Harry Gilbert Abeyta
April 15, 1933 – June 29, 2022
WEST HAVEN/EAST CARBON - Harry Gilbert Abeyta was born in Fruita, Colorado to Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez. Harry was the 5th of 11 children in his family. The family moved to Dragerton, Utah in 1941 when Harry was in 3rd grade; where they enjoyed the magic of electric lights, indoor plumbing, local stores for shopping and stable employment for his father Andy at the local coal mine providing a stable life for the family.
Harry quickly became lifelong best friends with another new transplant, Carl Garcia; together they enjoyed many home cooked meals with each other's families in Dragerton, Utah, now East Carbon, Utah. The young Abeyta boy's often spent summers in Loma, Colorado helping on the extended family farm. That experience in agriculture instilled a love of gardening and Harry always had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens at his home just like his father.
To say Harry excelled in athletics would be an understatement, his numerous awards, medals, trophies and newspaper articles for football, basketball and track as a leader in state tournaments is telling of his talent. But he wouldn't bore you with those details; he spent his life showing interest in others and deferring his own accomplishments; he excelled in humility.
He attended college for a year in Price before enlisting in the Army. Harry served in the Korean war from 1952-1954; attained the rank of Sergeant and was the preferred barber for his squad. After returning from the service, Harry enrolled at the University of Utah where he played football and was dubbed "fleet footed Harry," for his quickness on the field. He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, but more importantly met his lifelong love and partner Sally Anne Bires; a dance major at the time. They married in July of 1956 and had their first child, Kent Matthew Abeyta.
After acquiring his degree; eventually, he found employment as an educator working in various schools and then specializing in physical education. Harry worked at Mt. Jordan Junior High, Jordan High School and retired from Eastmont Middle School. Coach Abeyta was one of the favorites of students and faculty. During his career at Mt. Jordan he experienced some of his most rewarding years always having stories about his student that could make you laugh or telling us that the cook from the lunch room saved something special for him like cinnamon rolls made from scratch to bring home to his family.
Harry and Sally had a total of four boys, Kent, Bill, Gary and Danny and with all of that responsibility he always worked two jobs; leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. and not returning from his job at a local garden shop before 11:00 p.m.. As a routine the weekends were often spent fixing the older cars they had, working on the house and yard, attending little league sporting events or helping his sons with their own projects.
Harry was an avid trout fisherman and summers with his boys were spent camping and fishing or gardening. He supported the boys in their interest in sports and never pushed, but always encouraged the importance of education. He always made time and countless sacrifices for his sons and they knew how important they were to him.
After retirement from the Jordan School District Harry and Sally moved to Clatskanie, an Oregon town on the Columbia River near Astoria. They bought a turn of the century farmhouse on some acreage with a brook and a river running through the back yard. This began an exciting new chapter in their life. The farm begged for attention and Harry delivered, always working on improving and exploring their new land. It's fair to say these were perfect retirement years. They explored the Oregon coast, Harry learned to salmon fish, raise sheep and goats and he and Sally always had cats and dogs to love. It also provided a great spot for their children's families to visit which they often did for vacations. Eventually, the vastness of the property became too much for Harry and Sally and they decided to downsize to a smaller house in the beautiful coastal town of Bandon, Oregon where new adventures were often found. Harry learned to fish for Dungeness crab and everyone enjoyed the harvest. As the years advanced it became necessary to return to Utah and be near their oldest son. Harry and Sally settled in West Haven with their dog, Sammy and cat, Kiki, in a comfortable new home.
Harry spent his final months at the George Wahlen Veterans Home. The family would like to extend thanks and gratitude to all those who cared for him there.
Harry passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Harry is survived by his wife, Sally; sons, Kent (Cynthia), Bill (Daijiro), Gary, and Danny (Stephanie); brother, Chuck (Carolyn); sisters, Loretta Jewkes (Tom), Margaret Alves (George), and Carol. He had six grandchildren, one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez; sisters, Pearl, Jenny, Patsy; and brothers, James, Manuel and David.
Harry and Sally were married 65 years, 11 months.
Funeral Mass, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, East Carbon, Utah. A Vigil service will be held on Monday Evening, July 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services both at the church in East Carbon. Committal service, Valley View Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington.
April 15, 1933 – June 29, 2022
WEST HAVEN/EAST CARBON - Harry Gilbert Abeyta was born in Fruita, Colorado to Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez. Harry was the 5th of 11 children in his family. The family moved to Dragerton, Utah in 1941 when Harry was in 3rd grade; where they enjoyed the magic of electric lights, indoor plumbing, local stores for shopping and stable employment for his father Andy at the local coal mine providing a stable life for the family.
Harry quickly became lifelong best friends with another new transplant, Carl Garcia; together they enjoyed many home cooked meals with each other's families in Dragerton, Utah, now East Carbon, Utah. The young Abeyta boy's often spent summers in Loma, Colorado helping on the extended family farm. That experience in agriculture instilled a love of gardening and Harry always had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens at his home just like his father.
To say Harry excelled in athletics would be an understatement, his numerous awards, medals, trophies and newspaper articles for football, basketball and track as a leader in state tournaments is telling of his talent. But he wouldn't bore you with those details; he spent his life showing interest in others and deferring his own accomplishments; he excelled in humility.
He attended college for a year in Price before enlisting in the Army. Harry served in the Korean war from 1952-1954; attained the rank of Sergeant and was the preferred barber for his squad. After returning from the service, Harry enrolled at the University of Utah where he played football and was dubbed "fleet footed Harry," for his quickness on the field. He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, but more importantly met his lifelong love and partner Sally Anne Bires; a dance major at the time. They married in July of 1956 and had their first child, Kent Matthew Abeyta.
After acquiring his degree; eventually, he found employment as an educator working in various schools and then specializing in physical education. Harry worked at Mt. Jordan Junior High, Jordan High School and retired from Eastmont Middle School. Coach Abeyta was one of the favorites of students and faculty. During his career at Mt. Jordan he experienced some of his most rewarding years always having stories about his student that could make you laugh or telling us that the cook from the lunch room saved something special for him like cinnamon rolls made from scratch to bring home to his family.
Harry and Sally had a total of four boys, Kent, Bill, Gary and Danny and with all of that responsibility he always worked two jobs; leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. and not returning from his job at a local garden shop before 11:00 p.m.. As a routine the weekends were often spent fixing the older cars they had, working on the house and yard, attending little league sporting events or helping his sons with their own projects.
Harry was an avid trout fisherman and summers with his boys were spent camping and fishing or gardening. He supported the boys in their interest in sports and never pushed, but always encouraged the importance of education. He always made time and countless sacrifices for his sons and they knew how important they were to him.
After retirement from the Jordan School District Harry and Sally moved to Clatskanie, an Oregon town on the Columbia River near Astoria. They bought a turn of the century farmhouse on some acreage with a brook and a river running through the back yard. This began an exciting new chapter in their life. The farm begged for attention and Harry delivered, always working on improving and exploring their new land. It's fair to say these were perfect retirement years. They explored the Oregon coast, Harry learned to salmon fish, raise sheep and goats and he and Sally always had cats and dogs to love. It also provided a great spot for their children's families to visit which they often did for vacations. Eventually, the vastness of the property became too much for Harry and Sally and they decided to downsize to a smaller house in the beautiful coastal town of Bandon, Oregon where new adventures were often found. Harry learned to fish for Dungeness crab and everyone enjoyed the harvest. As the years advanced it became necessary to return to Utah and be near their oldest son. Harry and Sally settled in West Haven with their dog, Sammy and cat, Kiki, in a comfortable new home.
Harry spent his final months at the George Wahlen Veterans Home. The family would like to extend thanks and gratitude to all those who cared for him there.
Harry passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Harry is survived by his wife, Sally; sons, Kent (Cynthia), Bill (Daijiro), Gary, and Danny (Stephanie); brother, Chuck (Carolyn); sisters, Loretta Jewkes (Tom), Margaret Alves (George), and Carol. He had six grandchildren, one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez; sisters, Pearl, Jenny, Patsy; and brothers, James, Manuel and David.
Harry and Sally were married 65 years, 11 months.
Funeral Mass, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, East Carbon, Utah. A Vigil service will be held on Monday Evening, July 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services both at the church in East Carbon. Committal service, Valley View Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington.
