Vern L Thurgood

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Our beloved husband, father, grandfather (gramps), great-grandfather, and brother, passed away October 19, 2012 in Layton, Utah after a short battle with cancer at 87 years of age. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.

Vern was born May 12, 1925 in Syracuse, Utah to William Leo Thurgood and Ellen E. Bennett Thurgood.

He was married to F. Edna Jones on December 18, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had been married 69 years.

He lived in the West Point and Syracuse area his entire life. He developed a hard work ethic at a very young age, working on the family farm and milking cows.

He loved life and made friends everywhere he went.

Vern served his country proudly during World War II in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific on the landing craft USS LSM 26. He watched from his ship as the US flag was raised on Iwo Jima. His first daughter, LaRae, was born while he was away from home during the war.

In 1950 he began hauling can milk for Cream O'' Weber Dairy. During his career in the dairy industry he held management positions in several dairy farmer cooperatives. He could recall the names of the dairy farmers he had worked with throughout the intermountain area. He served as an officer of the Utah Dairy Council. He also served as a trustee on the Humana Hospital Board of Directors.

After his retirement from the dairy industry he helped with the development of the Island View Residential Treatment Center in Syracuse where he developed many close relationships with the staff and residents.

Vern was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was most happy helping others wanting nothing in return. He served faithfully in many callings including a Sealer and Ordinance Worker in the Ogden Temple. He served as a Stake and Regional Welfare Agent. He was the first Stake President in the West Point Stake after serving as counselor to President Palmer in the Syracuse Stake Presidency. He served as the first Bishop of the West Point 2nd Ward for 8 years. Prior to that he served as a counselor to Bishop Briggs in Syracuse. In his early years he served in the Young Mens M.I.A. where he developed a love for working with the youth. He also served as a Stake Missionary. He always considered his greatest callings as a Home Teacher, Husband, Father and Grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Edna Jones Thurgood and his children LaRae (Lorin) Broadbent of Park City, Sherry Dawn (Edward) Golden of Ogden and Vern Alan (Sarah) Thurgood of Providence. He is survived by 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Carl (JoAnn) and three sisters Effie Barnes, Zola (Ed) Wayment and Donna (Marlin) Patterson and sister-in-law Donna Thurgood. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Roy and Dale and two sisters: Doris Williams and Norma Eddy.

The family would like to thank all those that assisted during this difficult time including the Layton Legacy Village Rehabilitation Center staff and Aspire Hospice.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 27th at 11 a.m. at the West Point Stake Center, 550 N. 2300 W., West Point, Utah. Viewing will be held Friday, October 26th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lindquist Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road; with an additional viewing Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Stake Center prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Interment, West Point City Cemetery.