Warren Judd

Warren Vernal Judd

Warren Vernal Judd, age 90, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

Warren was born in Fredonia, Arizona on July 19, 1927 to Warren Dart and Olive Brooksby Judd, the oldest of seven children. He graduated from Fredonia Public School in May 1945, then joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 during the latter part of WWII.  His basic training was at the U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA.  He served there as “Ship’s Company” assigned as Transfer Yeoman at the Personnel Office.  Here he met and worked with Thomas S. Monson, who later would become President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they became close friends the remainder of their lives.  Warren served three years in the U.S. Navy, and served as LDS Group Leader, conducting weekly church services.  The last nine months of his Navy career was as Captain’s Secretary on the U.S.S. Pres. Hayes, a troop transport assigned to the Pacific area.  He was discharged from the Navy with enlisted rank of Yeoman 2nd Class.

He was called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia, the former home of his maternal grandparents.  He served as Mission Secretary for 13 months in Sydney, then as Presiding Elder in Melbourne, Australia for nine months.

Warren married a previous schoolmate, LaJean Carling on June 6, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple.  They were blessed with one daughter, Elva Jean, on August 4, 1952.  Warren graduated with an Associates of Science degree from Weber College in Ogden, Utah and was then accepted as a dental student at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1958.  He accepted a commission as a dental officer with the U.S. Public Health Service and served a year of dental internship at the USPHS Hospital, Norfolk, VA.  Following this he was the dental officer at the Indian Hospital, Zuni, NM.  Assignments followed at San Pedro, CA and Seattle, WA.  Warren then received three years of training in an Oral Surgery Residency at the USPHS Hospital, Staten Island, NY and received his Master of Science degree from New York University.  He became board certified in Oral Surgery, serving at PHS Hospitals in Anchorage, AK and Gallup, NM.  He retired with 27 years of service in the USPHS and purchased a home in Layton, UT.  He practiced Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for another 10 ½ years before retiring from practicing dentistry.

His wife LaJean passed away in 2005.   After his sweet wife LaJean’s passing, Warren found joy and companionship again with Leola Esperson. They were married in a civil marriage performed by his good friend President Thomas S. Monson, in the Ogden Temple.  After 10 happy years Leola passed away in 2016.  He was much loved by Leola’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.    Even after Leola’s death, Warren’s growing step family continued to embrace and cherish him and he will be greatly missed and always loved by them.

Warren has served in various positions for the LDS Church; as Sunday School teacher, counselor in the bishopric, Boy Scout Troop Committeeman, ward executive secretary, and as assistant ward librarian.

While living in Gallup, NM Warren received his private pilot’s license and was able to fly to various PHS Dental Clinics in Arizona conducting oral surgery procedures for teaching purposes.  He enjoyed outdoor activities of camping and hunting, in Alaska, Utah and New Mexico.  Warren participated in small-bore silhouette rifle target shooting activities for many years.

He is survived by his daughter Elva Jean (Michael Colandino) of Van Buren, AR; and granddaughter LaNae Jean Colandino, siblings Alma (Connie) of Mesa, AZ; Keith (Carol) of Fredonia, AZ; Tharon (Kathy) of Orem, UT; brother-in-law, Alma Bastian, Sigurd, UT; and Lawrence Dart (Jan) of Yamhill, OR.   He is preceded in death by his parents Warren Dart and Olive Brooksby Judd, brother, Albin and Lenna Mae Hinton Judd, and sister, Darlene Judd Bastian.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, South Ogden.