LaVar Hadley Spackman

After fighting a valiant battle with cancer, LaVar Hadley Spackman, 80, passed away May 19, 2011 surrounded by his loving family.

Born December 5, 1930 in Richmond, Utah to Neldon and Lucy Hadley Spackman, LaVar spent his early years working on the family farm with his younger brothers.

He graduated from North Cache High School, attended Utah State University and served in the US Army during the Korean War.

He married Kathryn Bell and later divorced. They had four children, Farrell (Carla), Rozanne (Gabe) Mercer, Kurtis (Darice) and Paul (Monica).

In 1979, he married Theola Newman Buttars and gained another son, Chad Rolland (Dani) Buttars.

He is survived by his caring wife Theola, his children, 19 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his brothers, Gary and Robert (Joyce) Spackman.

LaVar had a long career with US West, retiring after 30 years. He continued to work and retired from several other companies.

He was an avid pilot and loved to fly. He raced motorcycles and had great passion for physical competition. An ardent outdoorsman, he hunted, fished, enjoyed many outdoor activities and the rugged nature of the West''s primitive areas. He loved to work with his hands and was an accomplished artisan, creating large and small works, many with western and Native American influences.

LaVar was a member of the LDS church, serving in many callings including leadership capacities and bishopric while living in Sunset.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the Ogden City Cemetery, 1875 Monroe Blvd.

We wish to thank his doctors, nurses and all those associated with Caregivers Support Network as well as his many caring neighbors and friends.

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered "come to me." With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating; hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.