Ross Dearden

HENEFER - Ross Lavelle Dearden, 93, passed away peacefully in Henefer October 22, 2013 of causes incident to age.

He was born April 28, 1920 to Wellington E. and Charlotte Taylor Dearden and grew up working on the family's sheep ranch. Although he enjoyed working with his family, his interests in clerical work and typing led him to college. The bombing of Pearl Harbor cut short his senior year at BYU. He told his roommates, "Looks like I'm in the Army." He reported to Fort Douglas on January 12, 1942 in the first selection group drafted from Summit County after the bombing. In the army his clerical skills were recognized and he was assigned to work in the office staff of the 42nd Coast Artillery Brigade. He served oversees on the island of Adak in the Aleutian Island chain and after the war returned to college to finish his degree.

He worked at the Devil's Slide Cement Plant for 30 years in the office as timekeeper and accountant. His typing and clerical skills were also used in his callings as assistant stake clerk and later as the Coalville Utah Stake clerk. He served in those capacities with two stake presidencies for 16 years. He also served as an officiator in the Ogden Temple.

In 1957 he met the love of his life, Shirley Barnett and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple 56 years ago on October 11, 1957. He was a loving father to their children Grant, Laurel and Eugene and took an active role in helping them in their lives.

In later years he enjoyed compiling his personal history and, in addition, the histories of close relatives. He enjoyed going on drives with his family particularly to the family property in Toone Canyon at Lost Creek.

He is survived by his wife Shirley and his children Grant (Sharon), Laurel (David) Hill, and Eugene (Ann), 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday October 25, 2013 at the Henefer Ward Chapel 708 N. Main Street, Henefer, Utah. A viewing will be held at the Henefer Ward building on Thursday October 24 from 6 to 8 pm and on Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 prior to the services. Burial will follow at the Henefer cemetery.