Harold Ronald Wagstaff's grateful and loving heart stopped beating on October 16, 2016. He was in his favorite spot, his home in Holladay, and taught us one last lesson on working through life's challenges. Peacefully, with dignity, and cheerful to the end, he passed through the veil to be reunited with his sweetheart and wife, Evelyn; parents, Jake and Gladys; sisters, Ivy and Kathy; granddaughter, Megan; and other loved ones. This we know to be true because of the way he taught us the gospel of Jesus Christ — he lived it!
Holladay is the only home HR has ever known. He was born on Spring Creek Road on September 18, 1927, a son of Harold George Wagstaff and Gladys Deverall Wagstaff. He grew up with siblings, Ivy (Quist), Helen (Christiansen), Lavelle (Fagg), Brig Wagstaff, and Kathy (Hale). They have all been lifelong friends and live nearby to this day, a tradition that has been passed on to the next generation.
HR moved across the street after marrying our extraordinary mother, Evelyn Fae Crowther, on June 5, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised a family of five children: Jenny (Doug) Holland, Becky (Jeremy) Meier, Ron (Andi) Wagstaff, Ann (Ross) Varner, and Jim (Angie) Wagstaff; twenty-nine grandchildren, and sixty-eight great-grandchildren. HR was proud of his posterity; he loved to bounce a baby or two while working in the office with his daughters during his later years.
We wonder if HR was born with a shovel in his hand. His passion for work and his keen mind for business are legendary among family and friends. To him, work was therapy and a cure for all ills. He and Evie worked hand in hand as business partners, founding Wagstaff Crane Service in 1963.
His sons and daughters joined them in the business, and several grandchildren work for the company as well. Many of HR's employees and business associates have become close friends and have praised his integrity, honesty, and humility coupled with confidence. His ranch in Wyoming became sacred ground to him and our family; a place to raise cows, kids, build barns and fences, and a place where we learned that you don't just "make hay when the sun shines," but also before it rises and after it sets.
Blessed with loyal friends throughout his life, they inspired him to be a better man. And he did the same for them. HR served an LDS mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, faithfully worshipped with his family, friends, and neighbors in the Holladay Tenth Ward, served in a bishopric and stake high council.
But his quiet, behind-the-scenes acts of love and giving were what defined him. He had a knack of knowing the under-dogs and needy around him, and gathered them in with his generous spirit. He appreciated Broadway plays and good music, especially the Tabernacle Choir. It was a source of comfort, faith, and inspiration for him.
As he began to decline with Alzheimer's, his testimony of the Savior and the Plan of Salvation soared higher. His bright blue eyes still flashed with laughter and his smile came quickly. He kept moving forward, determined to fill each day with productivity. His ability to laugh at his situation pulled his posterity into his home to enjoy his sense of humor and to hear him continually express gratitude for life and for the Lord. Although his passing leaves a hole in our hearts, his life and love will continually inspire us as we press forward.
A viewing will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Holladay Tenth Ward Building, 4601 South Chapel Drive (2565 East). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in the church.
Burial at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 East).
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News from October 19 to October 20, 2016.
Holladay is the only home HR has ever known. He was born on Spring Creek Road on September 18, 1927, a son of Harold George Wagstaff and Gladys Deverall Wagstaff. He grew up with siblings, Ivy (Quist), Helen (Christiansen), Lavelle (Fagg), Brig Wagstaff, and Kathy (Hale). They have all been lifelong friends and live nearby to this day, a tradition that has been passed on to the next generation.
HR moved across the street after marrying our extraordinary mother, Evelyn Fae Crowther, on June 5, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised a family of five children: Jenny (Doug) Holland, Becky (Jeremy) Meier, Ron (Andi) Wagstaff, Ann (Ross) Varner, and Jim (Angie) Wagstaff; twenty-nine grandchildren, and sixty-eight great-grandchildren. HR was proud of his posterity; he loved to bounce a baby or two while working in the office with his daughters during his later years.
We wonder if HR was born with a shovel in his hand. His passion for work and his keen mind for business are legendary among family and friends. To him, work was therapy and a cure for all ills. He and Evie worked hand in hand as business partners, founding Wagstaff Crane Service in 1963.
His sons and daughters joined them in the business, and several grandchildren work for the company as well. Many of HR's employees and business associates have become close friends and have praised his integrity, honesty, and humility coupled with confidence. His ranch in Wyoming became sacred ground to him and our family; a place to raise cows, kids, build barns and fences, and a place where we learned that you don't just "make hay when the sun shines," but also before it rises and after it sets.
Blessed with loyal friends throughout his life, they inspired him to be a better man. And he did the same for them. HR served an LDS mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, faithfully worshipped with his family, friends, and neighbors in the Holladay Tenth Ward, served in a bishopric and stake high council.
But his quiet, behind-the-scenes acts of love and giving were what defined him. He had a knack of knowing the under-dogs and needy around him, and gathered them in with his generous spirit. He appreciated Broadway plays and good music, especially the Tabernacle Choir. It was a source of comfort, faith, and inspiration for him.
As he began to decline with Alzheimer's, his testimony of the Savior and the Plan of Salvation soared higher. His bright blue eyes still flashed with laughter and his smile came quickly. He kept moving forward, determined to fill each day with productivity. His ability to laugh at his situation pulled his posterity into his home to enjoy his sense of humor and to hear him continually express gratitude for life and for the Lord. Although his passing leaves a hole in our hearts, his life and love will continually inspire us as we press forward.
A viewing will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Holladay Tenth Ward Building, 4601 South Chapel Drive (2565 East). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in the church.
Burial at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 East).
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News from October 19 to October 20, 2016.
Harold Ronald Wagstaff's grateful and loving heart stopped beating on October 16, 2016. He was in his favorite spot, his home in Holladay, and taught us one last lesson on working through life's challenges. Peacefully, with dignity, and cheerful to the end, he passed through the veil to be reunited with his sweetheart and wife, Evelyn; parents, Jake and Gladys; sisters, Ivy and Kathy; granddaughter, Megan; and other loved ones. This we know to be true because of the way he taught us the gospel of Jesus Christ — he lived it!
Holladay is the only home HR has ever known. He was born on Spring Creek Road on September 18, 1927, a son of Harold George Wagstaff and Gladys Deverall Wagstaff. He grew up with siblings, Ivy (Quist), Helen (Christiansen), Lavelle (Fagg), Brig Wagstaff, and Kathy (Hale). They have all been lifelong friends and live nearby to this day, a tradition that has been passed on to the next generation.
HR moved across the street after marrying our extraordinary mother, Evelyn Fae Crowther, on June 5, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised a family of five children: Jenny (Doug) Holland, Becky (Jeremy) Meier, Ron (Andi) Wagstaff, Ann (Ross) Varner, and Jim (Angie) Wagstaff; twenty-nine grandchildren, and sixty-eight great-grandchildren. HR was proud of his posterity; he loved to bounce a baby or two while working in the office with his daughters during his later years.
We wonder if HR was born with a shovel in his hand. His passion for work and his keen mind for business are legendary among family and friends. To him, work was therapy and a cure for all ills. He and Evie worked hand in hand as business partners, founding Wagstaff Crane Service in 1963.
His sons and daughters joined them in the business, and several grandchildren work for the company as well. Many of HR's employees and business associates have become close friends and have praised his integrity, honesty, and humility coupled with confidence. His ranch in Wyoming became sacred ground to him and our family; a place to raise cows, kids, build barns and fences, and a place where we learned that you don't just "make hay when the sun shines," but also before it rises and after it sets.
Blessed with loyal friends throughout his life, they inspired him to be a better man. And he did the same for them. HR served an LDS mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, faithfully worshipped with his family, friends, and neighbors in the Holladay Tenth Ward, served in a bishopric and stake high council.
But his quiet, behind-the-scenes acts of love and giving were what defined him. He had a knack of knowing the under-dogs and needy around him, and gathered them in with his generous spirit. He appreciated Broadway plays and good music, especially the Tabernacle Choir. It was a source of comfort, faith, and inspiration for him.
As he began to decline with Alzheimer's, his testimony of the Savior and the Plan of Salvation soared higher. His bright blue eyes still flashed with laughter and his smile came quickly. He kept moving forward, determined to fill each day with productivity. His ability to laugh at his situation pulled his posterity into his home to enjoy his sense of humor and to hear him continually express gratitude for life and for the Lord. Although his passing leaves a hole in our hearts, his life and love will continually inspire us as we press forward.
A viewing will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Holladay Tenth Ward Building, 4601 South Chapel Drive (2565 East). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in the church.
Burial at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 East).
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News from October 19 to October 20, 2016.
Holladay is the only home HR has ever known. He was born on Spring Creek Road on September 18, 1927, a son of Harold George Wagstaff and Gladys Deverall Wagstaff. He grew up with siblings, Ivy (Quist), Helen (Christiansen), Lavelle (Fagg), Brig Wagstaff, and Kathy (Hale). They have all been lifelong friends and live nearby to this day, a tradition that has been passed on to the next generation.
HR moved across the street after marrying our extraordinary mother, Evelyn Fae Crowther, on June 5, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised a family of five children: Jenny (Doug) Holland, Becky (Jeremy) Meier, Ron (Andi) Wagstaff, Ann (Ross) Varner, and Jim (Angie) Wagstaff; twenty-nine grandchildren, and sixty-eight great-grandchildren. HR was proud of his posterity; he loved to bounce a baby or two while working in the office with his daughters during his later years.
We wonder if HR was born with a shovel in his hand. His passion for work and his keen mind for business are legendary among family and friends. To him, work was therapy and a cure for all ills. He and Evie worked hand in hand as business partners, founding Wagstaff Crane Service in 1963.
His sons and daughters joined them in the business, and several grandchildren work for the company as well. Many of HR's employees and business associates have become close friends and have praised his integrity, honesty, and humility coupled with confidence. His ranch in Wyoming became sacred ground to him and our family; a place to raise cows, kids, build barns and fences, and a place where we learned that you don't just "make hay when the sun shines," but also before it rises and after it sets.
Blessed with loyal friends throughout his life, they inspired him to be a better man. And he did the same for them. HR served an LDS mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, faithfully worshipped with his family, friends, and neighbors in the Holladay Tenth Ward, served in a bishopric and stake high council.
But his quiet, behind-the-scenes acts of love and giving were what defined him. He had a knack of knowing the under-dogs and needy around him, and gathered them in with his generous spirit. He appreciated Broadway plays and good music, especially the Tabernacle Choir. It was a source of comfort, faith, and inspiration for him.
As he began to decline with Alzheimer's, his testimony of the Savior and the Plan of Salvation soared higher. His bright blue eyes still flashed with laughter and his smile came quickly. He kept moving forward, determined to fill each day with productivity. His ability to laugh at his situation pulled his posterity into his home to enjoy his sense of humor and to hear him continually express gratitude for life and for the Lord. Although his passing leaves a hole in our hearts, his life and love will continually inspire us as we press forward.
A viewing will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Holladay Tenth Ward Building, 4601 South Chapel Drive (2565 East). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in the church.
Burial at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 East).
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News from October 19 to October 20, 2016.
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