Harry Gilbert Abeyta
April 15, 1933 – June 29, 2022
WEST HAVEN/EAST CARBON - Harry Gilbert Abeyta was born in Fruita, Colorado to Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez. Harry was the 5th of 11 children in his family. The family moved to Dragerton, Utah in 1941 when Harry was in 3rd grade; where they enjoyed the magic of electric lights, indoor plumbing, local stores for shopping and stable employment for his father Andy at the local coal mine providing a stable life for the family.
Harry quickly became lifelong best friends with another new transplant, Carl Garcia; together they enjoyed many home cooked meals with each other's families in Dragerton, Utah, now East Carbon, Utah. The young Abeyta boy's often spent summers in Loma, Colorado helping on the extended family farm. That experience in agriculture instilled a love of gardening and Harry always had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens at his home just like his father.
To say Harry excelled in athletics would be an understatement, his numerous awards, medals, trophies and newspaper articles for football, basketball and track as a leader in state tournaments is telling of his talent. But he wouldn't bore you with those details; he spent his life showing interest in others and deferring his own accomplishments; he excelled in humility.
He attended college for a year in Price before enlisting in the Army. Harry served in the Korean war from 1952-1954; attained the rank of Sergeant and was the preferred barber for his squad. After returning from the service, Harry enrolled at the University of Utah where he played football and was dubbed "fleet footed Harry," for his quickness on the field. He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, but more importantly met his lifelong love and partner Sally Anne Bires; a dance major at the time. They married in July of 1956 and had their first child, Kent Matthew Abeyta.
After acquiring his degree; eventually, he found employment as an educator working in various schools and then specializing in physical education. Harry worked at Mt. Jordan Junior High, Jordan High School and retired from Eastmont Middle School. Coach Abeyta was one of the favorites of students and faculty. During his career at Mt. Jordan he experienced some of his most rewarding years always having stories about his student that could make you laugh or telling us that the cook from the lunch room saved something special for him like cinnamon rolls made from scratch to bring home to his family.
Harry and Sally had a total of four boys, Kent, Bill, Gary and Danny and with all of that responsibility he always worked two jobs; leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. and not returning from his job at a local garden shop before 11:00 p.m.. As a routine the weekends were often spent fixing the older cars they had, working on the house and yard, attending little league sporting events or helping his sons with their own projects.
Harry was an avid trout fisherman and summers with his boys were spent camping and fishing or gardening. He supported the boys in their interest in sports and never pushed, but always encouraged the importance of education. He always made time and countless sacrifices for his sons and they knew how important they were to him.
After retirement from the Jordan School District Harry and Sally moved to Clatskanie, an Oregon town on the Columbia River near Astoria. They bought a turn of the century farmhouse on some acreage with a brook and a river running through the back yard. This began an exciting new chapter in their life. The farm begged for attention and Harry delivered, always working on improving and exploring their new land. It's fair to say these were perfect retirement years. They explored the Oregon coast, Harry learned to salmon fish, raise sheep and goats and he and Sally always had cats and dogs to love. It also provided a great spot for their children's families to visit which they often did for vacations. Eventually, the vastness of the property became too much for Harry and Sally and they decided to downsize to a smaller house in the beautiful coastal town of Bandon, Oregon where new adventures were often found. Harry learned to fish for Dungeness crab and everyone enjoyed the harvest. As the years advanced it became necessary to return to Utah and be near their oldest son. Harry and Sally settled in West Haven with their dog, Sammy and cat, Kiki, in a comfortable new home.
Harry spent his final months at the George Wahlen Veterans Home. The family would like to extend thanks and gratitude to all those who cared for him there.
Harry passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Harry is survived by his wife, Sally; sons, Kent (Cynthia), Bill (Daijiro), Gary, and Danny (Stephanie); brother, Chuck (Carolyn); sisters, Loretta Jewkes (Tom), Margaret Alves (George), and Carol. He had six grandchildren, one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez; sisters, Pearl, Jenny, Patsy; and brothers, James, Manuel and David.
Harry and Sally were married 65 years, 11 months.
Funeral Mass, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, East Carbon, Utah. A Vigil service will be held on Monday Evening, July 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services both at the church in East Carbon. Committal service, Valley View Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington.
