Dolfo Duran Baltazar

Dolfo Duran Baltazar passed away on May 10, 2024. We feel joy in knowing he and his wife are together again, especially since it was Shirley’s birthday! He was born in Park City, Utah to Pablo and Inez Baltazar. His parents were immigrants from Mexico and worked hard to give their family a good life. He learned his amazing work ethic from his parents, which he passed on to his family. He was from a family of nine children. He was always close to his siblings and their families. The Baltazar family later moved to Corinne, Utah, where he enjoyed his early years.

A sweet story he told about his dad was that even though they were poor, his dad would give them a quarter so they could go to town and get an ice cream and go to a movie. Dad had a special place in his heart for his mother. He recalls that she would make dozens of tortillas every morning and they would eat as many as she would make! He remembers they did not have indoor plumbing at their home and how cold it was in the winter to get water and use the facilities! He also said he really liked going to school back then because the school had running water, flushing toilets and it was warm!

As a young man he enjoyed sports, especially baseball. He attended Box Elder County Schools up until the 11th Grade. He said he quit school to go to work and his older sister was his boss and she made him work extremely hard! They topped beets for the local farmers, and he said his hands would get so sore.

Dolfo joined the army to serve in World War II from August of 1944 to July of 1946. He served in Germany and was always proud to serve his country. His son, Paul, later accompanied him on a Utah Honor Flight for WWII Veterans in May of 2015.  He enjoyed this and said the trip wasn’t long enough. The respect he felt from the people he met on the Honor Flight really touched him.

After he returned from the war he began his career at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah as an aircraft mechanic. It is there that he met Shirley Ann Hess. He said he saw her and just decided he needed to take her to dinner. So, he asked, she said yes and that began their life together. They were married on March 14, 1953, in Elko, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden Utah LDS Temple. They had 59 wonderful years together.

Dolfo worked extra jobs while he worked at HAFB. He worked in construction at Edmond Construction and after retirement he worked with the Head Start program as an assistant on the buses. He loved being with those children.

Dolfo and Shirley had three children, Paul (Joy) Baltazar, Cheryl (Raul) Romero and Jeff (Norma Jean) Baltazar. He was a supportive and involved dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. He has probably attended more games, performances, concerts, and family activities than anyone we know. He coached teams when his kids were younger, he attended his grandkids and great-grandkids sporting events, dance recitals, graduations, and whatever else they were involved in. Some things they could always rely on was his sweet smile, his love, a can of pop or an ice cream sandwich!

Dolfo was active in his LDS Ward and Stake. He served with love and humility in every calling he had. For years he attended the temple on a weekly basis. He enjoyed yardwork and kept a meticulous lawn and house. He and Shirley loved their family and we all felt that love. His nephews and nieces hold a special place in their hearts for their sweet Uncle Dolfo and he loved them right back! The Baltazar family and extended family will always feel the influence and love he showed them throughout his life.

After Shirley passed, in 2012, he sold their home. Cheryl and Raul along with Jeff and Norma Jean had the privilege of caring for him in their homes. He was so pleasant and kind. One thing we could always count on was watching the Utah Jazz, no matter how poorly they played. Raul would take him to the Ogden Raptors game regularly where he could cheer on the Raptors with his lifelong friend, Dolfo Mendez. Our families were blessed to have Dad with us. It’s not often that you have four generations of a family together regularly.

We recently celebrated his 100^th Birthday with family and friends which we all enjoyed so much and which was a testament to how loved and respected he was. He couldn’t understand why so many people wanted to honor him! He said he wished he was able to talk more to everyone who came! We love him and have been touched by his generous spirit and kind soul. We, as a family, can safely say Dad was loved and respected by all who knew him. We love you Dad, Grandpa, Grandpa Great and Uncle Dolfo!

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.

A luncheon will follow at the Rosehill Ward LDS Church, 4150 West Old Highway Rd. Mountain Green, UT.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Dolfo’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared.