Our dearest husband, Dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle passed away on Monday, June 29, 2009 at age 89 in the early morning hours at his home.
As the youngest son of six children from parents Earl Slade and Nellie Hayball Bennion, Alfred Hyrum Bennion was born March 15, 1920 in Magna, Utah.
His family was always happy despite living through the Great Depression. Al graduated from Cyprus High (Magna) and attended the University of Utah for three years until he joined the fight for the U.S. in World War II. At Cyprus High, Al played Varsity football alongside friend Pete Harman.
While at the U of U, Al was a Wrestling Champion, representing the U's Varsity Wrestling team. In World War II, Al served the army for four years as a talented mechanic and corporal in the motor pool. He served in both theaters of war. After World War II, Al and his brother Dale built from scratch, a thriving and impressive business: the Aladale Hatchery.
President Monson loves poultry and was a regular customer! Over the 35-year life of the business they hatched, sold or delivered 15 million baby chickens and one million baby turkey poults. They supplied the first chickens to KFC and were friends of Colonel Sanders. They also owned a turkey hatchery in Sacramento, California.
Dad could do anything. He wired the entire hatchery buildings. He welded; he fixed the fleet of 20 trucks and cars. His abilities were endless. If he needed something for the hatchery, he and Dale would just design it and manufacture it themselves.
In 1948, Al married his first sweetheart Jean Russell, who worked as an executive secretary for Jesse Evans Smith and Clyde Miller, Utah Secretary of State. Al and Jean had four beautiful children. Jean and Al were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and married for nearly 32 years when Jean passed away.
Then, Al was very fortunate to be reunited with his beautiful former classmate Doris Self (they were Magna schools classmates from 6th grade through high school). The two dated and love blossomed. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1980 and their marriage was truly a blissful one for 29 years until the end. All of Al's children were married in the Salt Lake Temple and this brought him great joy and peace.
Alfred served many years in LDS Church leadership positions. He was called as Bishop of the Valley Center Second Ward at age 33 and served for five years, after which he was called as First Counselor in two consecutive Millcreek Stake Presidencies until June 1977 (18 years combined).
His devoted wife Jean fully supported him in all of these callings. Al also served 11 years as High Priest Group Leader in the Millcreek Third Ward and he treasures the men with whom he served. Al was a Master M-Men and Eagle Scout. He was an incredible organizer and planner of stake events (including stake senior citizen parties).
He was a fantastic Master of Ceremonies and can tell the best jokes in the best way. Al rubbed shoulders with just about every apostle and every future president of the Church as stake conferences used to occur quarterly. He loved these Church leaders so much. The stake presidency always had them for dinner in their homes.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball spoke at a MC stake fireside just days before Pres. Harold B. Lee died without warning and Elder Kimball was thrust into being the President of the Church.
He witnessed and participated in one of the greatest periods in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 10/2 Grandchildren have served and/or are serving missions. Four are currently serving missions.
Al is survived by his sweetheart: Doris; children: Sharon Jean (Art) Garrison, Charlene (Paul) Brunstad, Janet (Doug) Metcalf, and Alfred Russell/Fred (Jenifer) Bennion; other children: Dr. Richard/Ric, (Kathy) Kunz, Jamie Kunz (Les) Lavenstein, Kelly (Diane) Kunz, 27/8 grandchildren; 13/8 great-grandchildren; youngest sister: Beverly McDonald; lifelong best friend: Jack Gardner; preceded in death by wife Jean, brothers Jack, Dale, and baby brother Lawrence Allen, and sisters Ruth Johnson, and Dorothy Smith, grandson Tyler Kunz, grandbaby Amanda Brunstad, great-grandbaby Eden Dowdle.
We will be having a viewing this Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12 Noon (with a viewing at 10:30 a.m.) in the Millcreek Stake Center, 4220 South 420 East, Murray, UT (Enter from 5th East).