April 15, 1933 – June 29, 2022
WEST HAVEN/EAST CARBON - Harry Gilbert Abeyta was born in Fruita, Colorado to Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez. Harry was the 5th of 11 children in his family. The family moved to Dragerton, Utah in 1941 when Harry was in 3rd grade; where they enjoyed the magic of electric lights, indoor plumbing, local stores for shopping and stable employment for his father Andy at the local coal mine providing a stable life for the family.
Harry quickly became lifelong best friends with another new transplant, Carl Garcia; together they enjoyed many home cooked meals with each other's families in Dragerton, Utah, now East Carbon, Utah. The young Abeyta boy's often spent summers in Loma, Colorado helping on the extended family farm. That experience in agriculture instilled a love of gardening and Harry always had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens at his home just like his father.
To say Harry excelled in athletics would be an understatement, his numerous awards, medals, trophies and newspaper articles for football, basketball and track as a leader in state tournaments is telling of his talent. But he wouldn't bore you with those details; he spent his life showing interest in others and deferring his own accomplishments; he excelled in humility.
He attended college for a year in Price before enlisting in the Army. Harry served in the Korean war from 1952-1954; attained the rank of Sergeant and was the preferred barber for his squad. After returning from the service, Harry enrolled at the University of Utah where he played football and was dubbed "fleet footed Harry," for his quickness on the field. He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, but more importantly met his lifelong love and partner Sally Anne Bires; a dance major at the time. They married in July of 1956 and had their first child, Kent Matthew Abeyta.
After acquiring his degree; eventually, he found employment as an educator working in various schools and then specializing in physical education. Harry worked at Mt. Jordan Junior High, Jordan High School and retired from Eastmont Middle School. Coach Abeyta was one of the favorites of students and faculty. During his career at Mt. Jordan he experienced some of his most rewarding years always having stories about his student that could make you laugh or telling us that the cook from the lunch room saved something special for him like cinnamon rolls made from scratch to bring home to his family.
Harry and Sally had a total of four boys, Kent, Bill, Gary and Danny and with all of that responsibility he always worked two jobs; leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. and not returning from his job at a local garden shop before 11:00 p.m.. As a routine the weekends were often spent fixing the older cars they had, working on the house and yard, attending little league sporting events or helping his sons with their own projects.
Harry was an avid trout fisherman and summers with his boys were spent camping and fishing or gardening. He supported the boys in their interest in sports and never pushed, but always encouraged the importance of education. He always made time and countless sacrifices for his sons and they knew how important they were to him.
After retirement from the Jordan School District Harry and Sally moved to Clatskanie, an Oregon town on the Columbia River near Astoria. They bought a turn of the century farmhouse on some acreage with a brook and a river running through the back yard. This began an exciting new chapter in their life. The farm begged for attention and Harry delivered, always working on improving and exploring their new land. It's fair to say these were perfect retirement years. They explored the Oregon coast, Harry learned to salmon fish, raise sheep and goats and he and Sally always had cats and dogs to love. It also provided a great spot for their children's families to visit which they often did for vacations. Eventually, the vastness of the property became too much for Harry and Sally and they decided to downsize to a smaller house in the beautiful coastal town of Bandon, Oregon where new adventures were often found. Harry learned to fish for Dungeness crab and everyone enjoyed the harvest. As the years advanced it became necessary to return to Utah and be near their oldest son. Harry and Sally settled in West Haven with their dog, Sammy and cat, Kiki, in a comfortable new home.
Harry spent his final months at the George Wahlen Veterans Home. The family would like to extend thanks and gratitude to all those who cared for him there.
Harry passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Harry is survived by his wife, Sally; sons, Kent (Cynthia), Bill (Daijiro), Gary, and Danny (Stephanie); brother, Chuck (Carolyn); sisters, Loretta Jewkes (Tom), Margaret Alves (George), and Carol. He had six grandchildren, one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Abeyta and Dora Gomez; sisters, Pearl, Jenny, Patsy; and brothers, James, Manuel and David.
Harry and Sally were married 65 years, 11 months.
Funeral Mass, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, East Carbon, Utah. A Vigil service will be held on Monday Evening, July 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services both at the church in East Carbon. Committal service, Valley View Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington.
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