and service, celebrating 62 years of marriage this year.

R.K. was a lifelong learner with a remarkable memory for names, stories, and jokes—traits that made him a beloved teacher, mentor, and friend. His passion for education took him to classrooms in Las Vegas, Nevada; the Gamboa Zone in Panama; McNary, St. Johns and Heber, Arizona; and Gilbert, Arizona, where he inspired generations of students with his humor, patience, and genuine care. In addition to his teaching career, he also worked for Salt River Project for many years, demonstrating the same diligence and integrity in every job he held.

Known for his quick wit and warm personality, R.K. had an unmatched sense of humor and a gift for storytelling that could brighten any room. He took great pride in his garden, finding joy and satisfaction in hard work and in tending the earth. Whether shoveling dirt, cultivating plants, or simply being outdoors, he embraced life with energy and purpose to the very end. Many people, especially widows, benefitted from his love of serving others as he took care of their yards for them.

He loved reading his scriptures and family history, treasuring both his faith and his heritage. He and Sylvia also shared a love of travel, especially long road trips—journeys where R.K. famously preferred to drive straight through, stopping only when absolutely necessary. Their shared devotion to service led them to serve a mission together in Santiago, Chile.

R.K. is survived by his devoted wife, Sylvia Cowley Udall, and their five children: Tyson King Udall; Trace Cowley Udall (Shelly); Mindy Udall; Rhett Cannon Udall (Susan); and Dustin Kent Udall (Amy). He was a proud grandfather to 13 grandchildren: Colton Udall (Emily), Taylor Udall, Marcus Udall, Madelyn Udall, Addison Udall, Cooper Udall (Rebecca), Emma Udall Weber (Ethan), Abbygaile Udall, Sundari Udall, Samuel Udall (Darcy), Caleah Udall, Mayli Udall, and Amila Udall; and a loving great-grandfather to three: Gatlin Udall, Adeline Udall, and Kip Udall.

He is also survived by his sisters, Karma Whiting and Kristin Bell, and his brother, Barry Udall.

A memorial will be held on Saturday May 30, 2026, beginning at high noon at 4629 E. Guadalupe Road Gilbert, AZ. All are welcome to come and eat enchiladas and share your favorite memory of R.K. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in R.K.’s name to Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona. https://sharingds.org/donate.

If you have a favorite memory or story about R.K. his family welcomes, you to email it to rksharememories@gmail.com.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.