Published in the Deseret News from 7/1/2009 - 7/2/2009.
As the youngest son of six children from parents Earl Slade and Nellie Hayball Bennion, Alfred Hyrum Bennion was born March 15, 1920 in Magna, Utah.
His family was always happy despite living through the Great Depression. Al graduated from Cyprus High (Magna) and attended the University of Utah for three years until he joined the fight for the U.S. in World War II. At Cyprus High, Al played Varsity football alongside friend Pete Harman.
While at the U of U, Al was a Wrestling Champion, representing the U's Varsity Wrestling team. In World War II, Al served the army for four years as a talented mechanic and corporal in the motor pool. He served in both theaters of war. After World War II, Al and his brother Dale built from scratch, a thriving and impressive business: the Aladale Hatchery.
President Monson loves poultry and was a regular customer! Over the 35-year life of the business they hatched, sold or delivered 15 million baby chickens and one million baby turkey poults. They supplied the first chickens to KFC and were friends of Colonel Sanders. They also owned a turkey hatchery in Sacramento, California.
Dad could do anything. He wired the entire hatchery buildings. He welded; he fixed the fleet of 20 trucks and cars. His abilities were endless. If he needed something for the hatchery, he and Dale would just design it and manufacture it themselves.
In 1948, Al married his first sweetheart Jean Russell, who worked as an executive secretary for Jesse Evans Smith and Clyde Miller, Utah Secretary of State. Al and Jean had four beautiful children. Jean and Al were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and married for nearly 32 years when Jean passed away.
Then, Al was very fortunate to be reunited with his beautiful former classmate Doris Self (they were Magna schools classmates from 6th grade through high school). The two dated and love blossomed. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1980 and their marriage was truly a blissful one for 29 years until the end. All of Al's children were married in the Salt Lake Temple and this brought him great joy and peace.
Alfred served many years in LDS Church leadership positions. He was called as Bishop of the Valley Center Second Ward at age 33 and served for five years, after which he was called as First Counselor in two consecutive Millcreek Stake Presidencies until June 1977 (18 years combined).
His devoted wife Jean fully supported him in all of these callings. Al also served 11 years as High Priest Group Leader in the Millcreek Third Ward and he treasures the men with whom he served. Al was a Master M-Men and Eagle Scout. He was an incredible organizer and planner of stake events (including stake senior citizen parties).
He was a fantastic Master of Ceremonies and can tell the best jokes in the best way. Al rubbed shoulders with just about every apostle and every future president of the Church as stake conferences used to occur quarterly. He loved these Church leaders so much. The stake presidency always had them for dinner in their homes.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball spoke at a MC stake fireside just days before Pres. Harold B. Lee died without warning and Elder Kimball was thrust into being the President of the Church.
He witnessed and participated in one of the greatest periods in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 10/2 Grandchildren have served and/or are serving missions. Four are currently serving missions.
Al is survived by his sweetheart: Doris; children: Sharon Jean (Art) Garrison, Charlene (Paul) Brunstad, Janet (Doug) Metcalf, and Alfred Russell/Fred (Jenifer) Bennion; other children: Dr. Richard/Ric, (Kathy) Kunz, Jamie Kunz (Les) Lavenstein, Kelly (Diane) Kunz, 27/8 grandchildren; 13/8 great-grandchildren; youngest sister: Beverly McDonald; lifelong best friend: Jack Gardner; preceded in death by wife Jean, brothers Jack, Dale, and baby brother Lawrence Allen, and sisters Ruth Johnson, and Dorothy Smith, grandson Tyler Kunz, grandbaby Amanda Brunstad, great-grandbaby Eden Dowdle.
We will be having a viewing this Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12 Noon (with a viewing at 10:30 a.m.) in the Millcreek Stake Center, 4220 South 420 East, Murray, UT (Enter from 5th East).
Published in the Deseret News from 7/1/2009 - 7/2/2009.
