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Harry Earl Woodbury

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Harry Earl Woodbury

Birth
Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA
Death
29 Apr 2017 (aged 83)
Utah, USA
Burial
North Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Harry Earl Woodbury passed away at age 83 on April 29, 2017 from complications of pneumonia. He was born in Ogden, UT the ninth of nine children on October 5, 1933 to Leighton LeRoy Woodbury and Elida Agnes Martin Woodbury. His rough and rowdy childhood was spent roaming the heart of Ogden with his siblings, cousins and friends who he loved. He met Marilyn Rhees on a blind date September 1, 1952 and was immediately smitten. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 19, 1953 and joyfully traveled the road of life together. Although he lived his entire life in the Ogden area, his travels took him far and wide. Just two weeks after they were married, Harry departed to serve 2 ½ years as a full time missionary in the six countries of Central America, helping open this new mission. He later returned with his wife to serve another mission in Guatemala. He traveled extensively for work throughout the United States and enjoyed the opportunity to make friends all over the world. He would find a connection to someone he knew in every acquaintance.

He was a proud graduate of Ogden High School and furthered his education with a B.A. from Weber State University and graduate studies from the U of U and USU. Although he was an avid student of the journey of life, he especially loved the study of languages and embraced the opportunity to learn for all of his days. His daily routine included scripture study of the Book of Mormon simultaneously in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. It was his delight to provide other scholars with improvements in the translations of those books and his suggestions were gratefully accepted. He worked many different jobs for the Federal Government for over 30 years and retired as a Director of Human Resources.

Throughout his life he served his community or fellowman in any way he could. As a younger man he was a hard-working roofer, shingling the homes of many widows, often providing labor and materials for free. He helped the scouts raise money for their activities by allowing them to help with his roofing projects, but then finishing them up himself after the Scouts had left for their trips. He was a conscientious blood donor, who gave nearly 10 gallons of blood one pint at a time. After his retirement, he became a tutor of elementary school children for whom English was a second language. He also mentored many people who were unexpectedly unemployed by using his vast experience in Human Resources to help them with resumes, job applications and locating employment opportunities. He was a champion of the down-trodden and provided assistance to anyone he could, whenever he could, and often to those who could only survive because they receive a helping hand. He was a gifted listener who relished even the smallest detail of your life and helped you to see the value in it. He was affectionately known as "Grandpa" to countless small children in the neighborhood where he lived and always had candy in his pocket to share.

His enthusiasm for life extended into many areas; his love of the arts and the theater provided much pleasure. He and Marilyn traveled often to support live music and theater performances, from the opera company in Logan, to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, and live shows at Tuacahn in St. George. They held season tickets to Hale Theater and enjoyed the performance of many symphonies and string quartets. He and Marilyn also enjoyed years of ballroom dancing and shared that enjoyment by performing in floor shows, competing and eventually teaching many types of dance including the waltz, lindy hop, fox trot, samba, swing and line dancing. He was a gifted athlete and played fast pitch softball on multiple teams. He would organize teams wherever he worked and help to develop players with any level of skill or no experience at all. His pitching was a highlight and he had a wicked fastball, curve and riser. He played in many tournaments throughout each season for over 20 years. He also coached with passion after his playing days were over and lately was avidly following the career of a local girl, McKenna Bull, who is playing for BYU.

He enjoyed spending as much time as possible in the outdoors and marveled at wild creatures wherever he went. He was an excellent marksman, both proficient and knowledgeable of all types of firearms. It was a passion he shared with many family and friends.

A member of the LDS Church, he served in multiple callings throughout his life including Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Men's advisor, Counselor in the Bishopric and multiple missions both at home and abroad. His passion for life was matched equally by his love of family. He enjoyed the challenge of raising three daughters and encouraged them to develop critical thinking skills by spending hours helping with studies, supporting all activities and especially playing cards until the wee hours of the morning. It was fun to watch him shoot the moon playing pinochle, and "buzz" was another favorite. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were a joy to him. Every birthday and milestone was celebrated. The day before he died he attended BYU's commencement ceremonies to see his youngest granddaughter and her husband receive their bachelor degrees.

He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 58 and for the rest of his life received the dedicated care and support of many healthcare providers and family members. Our gratitude goes to Dr. Vincent Hansen and the staff of the Hematology/Oncology caregivers at McKay Dee Hospital, as well as his primary care doctors Dr. Randall Steinfeldt and Dr. Lance Barker who helped to keep him healthy and able to enjoy his long and full life. His lovely wife Marilyn also provided extensive daily attention to his care and his daughter Sandra provided alternative medical support and healing. The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the beloved community of Pleasant View who share their lives with Harry and Marilyn. You have provided the great gift of friendship, love, and comfort.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Rhees Woodbury, their three daughters and their spouses, Jan Lawrence (Gary) of Fairfield, UT; Valorie Jensen (Scott) of Pleasant Grove, UT; and Sandra Johnson (Rob) of Salt Lake City, UT; eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by all of his siblings. If you would like to honor his memory, please consider doing a random act of kindness for a stranger or someone in need. Service and fellowship were the hallmarks of his heroic life.

To celebrate Harry's life, family will greet friends and relatives at Pleasant View 1st Ward LDS Church Hwy 89, 3025 N 1325 W Pleasant View, UT 84414, Friday, May 5, 2017, 6-8 pm; and Saturday, May 6, 2017 10:00-10:45 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am.

