Gordon Kay Livingston, 84, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, at home in Mason, Ohio. He was born on October 12, 1938 in Provo, Utah to Gordon W. and Eulalia Livingston and grew up in Springville, Utah with his parents and five siblings. As a teenager, he joined the U.S. Forest Service and spent summers working as a smokejumper. He completed 49 jumps during his service and treasured his experiences. Gordon attended Utah State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in forestry in 1960. He continued his studies at Oregon State University, completing his master's degree in forest management in 1964. He set aside his academic pursuits for a time and served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission. Afterward, he returned to school and earned his PhD in forest genetics from the University of Washington in 1969. Gordon completed his post-doctoral studies in the Netherlands and worked in academia as a researcher and instructor for many years, first at the University of Utah and then at the University of Cincinnati. The highlight of his career came when he was employed at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he headed the Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory. Over the course of his career, Gordon published over 100 journal articles. He was blessed to work with many wonderful colleagues and enjoyed the friendships he made throughout his long career.

While working on his PhD in Seattle, Gordon met the love of his life, LaNeal Anderson. They were married on July 11, 1969 in the Salt Lake City temple and enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Together they had four sons and made their home in many places, including Seattle, Washington, the Netherlands, Sandy, Utah, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Gordon's greatest joy in life was his family. He loved and served LaNeal over the course of their marriage and was particularly devoted and dutiful through the years as she struggled with Parkinson's Disease. He commented that becoming a father was the "best thing that ever happened to me." He adored his four sons and cherished his 10 grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as "Papa Kay."

Gordon loved gardening and has instilled that love in his children and grandchildren, all of whom have had the pleasure of spending many hours in the garden with him. Some of his most cherished memories came from working and spending time with his grandchildren at the family farm.

Gordon's faith in Jesus Christ was at the heart of who he was. He served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many capacities throughout his life, including as a Boy Scout leader, youth leader, gospel doctrine instructor, counselor in multiple bishoprics, and high councilor. He was a friend to all who knew him and was known for striking up conversations with strangers. He set an example for his family of humble service and devotion to duty.

He is survived by his beloved wife, LaNeal, and three sons, Brandon (Jen) of Mason, Ohio; Kyle (Anne) of Maineville, Ohio; and Brett (Kate) of Indianapolis, Indiana; as well as his siblings, Camille (Robert) Whitehead, Robert (Gloria) Livingston, Steven (Jan) Livingston, Billy (Linda) Livingston, and Allan (Debbie) Livingston. He is preceded in death by his parents, three nieces, two nephews, and his son, Mason McKay Livingston.

Friends and family will be received at a viewing on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00p at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home (129 N. Riverside Drive, Loveland, OH 45140). On Saturday, April 15, a viewing will be held at 12p prior to a 1p funeral service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (8250 Cornell Road, Montgomery, OH 45249). Interment will be at Springville Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah. Please click to join the services live or One tap mobile :

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In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gordon may be directed to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research , P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 or Cure Alzheimer's Fund , 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.