Our dearest husband, Dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle passed away on Monday, June 29, 2009 at age 89 in the early morning hours at his home.
As the youngest son of six children from parents Earl Slade and Nellie Hayball Bennion, Alfred Hyrum Bennion was born March 15, 1920 in Magna, Utah.
His family was always happy despite living through the Great Depression. Al graduated from Cyprus High (Magna) and attended the University of Utah for three years until he joined the fight for the U.S. in World War II. At Cyprus High, Al played Varsity football alongside friend Pete Harman.
While at the U of U, Al was a Wrestling Champion, representing the U's Varsity Wrestling team. In World War II, Al served the army for four years as a talented mechanic and corporal in the motor pool. He served in both theaters of war. After World War II, Al and his brother Dale built from scratch, a thriving and impressive business: the Aladale Hatchery.
President Monson loves poultry and was a regular customer! Over the 35-year life of the business they hatched, sold or delivered 15 million baby chickens and one million baby turkey poults. They supplied the first chickens to KFC and were friends of Colonel Sanders. They also owned a turkey hatchery in Sacramento, California.
Dad could do anything. He wired the entire hatchery buildings. He welded; he fixed the fleet of 20 trucks and cars. His abilities were endless. If he needed something for the hatchery, he and Dale would just design it and manufacture it themselves.
In 1948, Al married his first sweetheart Jean Russell, who worked as an executive secretary for Jesse Evans Smith and Clyde Miller, Utah Secretary of State. Al and Jean had four beautiful children. Jean and Al were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and married for nearly 32 years when Jean passed away.
Then, Al was very fortunate to be reunited with his beautiful former classmate Doris Self (they were Magna schools classmates from 6th grade through high school). The two dated and love blossomed. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1980 and their marriage was truly a blissful one for 29 years until the end. All of Al's children were married in the Salt Lake Temple and this brought him great joy and peace.
Alfred served many years in LDS Church leadership positions. He was called as Bishop of the Valley Center Second Ward at age 33 and served for five years, after which he was called as First Counselor in two consecutive Millcreek Stake Presidencies until June 1977 (18 years combined).
His devoted wife Jean fully supported him in all of these callings. Al also served 11 years as High Priest Group Leader in the Millcreek Third Ward and he treasures the men with whom he served. Al was a Master M-Men and Eagle Scout. He was an incredible organizer and planner of stake events (including stake senior citizen parties).
He was a fantastic Master of Ceremonies and can tell the best jokes in the best way. Al rubbed shoulders with just about every apostle and every future president of the Church as stake conferences used to occur quarterly. He loved these Church leaders so much. The stake presidency always had them for dinner in their homes.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball spoke at a MC stake fireside just days before Pres. Harold B. Lee died without warning and Elder Kimball was thrust into being the President of the Church.
He witnessed and participated in one of the greatest periods in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 10/2 Grandchildren have served and/or are serving missions. Four are currently serving missions.
Al is survived by his sweetheart: Doris; children: Sharon Jean (Art) Garrison, Charlene (Paul) Brunstad, Janet (Doug) Metcalf, and Alfred Russell/Fred (Jenifer) Bennion; other children: Dr. Richard/Ric, (Kathy) Kunz, Jamie Kunz (Les) Lavenstein, Kelly (Diane) Kunz, 27/8 grandchildren; 13/8 great-grandchildren; youngest sister: Beverly McDonald; lifelong best friend: Jack Gardner; preceded in death by wife Jean, brothers Jack, Dale, and baby brother Lawrence Allen, and sisters Ruth Johnson, and Dorothy Smith, grandson Tyler Kunz, grandbaby Amanda Brunstad, great-grandbaby Eden Dowdle.
We will be having a viewing this Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12 Noon (with a viewing at 10:30 a.m.) in the Millcreek Stake Center, 4220 South 420 East, Murray, UT (Enter from 5th East).
