Eldin Eugene Simpson

Eldin Eugene Simpson, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, returned to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 25, 2013.

He was born August 4, 1924 in Hooper, Utah to Francis Valentine and Fawn Belnap Simpson. Eldin had a great love for his country. After graduating from Weber High School, he volunteered and served honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was trained as an armored car radio operator and served in A Troop with the Fourth Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. Serving on the front lines in the Normandy France invasion, he landed on Utah Beach the day after D Day. He was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart.

He married his sweetheart, Josephine Jackman, in the Logan LDS Temple on August 2, 1946. They remained sweethearts throughout their 67 years of marriage. They especially enjoyed dancing to the music of the Big Band era.

Eldin was a licensed barber and had many loyal customers. Highly skilled as a carpenter, he helped build homes and businesses. He was a craftsman who could make or fix anything. He built two homes for his family, including the masonry work. He designed and built two campers in which his family toured the United States and enjoyed many fun vacations.

Eldin drove a Weber County school bus for 31 years. His friendly, outgoing personality reached out to every young student. As the custodian of the Hooper 2nd Ward building for ten years, he felt it a privilege to take care of the Lord''s house and grounds.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as: Home Teacher, Finance Clerk, Elders Quorum Secretary, Ward Sunday School Superintendent and counselor, Stake Sunday School counselor, and High Priest Group Leader. Eldin and Josephine served missions at the Nauvoo ILL Visitors Center and as ordinance workers for 13 years in the Ogden Temple.

He loved his family and was a kind, caring father and grandfather. Eldin was a friend to everyone and was grateful for all his old school chums, barbering customers, school bus students, the "Gang," Nauvoo missionaries, Ogden Temple friends, ward members and neighbors.

Eldin and Josephine have five children: Wayne Simpson (deceased), Kathleen (Kim) Gooch, Linda (Gene) Atkinson, Sharon (Eric) Garner, and Roger Simpson. They have 14 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. He is survived by brothers, Jay and Max, and a sister, Beth Roundy.

He was preceded in death by a dear granddaughter, Amy Gooch, his parents, and a brother, Earl.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 30 at 11 a.m. at the Hooper 2nd Ward, 5000 South 5900 West.

The family will meet with friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Hooper Cemetery, where Military Honors will be accorded.