Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

 

~ Helen Keller

L. DEE STEVENSON 

L. Dee Stevenson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021 due to complications from surgery. 

Dee was born November 1, 1941 in Payson, Utah. He was the son of Floyd Cyril Stevenson and Ora Brimhall Stevenson, and the last of five children. 

Dee was raised in Payson, Utah, and graduated from Payson High School in 1960. He attended Brigham Young University and received a bachelor’s degree in Education. He met the love of his life, Julie Cheever Stevenson, and they were married on October 6, 1971. They were later sealed for time and eternity in the Manti LDS Temple. Dee was a selfless person and was always looking for ways to help other people. He never expected anything in return. He spent many years taking care of his beloved wife, who was suffering from chronic health problems. He was the definition of true love. He cared for his children and grandchildren, spending many hours of quality time, helping with homework, and teaching life lessons. He was a hard working father who held multiple jobs at one time. Dee still made time for his family, a trait he passed on to his own children. 

Dee served his country honorably with the 25th Infantry Division near Cu Chi in Vietnam as a machine gunner, radio dispatcher, and the Military Police. He received many awards for his service during Vietnam, and was proud to have served his country. 

Dee was employed by Nebo School District as a teacher for over 37 years. He received many accolades during his teaching career. He was selected as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America, Outstanding Teacher in American Education, as well as receiving the The Crystal Apple Award. He served as an officer of the Nebo Teachers Association and was a Teacher Leader in the Nebo School District for many years. 

Dee had a passion for history. He spent countless hours researching Payson history, people, culture, and the surrounding areas. He wrote a weekly history article for the Payson Chronicle, and authored four books on the history of Payson. He was recently awarded the 2020 Clarence Dixon Taylor Historical Research Award from BYU. Dee also served as President of the People Preserving Peteetneet (PPP), and was on the Board of Trustees for the Payson Historical Society. He had the honor to be on the A&E series, Ghost Hunters for his knowledge on the Black Hawk War and Chief Peteetneet. 

He had a love for vintage cars. When Dee was younger, he loved to buy cars and restore them to their original glory. As he got older, his children were astounded by his knowledge of the old cars. He loved to show them in the car shows and talk shop with other car enthusiasts. 

Dee is survived by his five children: Andrea Eliason (Jeff), Lehi, UT; Clark Stevenson, Payson, UT; Patrick Stevenson (Julie), Raleigh, NC; Spencer Stevenson (Teresa), Payson, UT; Corrie Stevenson, Payson, UT. He has seven grandchildren: Abbey and Emrey Eliason; Ethan, Yates and Mercedes Stevenson; Zoe and Peyton Stevenson. He is also survived by his sister Carol Laycock. He was preceded in death by his wife, Julie Stevenson, his parents, and his three brothers: Dale, Jim, and Bill.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 1, from 5:00-8:30 PM at the Peteetneet Museum, 10 North 600 East, Payson, UT, and Friday, July 2, from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM at the Payson Utah South Stake Center, 711 South 600 East, Payson, UT. Service will follow at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at the Payson City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Utah Valley Mortuary.

 

Funeral Services are being live-streamed from the link below. Visitors will need to find “Stevenson Funeral Services” in the list and enter their name to view. 

http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/Events/paysonutahsouthstake 

Our family would like to thank all of Dee’s family and friends, especially those at Peteetneet Museum, for their friendships throughout the years with Dee. He loved working with all of the great people involved in the operation of Peteetneet. Dee once stated, “without each and every one of them, it would be impossible to operate and maintain the Museum and Cultural Arts Center.” He felt Peteetneet Museum was the “showpiece” of Payson and it represented the city well. 

Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.

 

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

 

~ Helen Keller

Douglas Gordon Thomas

Douglas Gordon Thomas, 92, died June 26, 2021 at his home in Genola, Utah where he always wanted to be. He was number 7 of 11 children born November 14, 1928 to Grace Rebecca Hartvigsen and David Bynon Thomas. He married his high school sweetheart Lucille Throckmorton on November 24, 1947. They were both born and lived all of their lives in Genola raising their 7 children and for 8 years their Navajo daughter Patricia Kenneth.

Douglas attended Goshen Elementary and Payson High School. At the time of his death, he was still enrolled in the school of Hard Knocks. He loved and played baseball and basketball in high school. His church basketball team went on to win the All Church championship. He was the regional athletic director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years. He and Lucille served as church regional dance directors for years, attending the annual June Conference held in Salt Lake City. He gave a lifetime of service to his family, community, and church.

Doug and Lucille loved working at the Provo temple. From 1994 to 1995 they served the people in the Billings, Montana Mission, especially the Fort Washakie Region. He never missed an opportunity to share his testimony and faithfully attend church meetings. He worked 20+ years in the mining and gunite industry while running his farm. Farming brought him so much joy and satisfaction. He dedicated his life to hard work, farming, cows and his critters. His work ethic greatly blessed the lives of their 7 children, 42 grandchildren, and 67 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his children; Dianna (Ed Creer), Gordon, Philip (Janeen), Dallen (Diana), Lucinda, Darrell (Christine), Chad, and Patricia Kenneth Castillo. He is also survived by one sister of 11 siblings, Peggy Hunt.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 12:00 pm at the Genola Ward Chapel, 50 N Main Street. The family will visit with friends Friday, July 2nd from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Genola Ward Building and again Saturday from 10:30-11:45 am. Interment will be at the Genola Cemetery.

The family expresses their appreciation for the tender care and love given by ICare Home Health, Burt, and especially his beloved Bonnie.

Payson High School Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni

 

Pictured: Robert Wallace McMullin, orchard founder and Payson City attorney, was inducted into the Payson High School Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni in 2003. Read more on the PHS website at https://phs.nebo.edu 

Payson High School Hall Of Fame Organizers Need Help Filling Inductee Information Gaps

Payson High School needs some help from the community. Every year PHS inducts new individuals into their Hall of Fame. Categories include individual athletes, coaches, teams, and distinguished alumni in various other fields. PHS is desperately looking for missing information about the following people who were inducted into the hall of fame in past years. If you, the reader, have any  information about any of these people, or if you know someone who could get this information, please contact Dr. David Rockwood at PHS (david.rockwood@nebo.edu):

 

J. Boyd Page (class of 1932?), noted scientist and university vice president

Russell Hillman (class of 1946), Payson mayor

Robert Finch (class of 1943), educator

Myrl Anderson (class of 1947), educator

Richard Harmer (class of 1948), educator

Dr. Barbara Hillman West (class of ?)

Jack Etherington (class of ?)

Max Nelson (class of ?)

The 1917 Track & Field team (1st in state)

The 1934 Track & Field team (1st in state)

 

In addition, the following people have been nominated to possibly be inducted into the hall of fame, but we have very little information about them. Please contact Dr. David Rockwood if you have any information about them or know someone who does:

 

Kent Oborn (class of 1963?), All-American football player

Clark C. Bigler (class of 1943) former owner of the Payson Chronicle

Jay Jolley (class of ?) world-renowned ballet dancer

Blake Sudweeks (class of ?) “top gun” pilot

Chelsey Peterson (class of ?) General in the U.S. Army

 

The Payson High School Hall of Fame can be viewed online at the school’s website https://phs.nebo.edu and on plaques in the hallways of the school. 

FOR THE LOVE of SPORTS

Payson Band Concerts Kick Off July 4

 

July 4 will bring two occasions for celebration in Payson this summer: The 2021 Independence Day holiday and the season’s first Payson Band Concert in Memorial Park.

Head to the bandstand by 8 PM, Sunday, July 4, when the music is set to begin.

Memorial Park is located at 250 South Main Street.

* * *

Lovers of good music check out MUSICOPHILIA.

Name That Chain: Pizza Time

 

It's pizza time in The Payson Chronicle office and we're playing Name That Chain. Can you tell us where we got this pie?  Leave your answer on our posts on Instagram and Facebook.

#pizzatime #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle 

Santaquin Macey’s Celebrates One Year In Business As City’s Largest Grocery Store

 

Santaquin’s largest grocery store in history hit a milestone this month.  Macey’s grocery store,

located off the I-15/Main Street interchange, observed its one year anniversary.

