George Handy

George Brown Handy

August 26, 1921 – August 1, 2015

“He’s in God’s court now.”

Our dear and devoted father, husband, grandfather, uncle, and friend, George B. Handy, passed away at his home in Ogden of causes incident to his 93 years of age.

Dad was born in Rigby, Idaho, the fourth child of David E. Handy and Zina Eliza Brown. At the age of two, his family re-located to the Ogden area where he would spend the rest of his life. He remembered when ice was delivered by horse-drawn wagons and working as a shoeless “newsie” on the corner of 24 ^th and Washington. Later, he would practice law in a building on that same corner.

Dad’s beginnings were humble and times were tough but he and his five brothers and sisters would become educated and far surpass their parents in worldly achievement. He outlived his siblings by many years and looked forward to a grand reunion.

Educated in Ogden City Schools, Dad was a proud graduate of the second class in the new Ogden High School in 1939. He then enrolled at Weber Junior College, the old campus downtown.

In 1941, Dad was called as a missionary in the Northwestern States Mission. It was during his mission that he decided to become a lawyer because it was a profession where he could help people. His missionary experience helped him develop the engaging personality that captivated so many.

In 1944, he enrolled in law school at the University of Utah. In order to continue his studies, he joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity and became the houseboy because he could get free room and board. He later became chapter president.

While at the U., our dad met Mildred June Smith and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 31, 1950. They were married for 56 years before her passing. They forged a wonderful companionship and supported their children in every imaginable activity.

On June 28, 2012, he married Betty Jo Walker. She provided loving care and companionship to him during their time together.  They enjoyed singing songs to each other like “Lollipops and Roses” and “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie”.  They also looked forward to an ice cream cone at Farr’s and a hotdog and shake at Kirt’s Family Drive-in.  They thoroughly enjoyed being with each other and caring for one another.

Dad practiced law for 61 years retiring at age 89! He distinguished himself in every facet of the profession. He was proud to be considered “A Lawyer’s Lawyer.” He was President of the Weber County Bar in 1981 and received their Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, at the age of 83, he was named Utah’s Distinguished Lawyer of the Year. He was well-known for his sense of style and touched many lives for good.

Dad donated countless hours of legal service without expectation of pay. At times, he took in produce, beef, horses and tack, firearms, and almost anything else as payment.

Dad served on numerous boards and committees throughout his life including the Utah Board of Corrections as Vice Chairman from 1957 to 1973. It was his idea to bring an endurance horse race to the Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration and he later served as Chairman in 1975-76. He and June were named Grand Marshalls in 1987.

He served as Bishop of the Highland Ward, a High Councilor in the Ogden East Stake along with many other callings. He was a student of the Gospel and loved teaching it. He had a deep and abiding testimony.

From his father, Dad inherited a sharp eye for a good horse. Many fun and exciting memories were created at the Handy Farm in Liberty, Utah.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo, and his six children: Stephen (Holly) Layton; Susan (Kirk) Sanders, Maple Grove, MN; Mark, Salt Lake City; Elaine Reintjes, Ogden; Anne (Raymond) Jones, Centerville, and Preston, Salt Lake City. He loved his children and adored his 22 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment next to his dear wife, June, at the Ben Lomond Cemetery.

"I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."