Published in the Deseret News from 7/1/2009 - 7/2/2009.
As the youngest son of six children from parents Earl Slade and Nellie Hayball Bennion, Alfred Hyrum Bennion was born March 15, 1920 in Magna, Utah.
His family was always happy despite living through the Great Depression. Al graduated from Cyprus High (Magna) and attended the University of Utah for three years until he joined the fight for the U.S. in World War II. At Cyprus High, Al played Varsity football alongside friend Pete Harman.
While at the U of U, Al was a Wrestling Champion, representing the U's Varsity Wrestling team. In World War II, Al served the army for four years as a talented mechanic and corporal in the motor pool. He served in both theaters of war. After World War II, Al and his brother Dale built from scratch, a thriving and impressive business: the Aladale Hatchery.
President Monson loves poultry and was a regular customer! Over the 35-year life of the business they hatched, sold or delivered 15 million baby chickens and one million baby turkey poults. They supplied the first chickens to KFC and were friends of Colonel Sanders. They also owned a turkey hatchery in Sacramento, California.
Dad could do anything. He wired the entire hatchery buildings. He welded; he fixed the fleet of 20 trucks and cars. His abilities were endless. If he needed something for the hatchery, he and Dale would just design it and manufacture it themselves.
In 1948, Al married his first sweetheart Jean Russell, who worked as an executive secretary for Jesse Evans Smith and Clyde Miller, Utah Secretary of State. Al and Jean had four beautiful children. Jean and Al were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and married for nearly 32 years when Jean passed away.
Then, Al was very fortunate to be reunited with his beautiful former classmate Doris Self (they were Magna schools classmates from 6th grade through high school). The two dated and love blossomed. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 12, 1980 and their marriage was truly a blissful one for 29 years until the end. All of Al's children were married in the Salt Lake Temple and this brought him great joy and peace.
Alfred served many years in LDS Church leadership positions. He was called as Bishop of the Valley Center Second Ward at age 33 and served for five years, after which he was called as First Counselor in two consecutive Millcreek Stake Presidencies until June 1977 (18 years combined).
His devoted wife Jean fully supported him in all of these callings. Al also served 11 years as High Priest Group Leader in the Millcreek Third Ward and he treasures the men with whom he served. Al was a Master M-Men and Eagle Scout. He was an incredible organizer and planner of stake events (including stake senior citizen parties).
He was a fantastic Master of Ceremonies and can tell the best jokes in the best way. Al rubbed shoulders with just about every apostle and every future president of the Church as stake conferences used to occur quarterly. He loved these Church leaders so much. The stake presidency always had them for dinner in their homes.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball spoke at a MC stake fireside just days before Pres. Harold B. Lee died without warning and Elder Kimball was thrust into being the President of the Church.
He witnessed and participated in one of the greatest periods in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 10/2 Grandchildren have served and/or are serving missions. Four are currently serving missions.
Al is survived by his sweetheart: Doris; children: Sharon Jean (Art) Garrison, Charlene (Paul) Brunstad, Janet (Doug) Metcalf, and Alfred Russell/Fred (Jenifer) Bennion; other children: Dr. Richard/Ric, (Kathy) Kunz, Jamie Kunz (Les) Lavenstein, Kelly (Diane) Kunz, 27/8 grandchildren; 13/8 great-grandchildren; youngest sister: Beverly McDonald; lifelong best friend: Jack Gardner; preceded in death by wife Jean, brothers Jack, Dale, and baby brother Lawrence Allen, and sisters Ruth Johnson, and Dorothy Smith, grandson Tyler Kunz, grandbaby Amanda Brunstad, great-grandbaby Eden Dowdle.
We will be having a viewing this Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12 Noon (with a viewing at 10:30 a.m.) in the Millcreek Stake Center, 4220 South 420 East, Murray, UT (Enter from 5th East).
Published in the Deseret News from 7/1/2009 - 7/2/2009.
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