Joseph Backman

Joseph W. Backman

Bountiful/Ogden a€" Joseph W. Backman, 95, passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2009. He was born June 25, 1913 in SLC, Utah, the son of Joseph William and Katherine Ryan Backman. He received his early education at Jackson Jr. High School and West High School. He then graduated from the University of Utah with a BS degree and with a high school teaching diploma in both Economics and Theater Arts. On campus he was a member of Blue Key, the student government board and Theta Alpha Phi, a national dramatic fraternity.

Following graduation, he was employed by Daynes Jewelry and Optical Company. He married Helen Moffat Lawrence in the Salt Lake Temple on May 4, 1938. They later moved to Los Angeles where he was a sales rep for the May Diamond Co. During the war years, they lived in Ontario, California where he worked as a warehouse and traffic supervisor for Kaiser Industries in Fontana. While there he wrote, directed and, acted in various little theater productions.

Joseph was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His callings included service in the Stake Sunday School Presidency and Stake Mission Presidency, as well as a Gospel Doctrine Teacher for many years. He also was an Elder''s Quorum President and an Aaronic Priesthood Instructor.

Joe''s next port of call was at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, UT. He was employed in the management division of the supply directorate. When he retired, in 1973, the Browning Manufacturing Company employed him as inventory controller for several years. He again retired to take care of Helen whose health was deteriorating.

Helen passed away in 1982. A year later Joe married a life long friend, Ardelle Fisher Larsen for time in the SLC Temple. She had been widowed for several years. She was heaven sent to fill the void left by Helen''s passing. Joe is forever grateful to her wonderful family for accepting him into the family fold.

Joe was a gentle and kind man. He was so patient and a friend to all. Some of Joe''s favorite pastimes were reading, writing, singing, golfing, hiking, and crossword puzzles. He loved to attend the symphony and went to the Utah Shakespeare Festival for 45 years.

He is survived by his nephews, Beau Backman (Maribel), Ric Backman (Claudia), and Jan Backman. Joe and Ardelle''s family include: Dean Larsen (Mary Jo), Gary Larsen (Suzanne), Ralph Larsen (Sharon), Sheryl Allen (John), JoAnn Hanson (Rick), 21 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff from the Inn on Barton Creek for the wonderful care they have given to Joe and Ardelle over the past several years.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:00 am at Lindquist Bountiful Mortuary 727 North 400 East. Friends and family may call from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to the service. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com