The store marked the occasion in celebration, with anniversary cake gratis and lunch on Saturday,

June 19.

Anniversary cake was served inside, out of the heat, by Isaac Webster, who has been an employee

at Santaquin Macey’s since February.  A steady line formed outside a food truck where store

employees sold hot dogs grilled on site, chips, and ice cold soda, all for a dollar. 

Discover mementos from the BEEHIVE STATE HERE.

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

 

~ Helen Keller

Lillian Daley O’Hara

Lillian Daley O’Hara, age 84 passed away peacefully at home from complications which accompany living a long life and reaching “old age.”

Mom grew up on a farm in Payson, Utah with her parents Robert & Rosella Daley and 5 siblings. As a Great Depression-era baby Mom was raised to make the most of what she had. That was a lesson she kept with her throughout her life. She rarely let anything go to waste. She learned to sew at a young age and would even repurpose fabric flour sacks, using them to make clothing! She grew to be an extremely gifted seamstress. Her seams were so “finished” you could wear the clothes inside out. Mom was amazing with all needle arts, especially crocheting and knitting. She painted the most beautiful, detailed ceramics you’ve ever seen.

She married John Jacobson of Santaquin, UT in 1953. They moved to Southern California in 1957 where they raised their four children: Christine, Lillian, Randy & Robert. John & Lillian divorced in 1966. She married Donald O’Hara in 1967. Don brought two boys to their family, Michael & John O’Hara. They moved back to Utah in 1971 and shortly thereafter added Donna and Donald II to their family.

Our Mom was an incredibly hard worker. She was a ceramicist and owned her own studio. At the age of 59, Mom returned to school and earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration. When most people are preparing to retire, she entered the work force as an Administrative Assistant for the University of Utah working in the area of Campus Design and Construction. She retired after almost 12 years. Our Mom was a perfectionist in everything she did. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. So talented! She was a devout, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in numerous callings.

Our Mom was a prolific reader and enjoyed books of all genres. She also loved the Hallmark channel, going to the movies, looked forward to her monthly sibling’s lunches and before her little body became too broken from working too hard for too long she loved to travel. She traveled all over the U.S. and throughout several countries in Western Europe.

She was a loving, gentle and forgiving soul who graciously greeted her guests with a smile and kind, loving words, always. Even during her final exhausting days on earth, she managed to receive her parade of visitors with grace and love. She is a beloved mother, grand mother and great grandmother who always smelled good, was so soft to touch and was always sure to say, “Sure do love you, sweetheart.” when it was time to say goodbye.

Mom is survived by a large posterity. Her children: Christine (Boyd) Holliman of Salem; Randy (Deanna) O’Hara of Salem; Robert (Kathy) O’Hara of Riverton; Michael O’Hara & John O’Hara; Donna Wilcox of Salem; Donald (Hailey) O’Hara of Santaquin.

29 Grandchildren

20 Great-grandchildren

3 Siblings, Robert Daley, Joseph Daley and Janet Paxman

She was preceded in death by her daughter Lillian Anderson in 1972 - what a joyous reunion it must have been for our two Lillys to finally be together again! Her parents, husband Don O’Hara, a daughter-in-law, Vickie O’Hara, and brothers, James and John Daley.

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

 

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

 

~ Helen Keller

 

LOIS WRIGHT

Lois Jean Sutherland Wright of Payson, Utah, was reunited with her husband, sister, and parents during the early morning hours of Thursday, June 10, 2021. Lois passed away peacefully in her family home that she loved so very much.

Lois was born in Eureka, Utah, on July 5, 1932, to Roscoe Bliss Sutherland and Roma Boyle Sutherland. When Lois was 14 years old, her family moved from Eureka to Payson, Utah. Shortly after moving to Payson, Lois, and her sister  Erma, went to Payson Memorial Park with their uncle, Officer Dick Chappell.  Her future husband, Blaine Wright, saw Lois get out of the car and told his friends “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.”