Interment at Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden, UT.
Harry Earl Woodbury passed away at age 83 on April 29, 2017 from complications of pneumonia. He was born in Ogden, UT the ninth of nine children on October 5, 1933 to Leighton LeRoy Woodbury and Elida Agnes Martin Woodbury. His rough and rowdy childhood was spent roaming the heart of Ogden with his siblings, cousins and friends who he loved. He met Marilyn Rhees on a blind date September 1, 1952 and was immediately smitten. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 19, 1953 and joyfully traveled the road of life together. Although he lived his entire life in the Ogden area, his travels took him far and wide. Just two weeks after they were married, Harry departed to serve 2 ½ years as a full time missionary in the six countries of Central America, helping open this new mission. He later returned with his wife to serve another mission in Guatemala. He traveled extensively for work throughout the United States and enjoyed the opportunity to make friends all over the world. He would find a connection to someone he knew in every acquaintance.

He was a proud graduate of Ogden High School and furthered his education with a B.A. from Weber State University and graduate studies from the U of U and USU. Although he was an avid student of the journey of life, he especially loved the study of languages and embraced the opportunity to learn for all of his days. His daily routine included scripture study of the Book of Mormon simultaneously in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. It was his delight to provide other scholars with improvements in the translations of those books and his suggestions were gratefully accepted. He worked many different jobs for the Federal Government for over 30 years and retired as a Director of Human Resources.

Throughout his life he served his community or fellowman in any way he could. As a younger man he was a hard-working roofer, shingling the homes of many widows, often providing labor and materials for free. He helped the scouts raise money for their activities by allowing them to help with his roofing projects, but then finishing them up himself after the Scouts had left for their trips. He was a conscientious blood donor, who gave nearly 10 gallons of blood one pint at a time. After his retirement, he became a tutor of elementary school children for whom English was a second language. He also mentored many people who were unexpectedly unemployed by using his vast experience in Human Resources to help them with resumes, job applications and locating employment opportunities. He was a champion of the down-trodden and provided assistance to anyone he could, whenever he could, and often to those who could only survive because they receive a helping hand. He was a gifted listener who relished even the smallest detail of your life and helped you to see the value in it. He was affectionately known as "Grandpa" to countless small children in the neighborhood where he lived and always had candy in his pocket to share.

His enthusiasm for life extended into many areas; his love of the arts and the theater provided much pleasure. He and Marilyn traveled often to support live music and theater performances, from the opera company in Logan, to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, and live shows at Tuacahn in St. George. They held season tickets to Hale Theater and enjoyed the performance of many symphonies and string quartets. He and Marilyn also enjoyed years of ballroom dancing and shared that enjoyment by performing in floor shows, competing and eventually teaching many types of dance including the waltz, lindy hop, fox trot, samba, swing and line dancing. He was a gifted athlete and played fast pitch softball on multiple teams. He would organize teams wherever he worked and help to develop players with any level of skill or no experience at all. His pitching was a highlight and he had a wicked fastball, curve and riser. He played in many tournaments throughout each season for over 20 years. He also coached with passion after his playing days were over and lately was avidly following the career of a local girl, McKenna Bull, who is playing for BYU.

He enjoyed spending as much time as possible in the outdoors and marveled at wild creatures wherever he went. He was an excellent marksman, both proficient and knowledgeable of all types of firearms. It was a passion he shared with many family and friends.

A member of the LDS Church, he served in multiple callings throughout his life including Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Men's advisor, Counselor in the Bishopric and multiple missions both at home and abroad. His passion for life was matched equally by his love of family. He enjoyed the challenge of raising three daughters and encouraged them to develop critical thinking skills by spending hours helping with studies, supporting all activities and especially playing cards until the wee hours of the morning. It was fun to watch him shoot the moon playing pinochle, and "buzz" was another favorite. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were a joy to him. Every birthday and milestone was celebrated. The day before he died he attended BYU's commencement ceremonies to see his youngest granddaughter and her husband receive their bachelor degrees.

He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 58 and for the rest of his life received the dedicated care and support of many healthcare providers and family members. Our gratitude goes to Dr. Vincent Hansen and the staff of the Hematology/Oncology caregivers at McKay Dee Hospital, as well as his primary care doctors Dr. Randall Steinfeldt and Dr. Lance Barker who helped to keep him healthy and able to enjoy his long and full life. His lovely wife Marilyn also provided extensive daily attention to his care and his daughter Sandra provided alternative medical support and healing. The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the beloved community of Pleasant View who share their lives with Harry and Marilyn. You have provided the great gift of friendship, love, and comfort.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Rhees Woodbury, their three daughters and their spouses, Jan Lawrence (Gary) of Fairfield, UT; Valorie Jensen (Scott) of Pleasant Grove, UT; and Sandra Johnson (Rob) of Salt Lake City, UT; eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by all of his siblings. If you would like to honor his memory, please consider doing a random act of kindness for a stranger or someone in need. Service and fellowship were the hallmarks of his heroic life.

To celebrate Harry's life, family will greet friends and relatives at Pleasant View 1st Ward LDS Church Hwy 89, 3025 N 1325 W Pleasant View, UT 84414, Friday, May 5, 2017, 6-8 pm; and Saturday, May 6, 2017 10:00-10:45 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am.

Interment at Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden, UT.

Gravesite Details

Source: Myers Mortuary*****Burial May 6, 2017



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