Gideon Leavitt Rowles, known simply as Gideon, passed from this life on June 6, 2026, at Bear Lake, in Garden City, Utah, after a drowning accident. He was born on March 1, 2009, in Shumway, Arizona, and in his brief but meaningful life he became a bright witness of kindness, faith, and joy to all who knew him.

Gideon was a beloved son of Daniel and RaNae (Wheeler) Rowles  and a cherished brother to Jared (Rebekah Memmott), Eric, Samuel, Susannah, Emery, Jesse, Michael, Christian, and Daniel Ezekiel, and uncle to Enoch and Shiloh. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ronald Rowles (Afton (Bowen) Rowles). His family was the center of his world, and he lived with a deep sense of loyalty, affection, and responsibility toward them. He was the kind of young man who made others feel seen, valued, and encouraged, and he carried himself with a spirit that reflected the love of Christ in simple and sincere ways.

He was set to begin his senior year of high school and was pursuing his education with determination and purpose. Gideon was enrolled in an online high school program with Freedom Prep Academy and was also enrolled in the Automotive Tech program with Northland Pioneer College, where he had already completed one year. He approached learning with curiosity and discipline, understanding that growth is not only found in classrooms, but also in the steady choice to prepare for the future with faithfulness and humility.

Gideon had also begun working as an apprentice piano technician with his brother Jared, and he had completed the first bout of training needed to qualify him for his own piano tuning appointments. This work suited his careful mind and his willingness to learn by doing. He was becoming a young man who could be trusted with both skill and character, and he valued honest labor, craftsmanship, and the quiet satisfaction of doing a job well. In all of this, he showed that diligence is a form of worship when it is offered with a willing heart.

Those who knew Gideon will remember his selfless nature, his generosity, and his sense of humor. He had a gift for making people laugh and for bringing light into ordinary moments. He was funny in the kind of way that made a room feel lighter, and he gave of himself freely without needing attention or praise. His life reminded others that greatness is often found in small acts of love, in thoughtful words, in patience, and in the courage to be kind when it would be easier not to be.

Gideon also enjoyed the challenges and creativity found in Rubik’s cubes, yo-yo tricks, and cardistry, the art of shuffling cards in many fancy ways. He had started learning guitar, clogging, and locksmithing, and each of these interests reflected his eagerness to explore, improve, and create. He was the sort of young man who did not simply sit still in life. He leaned into it with energy and wonder, willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to keep going when something was difficult. His curiosity was a gift, and it revealed a mind alive with possibility.

Gideon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, and his faith mattered deeply in the way he lived. He was not perfect, as none of us are, but he sought to walk in the light he had been given. His life stands as a reminder that even a short earthly journey can be filled with eternal meaning when it is lived with faith, love, and a willing spirit. The Christian hope is not that death has the final word, but that God does. As Romans 8:38-39 reminds us, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. That promise gives comfort to grieving hearts and strength to those who remain.

In times such as these, we are reminded to hold tightly to what is good, true, and lasting. Gideon’s life encourages us to love our families well, to work with integrity, to laugh often, and to live with heaven in view. He leaves behind a testimony that says a life does not need to be long to be meaningful. It needs to be surrendered, sincere, and filled with love. As C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” Gideon’s life pointed upward, and in that upward gaze, he blessed those around him.

He is deeply missed by his parents, his brothers and sisters, and all who were touched by his warmth, his humor, and his gentle strength. Though his time here was far too short, the impact of his life will continue to echo in the hearts of those who loved him. May his memory inspire us to live with gratitude, to serve one another faithfully, and to trust the God who holds every tear, every sorrow, and every hope.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the LDS church located at 309 W Willow Lane, Taylor, AZ. Gideon's final resting place will be in the Shumway Cemetery. 

If you are unable to be there in person, there will be a live stream here https://www.youtube.com/live/4aHdtUnS5lI?is=tB_azzIX6Sv9L3ty