Lois attended Payson High School. At that time, she was employed by Bradshaw Auto Parts in Payson as a parts clerk. She was very adept at finding and ordering parts for customers. After some prompting by friends and family, Lois participated in the Payson Onion Days Queen Pageant and became one of the attendants in the Onion Days Royalty.  On December 15, 1950, Lois married her high school sweetheart, Blaine Lamar Wright. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple located in Manti, Utah.

Soon after their marriage, Blaine joined the U.S. Air Force, and was assigned to Williams Air Force Base. During this time, they lived in Chandler, Arizona, and welcomed William R. (Bill) Wright and Christine Wright Olson to the family.  At the completion of Blaine’s service, they bought the family home in Payson from Blaine’s mother. Here they were blessed with two more children, Diana Wright Peterson and David Blaine Wright.

Not only was Lois a wonderful wife and mother, she also enjoyed serving the community around her. Many knew her as the Junior Librarian at the Payson City Library, where she worked for 18 years. She also supported her husband while he was a Payson City Volunteer Firefighter as part of the Women’s Firefighter Auxiliary. Later in her life, she enjoyed celebrating her pioneer heritage as she participated in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers organization.

Lois was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended the Park Ward (the Green Church) for many years. Lois had many opportunities to serve the Lord serving as a Relief Society Counselor, Relief Society President, as well as a Primary Teacher. With her husband, Blaine, she served as the Chairman of the Park Ward Salmon Supper for two years. Blaine and Lois were also tour guides at the old Provo Tabernacle which is now the Provo City Center Temple. Continuing her church service, Lois was a temple worker in the Provo Temple (located on the East bench of Provo City) for eight years.

Lois was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Blaine Wright; her sister, Erma Buys; her mother, Roma Boyle Sutherland; her father, Roscoe Bliss Sutherland; and her great-grandchild, Hudson Matt Koyle.

Lois is survived by her children: Bill Wright (Margaret), Chris Olson (Brad), Diana Peterson (Max), and David Wright, 10 grandchildren, as well as 27 great grandchildren.

A special thanks to the ICU staff and doctors at Mtn View Hospital and to the I Care Hospice staff for the wonderful care given to our Mother.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday evening, June 14, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West in Payson.  Another viewing for family and friends will be held at the Payson Park LDS Ward meeting house, located across from Memorial Park, at 274 South Main, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning, June 15. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Interment will be in the Payson City Cemetery.

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

 

~ Helen Keller

Laura Louise Wall

Laura Louise Wall, 58, passed away after a brief illness on June 2, 2021. She was born on February 7, 1963, to Verl and Rose Wall.

Laura worked at Mountain Country Foods for 14+ years and American Stores for over 20 years as a cabinet maker. She made many long-lasting friendships along the way.

Laura enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, watching her Broncos play, and spending time with her friends and family. She loved to make people laugh. Lately she has really enjoyed gardening. Every day she would walk around the yard and check her plants. She would get so excited to see new flowers and to see how her vegetables were growing. She also enjoyed feeding the birds in the backyard and trying to see how many different ones we could identify.

She is survived by her loving companion Teri Sperry; her father Verl Wall; her brother Joe (Connie) Wall and their family, niece Tracy (Aaron), great-nephews Atley, Bowen, and Grady, nephew Jeremy (Melissa), great-nephews Skylar and Tristen, great-niece MaKayla, and nephew Kyler Wall; her sister Rose (Dennis) Larsen and their family, nephews Bryce, Kyle, and Derrick (Taylor), and great-nephews Tayte and Max; her brother Robert (Laura) Wall and their family, niece Kelbie (john), great-niece Harper, nephew Cody (Hillary), great-niece Addilynn; and her extended family: sisters Jennifer Alvey, Stacy Sperry, and Jann Sperry, nephews Kenny and Kody, nieces Cassadie, Hannah, and Tayler, great-nieces Elle, Pieper, and Macee, and great-nephew (her shadow) Ryker.

She is preceded in death by her mother Rose Marie Wall, Brent and Sharon Sperry, and Brother David Sperry.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Laura on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah.