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Bernard Keith Ake, 87, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.

Astute businessman and true craftsman, Bernie enjoyed many activities such as gardening, baking, and model trains.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marianne, his 5 children: Wayne, Chip, Bryan, Tim, and Cindy; 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren; and brother: Paul Ake.

Funeral services for the family will be held at Bunker’s University Chapel.  He will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.

Lance Corporal Charles Dale Porter, our beloved Chas, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2020 at 1:29 pm in a motorcycle accident in La Jolla, California. He worked hard and played hard and had the kind of adventurous spirit that brought life into every room he walked into.

Chas was born in Provo, Utah on March 17, 2001 to Devan Stapley Porter and Olivia Justine Demek Porter. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Arizona and, with his cousins by his side, Chas quickly took life by the horns. Chas was an incredibly active child who enjoyed being outside as often as possible, climbing anything and everything. He loved swimming and trying his hand at any sport his mom would offer to sign him up for. T-ball, swim team, soccer; you name it, Chas was all for it.

Chas had an amazing ability to make his body do whatever he wanted it to. He loved rock climbing, hiking, running, swimming, ultimate frisbee, basketball, lacrosse, and weight training. He loved roller blading, biking, and boxing. He loved physical challenges that required mental strength. He could persevere like a pioneer!

Just before Chas started second grade, the family moved to the island of Alameda, CA, where the adventures for Chas just kept coming. He helped form the inaugural season of the Alameda Attack lacrosse team and went on to play for the team for eight years. He attended Otis Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, and Alameda High School and excelled in school. He took up the saxophone and joined marching band in middle school and jazz band in high school. It was also during this time that Chas began to compose music on the piano.

Chas was an amazing big brother. He was excited for each and every sibling that came to our home and he nurtured and cared for all of his brothers and sisters. When his mom went to law school, Chas stepped up to help in a big way by babysitting his siblings every afternoon for a couple of hours. He had a gift for teaching and used this gift to teach his brothers and sisters everything. From how to tie shoes to how to read to how to break into the house when you forgot the key; Chas was his siblings go-to guy.

Just prior to his sophomore year, the family moved back to Arizona. Chas worked side by side with his father, renovating the family home. He relished in the demolition, ripping out kitchen cabinets, tearing up tile and carpet, opening walls and single handedly removing a cast-iron bathtub. He also took great pride in his craftsmanship and building skills. He built beams, closed walls, painted and stained walls and doors, and laid a ton of rock. His favorite project was a giant barn door he and his dad made from recycled wood.

After graduating from Arcadia High School in 2019, Chas enlisted in the Marines because he wanted to be useful to his community and serve his country. He also joined because he knew it would push him to reach new physical and mental heights. Chas loved a challenge! After graduating boot camp in January 2020, he began training to become a part of the Marine’s special forces Reconnaissance division. He graduated from the Basic Reconnaissance Course and became a member of Force Recon in December of 2020.

Chas is survived by his parents, Devan and Olivia; his brothers, Benjamin and Isaac; his sisters, Avery and June; his grandparents, Dale and Jana Porter, Charles and Juneanne Demek; lots of amazing cousins, aunts, and uncles. Thankfully, Chas is not alone, as he was preceded in death by his loving Grammy and two cousins, Kylie and James.

Chas lived life to the fullest! He loved his family and friends. He loved music, adventure, and the outdoors. The separation will be painful, but the reunion will be amazing. We love you, Chasbo.

Larry Alfred Philp, our sweet Dad, Grandad, Uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Buckeye, Arizona, the evening of January 6th, 2021. Larry was 90 years old.

Larry was born in Claypool, Arizona on December 14th, 1930 to Fidelia (Rose) and Alfred Philp. He grew up in Miami, Arizona  and lived a happy childhood full of work, play, friends, and family. The Philp family worked together to face the trials of the Great Depression. But Larry’s memories of his childhood only included the blessings of frugal living, hard work, and making the best of what you’ve got. Many of Larry’s childhood friends remained a part of his life to the end.

Larry graduated from Miami High School and Arizona State University. He met and married Betty Spears and had his first child, Dana Philp. Sadly, the marriage was short lived.

When our country called, Larry immediately responded by joining the US Army 96th Field Artillery Battalion. Larry served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and in the Army Reserves until 1960. Larry was awarded a Purple Heart during his service in Korea. His staunch patriotism was reflected in his military service and continued throughout his life. Larry Philp loved his country and honored those who sacrificed for it.

Upon returning to Arizona, Larry began work at the Miami Copper Company. He loved to spend time with his daughter Dana. Larry often took Dana camping, fishing, target shooting, boating and water skiing. As an early member of the Cobre Valley Country Club, Dad and Dana would often swim and play at the pool. He taught Dana to love and respect nature and the outdoors.

Larry met Diane Pace at a Ward pot luck dinner. They began dating and they were married June 22nd,1963 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. They moved to Phoenix where Larry worked at Goodyear Aerospace and Diane taught school at Cortez High School. Eventually, they purchased a new home in the growing suburb of Glendale. They loved their new Phoenix West Stake and 17th Ward and fit right in with the newly married couples and growing families in the ward.

After five years and many prayers, Larry and Diane welcomed their daughter, Diana, in 1968. Diana was full of energy and talked and asked questions non-stop. Larry patiently endured and did his best to keep up with all of her talking, talking, talking. As the school years went by, Larry, the engineering and numbers whiz, was tasked with teaching Diana how to do math. Diana was not a numbers whiz and these endless homework sessions at the dining room table were often accompanied by much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth! However, as adults, Diana and Larry were very close and shared a love for America, Mexican food, and Frank Sinatra. Larry lived with Diana and her family for the last few years of his life and she was honored and grateful to have been his caregiver. 

In 1970, Larry accepted a position with Motorola in Scottsdale. For many years, he drove his 1955 GMC pickup truck to work and back, often having to improvise to keep it ‘functioning’. At Motorola, Larry used his sharp analytical mind and a keen attention to technical detail. He was known for catching small calculation errors that would have caused major problems. He excelled at Motorola and proved to be a very valuable employee.

In 1975, at age 45, Larry (and Diane) had their son Michael. Larry shared his love of sports, mechanics, aircraft, and the outdoors with Michael. Despite the age gap, they shared a special relationship and were not only father and son, but best of friends.

Larry was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. He studied the scriptures and did his best to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served tirelessly in many callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as a Bishop, and in Bishoprics, as a homeless support specialist, a missionary, a Temple worker, a High Councilor, and Stake Clerk among many other callings. However, he was and always will be, known for his work with the young men in the boy-scouts. Larry was the scoutmaster. He devoted himself to teaching young men what it means to be a man through love, sacrifice, honor, and dependability. Larry truly lived the scout oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” Today many of his former scouts have families of their own and continue to pass these values on to the next generation of young men and women.

Larry retired from Motorola in 1995. This allowed him to focus more on family history, church service, and self improvement. He joined Michael in classes at Glendale Community College to continue his education purely for the love of learning. 

In 2001, Larry and Diane moved from their home in Glendale to Avondale. They immediately made many dear friends and began again to love and serve those around them.

In 2004, Larry and Diane served a full time mission at the family history center at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Larry was fully engaged in family history research and loved to help people find records of their loved ones. In addition, he found hundreds of records pertaining to members of his own family. He was always ready to show off his family tree and family history research to anyone who would listen.

In 2018, when circumstances required, Larry and Diane moved to Buckeye to live with Diana. Diana and her family loved and cared for Larry for the rest of his life. Diane passed away in November of 2019. Larry was only apart from his sweetheart for a year before reuniting with her, never again to be separated.

Larry will be remembered for doing things his way. He marched to the beat of his own drummer and was unique in every sense of the word. From the way he spoke, to the way he stood, to the way he ate his french fries, Dad was an original. We could literally fill a book full of the funny things Dad did and said.  He was the model of stoic consistency for our family. He was our rock. He loved, he served, he worked, he laughed, and he prayed. 

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Fidelia and Alfred, his sister Nancy (Seth) and his beloved wife Diane. He is survived by his three children Dana Philp (Jan), Diana Weight (Ryan), and Michael Philp (JodiAnn) as well as his three grandchildren Pace Weight, and Bailey and Maddie Philp.

Services will be held graveside on Tuesday January 19th at 11:00am at the Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery (23100 W. Broadway Rd. Buckeye, AZ). The service will also be live streamed on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/diana.weight)

We will always love you Daddy.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant”

Chad J. Carling, 89, peacefully passed through the veil and on to the other side, hand in hand with our sweet mother, on Saturday January 9, 2021. Chad made his grand entrance to this world on October 27, 1931, as the firstborn to Claude Merritt Carling and Cleo Cummings Carling in Flowell Utah.

Chad loved growing up on the old Carling Ranch in Flowell, where he learned the value of hard work. These values stuck with him his entire life and without a doubt, was the hardest working man that ever lived. He attended schools in Flowell and Fillmore Utah and later went on to attend B.A.C in Cedar City Utah, which is now known as Southern Utah University, where he so proudly played his beloved football.

Chad later joined the Air Force and served his country with pride and dignity. He was a fighter jet weapons mechanic while serving in the Korean War, and Chad knew everything there was to know about every airplane ever made.

After returning home from Korea Chad was stationed at Luke Air Force Base and ended up in Mesa Arizona at the old Mezona dance hall where he met his eternal sweetheart, Ludene Dees. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 14, 1954. Together they raised five beautiful children: Chad Gary, Gayle, DeeAnn, Sherri Gwyn, and Randy Dale.

Chad was good at anything he ever did and was a perfectionist. He always had the most beautiful yard on the street, a garden that produced delicious and beautiful vegetables, and the very best tomatoes ever grown outside the state of Utah. And we certainly can’t forget to mention his gorgeous citrus orchard where he grew the sweetest oranges, tangelos, lemons and grapefruit. He was known for many years as the “Orange Man” in Mesa and many small towns outside the Phoenix area. He always took such great pride in his home and was so proud of his beautiful property.

Chad wore many hats and wore them with pride. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, son-in-law, and friend. His family meant everything to him and was always there to lend a helping hand and could fix and do anything. Chad was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints and served in many organizations throughout his life. He had a strong testimony of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and acknowledged the Lord’s hand in all things. The calling he enjoyed the very most was working in the scouting program alongside his two sons and endured many pinewood derby’s and campouts.

Chad is proceeded in death by his eternal companion, Ludene, parents Claude and Cleo Carling, and 2 brother- in-laws, Rex Harris and Kent Stewart. He is survived by his five children; Chad Gary (Lynette), Gayle Workman (Mark), DeeAnn Garner (Lee), Sherri Stradling ( Darton) and Randy Carling. Mom and dad’s legacy lives on through their posterity of 16 grandchildren and 33 ¾ Great Grandchildren.

Dad also is survived by three wonderful siblings whom he loved very much: Charles Carling (Janet), Lois Harris, and Sharon Stewart, all of Utah.

Funeral services for Chad will be held at the Maricopa Stake Center at 613 N. Stewart St. Mesa, Arizona 85201 on Wednesday January 27, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing at 10:00 a.m.

The Carling family wishes to thank everyone in dad’s life that has helped him in any way, especially later on in his life as his needs grew. We are especially grateful for your patience, love, and understanding. As dad would say “Carry on”.

Because of the Covid virus we respectfully ask for all attending in person to please wear a mask. For those not attending in person, the family invites you to be part of our dad’s services by joining us via Zoom with the meeting ID 91789749908 at 11:00 AM January 27, 2021.

** To watch the service virtually please click this link**

http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/mesaarizonaeaststake

Clyde Edwin Lott, age 72, passed away on the morning of Sunday, January 10. He was lovingly surrounded by family. Clyde was born on August 19, 1948 in Tremonton, Utah to Peter “Ted” Edwin and Ella Mae Williams Lott. Most of his childhood years he lived in Blackfoot, Idaho and had many fond memories there. He graduated from Blackfoot High School and attended Brigham Young University. This is where he met and fell in love with Julia Dawn Tryon. They were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 9, 1971. She meant everything to him and he was so grateful for having almost 50 years together.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in the West German Mission after high school. He loved the German people and sought out any opportunity to share his experiences of his time there. He faithfully served in many capacities in the church throughout his life.

Clyde worked in the lumber and door industry for many years. He was proud to be known as “The Lumber Man”. He also loved his post-retirement job of driving the bus for Brookdale Assisted Living. He had a gift for making people feel happy and loved.

He is preceded in death by his father Peter “Ted”, mother Ella Mae, sister Sherrie and brother Allen. Clyde is survived and loved by his wife, Julia Dawn and his six children: Stuart (Lynette) Lott of Indianapolis, Indiana; Dallan (Mandee) Lott of Verrado, Arizona; Susan (Jeff) Tenney of Gilbert, Arizona; Stephanie (Scott) Bainbridge of Murray, Utah; Janeil (Josh Eames) Lott of Sparwood, British Columbia; Nathan (Kim) Lott of Indianapolis, Indiana; and 18 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Kevin (Sally) Lott of Corvallis, Montana and his sisters Julie (Randy) Rosencrantz of Layton, Utah and Cindy (Jamie Henderson) Hopper of Atlanta, Georgia.

The most important things to Clyde were his family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyone who knew Clyde will remember his concern for others and his happy nature which earned him the nickname of “Mr. Smiley”. He truly left people better than he found them.

We are heartbroken to share that on Tuesday, January 6, 2021, Christon Conrad Allen, beloved husband and father of four children, passed away at the age of 69.

Chris was born on November 9, 1951, in Safford, Arizona to Conrad and Kay Allen. He graduated from Mesa High School in 1969 and Arizona State University with a degree in business. He loved his country and served honorably in the US Navy for four years, stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk in the Vietnam War. On October 25, 1975 he married the love of his life, Deborrah Lynn Burnham. Together they raised two daughters, Heather and Rebecca and two sons, Daniel and Nathaniel.

His devotion and love for his Savior and others was evident in the way he served. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings, among which his favorites included Institute and Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Cub Master, and Primary Pianist. He was especially dedicated to the families he ministered to as a Home Teacher, as one special Home Teacher had been instrumental in his own wife and children joining the church.

His business efforts focused primarily on helping business owners structure their businesses for capital growth. This form of development helped businesses grow and otherwise expand into new markets and helped business owners achieve their goals. He loved working with new and small businesses. He believed this was where the most value could be created and success achieved.

Dad was a man of many interests, hobbies, and talents. He fell in love with magic at a young age, and many knew him best by his stage name Professor Presto. He performed many shows all over the state of Arizona and across the US, he also appeared on TV on the Hollywood Palace. Dad considered himself a chef, a poet, a composer, an author, a matchmaker, a singer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, and a gardener, amongst many other titles. Dad was widely read, and always ready to share insight into the deeper meanings of life. He loved to laugh and was never afraid to poke fun at himself and others, yet he was also quick to give a compliment and make you feel like you were the most talented person in the world.

Chris was preceded in death by his father, Conrad, his mother Kay and his brother Kevin. He is survived by his wife Debbie, his four children and 16 grandchildren: Heather Prusse (husband Chad, children Zackery, Conner, Halle, Luke and Jackson), Daniel (wife Lynzie, children Evelyn, Micah, Ezra, Levi, Gabriel and Esther), Nathaniel (wife Rachel, children Simon, Violet, Wren, and Wells) and Rebecca Hipps (husband Zach, daughter Claire); his siblings Noel, Cory, Shawn, Melodee, Elizabeth, Anti and Ronnie, as well many other family and friends too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 14th at  920 S. Lindsay Rd. Mesa, AZ at 10:00 a.m. He will be buried on Thursday, January 14th at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E. Queen Creek Rd. Gilbert, AZ at 11:45 pm. We ask all those in attendance to wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines. The family humbly requests that in lieu of flowers, families and friends can make a donation to the Desert-Marigold School, in honor of the years Chris dedicated to Waldolf education in Arizona and Utah. https://desertmarigold.org/giving/tax-credit/

**To watch a live stream of the services, click here**: https://youtu.be/xpH-fH–iAw

He was a loving husband and the best father.  He died peacefully on the evening of January 2, 2020 at Chandler Regional Medical center in Arizona surrounded by his loving two children: Sandy and Jose.  He was born on November 21, 1937 in Tepatitlan, Jalisco Mexico.  He was one of 5 children born to Felipa And Jose Gonzalez. Jesus is survived by his wife Angelina Gonzalez, his 2 children: Jose and Sandy, and his 2 grandchildren: Nicholas and Samantha who lovingly called him “Tito”.  His catholic funeral mass will be on Friday January 15, 2020 at 1030 am at Holy Cross Catholic Parish in Mesa, Arizona. Burial will be at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.

Lorenzo Harris, 55, born April 10^th, 1965 was called home January 1, 2021 in Tucson, AZ. Lorenzo lived a very happy, active life filled with family friends, many activities such as family BBQ’s with sisters, brothers, children, and Grandchildren.

Lorenzo is survived by his children Hector, Lorenzo, Alfredo, Jeffrey, SaVon, Amaya, Meadow, and Shane, longtime significant other Angelique, sisters and brothers Cynthia, Bernie, Carentha, Felicia, Leonard Harris, and Lee North. Proceeded in Death, daughter Rita Harris, Sister JoAnna and brothers Jonathan, Benson Harris, Parents Odelia Elsmere, and Leonard Harris.

Graveside Service:

Saturday January 16, 2021 at 9:00AM

Catholic Cemetery

2707 W. Arrow Weed Road

Blackwater, Arizona

**To view virtually, please click the link**

Online Broadcast Information: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/

Event Code: 80770

Bryn Johnson, 64, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on January 9th, 2021 with the love and purpose of his life by his side. Bryn was born on December 7th, 1956 to Fred and Marjorie Johnson. At the young age of 14, he met and instantly fell in love with LeeAnn West. They have been together ever since. After they were married on March 4th, 1975, Bryn attended Brigham Young University on a gymnastics scholarship. After completing law school, Bryn and LeeAnn returned to Mesa where they raised 10 children together.

Bryn led a life defined by humility, compassion and service. Every decision he made and every dollar he spent was designed to benefit the lives of those around him. His greatest happiness came from spending time with his sweetheart LeeAnn and coordinating massively fun campouts for his children, the youth from church, and later, his grandchildren. Bryn was a skilled and compassionate attorney and has blessed the lives of many through his work. He was a master teacher and a captivating story teller. Bryn preserved his memories and experiences by writing beautiful stories that he often shared with those who had influenced his life. His writings are treasured by his family. One cannot think of Bryn without remembering his sense of humor, his infectious laugh, his generous heart, his love for his wife and family and his devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was serving, loving and thinking of others until the very end.

Bryn is survived by his eternal companion, LeeAnn and by his 10 children: Jaime (Andy), Jeremy (Cody), Julianne (Scott), Jenny (Paul), Joshua (Emily), Jakob, Jedidiah (Melanie), Jadon (Heather), Jaren (Alexa), and Justin (Colleen). He is also survived by 31 grandchildren and siblings Mckay, Lee, EJ, Jared, Webb, Jeanie, Teri, Scott, and Ron.

Lloyd Edward Harper was born on September 27,1933 in Mesa, AZ  to LeRoy and May Ella Coffman Harper.  He passed away on January 8, 2021 at 87 years of age.

He was proceeded in death by his loving wife, of 63 years Sophie Cummins Harper and two children his first-born Debra Harper Garvin, and his last-born, Dirk D. Harper.

His children are Debra and (Kirk) Garvin

Lyle and (Susan) Harper

Mark and (Lanette) Harper

Tanya and (Rich) Hansen

Tory and (Meg) Harper

Andra and (David) Johnson

Dayn Harper

Dirk and (Rachel) Harper

He had 30 Grandchildren and 37 Great Grandchildren.

Between the time he was born and the time he passed from this life, He played ball. He married his sweetheart, and he played ball, He served in the Air Force and he played ball. He raised 8 children, and he played ball. He worked for Salt River Project for 58 and ½ years and he played ball.  He served his Father in Heaven in many different ways in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and he played ball.  He loved his Family and he loved his Friends and he loved playing ball.

Memorial Services for Lloyd Harper are being held on Wednesday January 13th at10:00 AM

Chandler Arizona East Stake

21320 South Greenfield RoadGILBERT, Arizona85298-9309

Roy Alan Connolly, born October 5, 1951, was called home Monday, January 4, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. Roy led a very happy life filled with family, friends, and activities such as woodworking, automotive mechanics, and his church.  He is survived by his wife Helen, children Spencer, Charla, Roy Neil, Benjamin, Rebecca, and Renae, and 8 grandchildren.  Public viewing is on Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s University Chapel.  Funeral services are Friday, January 15, 2021 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the LDS ward building at 616 S. Extension in Mesa, Arizona.   

Roy Connolly is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Funeral for Roy A. Connolly

Time: Jan 15, 2021 11:00 AM Arizona

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84665409208?pwd=K0ZGcnI1ekNOY3dmMk1YZGFNRTFuQT09

Meeting ID: 846 6540 9208          Passcode: 97sF6V

Joseph Adam was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 19, 1928 to Joseph John and Burtice May Heil. Joseph Adam was the eldest of eight children. He was preceded in death by his Wife Mary Ann Heil, His Parents, Brothers Gilbert, James and Charles, Sisters Dolores, and Helena and Grandson Daniel Michael Heil. He is survived by his three children Joseph Michael Heil (Janette), Kay Heil Franklin (Douglas) and Thomas Richard Heil and his Brother John Carroll Heil (Pat) and Sister Shirley Heil Jenson. Seven Grandchildren Derrick Adam, Tamara, Katie, Joseph Matthew, Elise, Maximilian, and Sean Christian. Nine Great Grand Children Aliya, Talon, Tanner, Evey, Tayla, Haven, Sebastian, Lucas, and Joseph Denver. Joseph Adam was a lifelong resident of Mesa and Pine Arizona.

Joseph Adam married his darling wife Mary Ann Green on July 28, 1953 in Mesa Arizona, they shared 67 years together raising their children and building a life together. Joseph Adam early years consisted of serving 10 years in the Arizona National Guard. Joseph Adam donated his time and skills building homes with his brothers and friends and helping the community with building churches throughout Arizona. Joseph Adam was known for his masonry and woodworks, his craftmanship was truly extraordinary. His final days were spent surrounded by family. In loving Memory of our Gentle and Patient Father and Grandfather Joseph Adam Heil, we will dearly miss you.

Our beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Fell Squires, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2021 in Ogden, Utah. Jack was born August 17, 1931 in Logan, Utah to George Walter and Harriet Viola Harris Squires.  He graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and the Biological Sciences. He served in the U.S. Army as an active duty member, as a member of the Sixth U.S. All Army Reserve Rifle Team and was an Army Reserve member until he retired after 30 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

Jack married the love of his life, Ina Jean Mecham on June 11, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. At the time of Jean’s death, they had been married 67 years. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as a young man, served a mission to the Southwest Indian Mission.  He continued to serve his church in many callings, including temple ordinance worker, counselor in the stake presidency, bishop, Church Education Missionary with his wife, Jean, in South Africa and as president of the Enugu, Nigeria mission. He most loved his calling of being a Scoutmaster for over twenty years.  He assisted over 80 young men in becoming Eagle Scouts. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor given by the Theodore Roosevelt  Council to recognize distinguished service.

Two of Jack’s favorite activities were hiking and fishing. He hiked over 900 miles in the Grand Canyon and all over the state of Arizona, including Aravaipa, Fossil Creek, Mount Baldy, Four Peaks, Rainbow Bridge, Weaver’s Needle, Paria Canyon, Lee’s Ferry, Reavis Ranch, Horton Springs and Bluff Spring Mountain, to name a few. A favorite saying of his was, “We put the outing in scouting”.  If a body of water were nearby on any of these hikes, he had a fishing pole in hand.

Jack began his teaching career in 1968 and was a biology teacher at Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona from 1969 until his retirement in 1993. He coached Cross Country, ran the “chain gang” at football games, worked as a starter at track meets, had many unusual animals as pets, was known by everyone as “Popcorn Jack” and was a friend to all. Men like Jack are one in a billion. You were fortunate to know him.

Jack’s wife, Jean, preceded him in death as did his brother, Harry.  He is survived by his five children: Brad (Lori) Squires, of Las Vegas, Nevada; Lori (Rod) Ohmart of Pine, Arizona; Tammy (Trey) Whiting of Mesa, Arizona; Marie (Chuck) Chase of Ogden, Utah; Michael (Lara) Squires of Gilbert, Arizona; 30 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Marcia Kay (Kent) Christensen, of Logan, Utah.

Our beloved, cherished, & beautiful mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, Irma Currier (Oma), 85 years old, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2021 in Mesa, AZ. Irma was born to Xaver & Theresia Eckstein in1935 in Heidelberg, Germany; she was the youngest girl of 8 children.

Left to carry on her traditions are her son Richard P. Currier and his wife Tiina of Sun Lakes, AZ; her daughter Faith L. Currier of Mesa, AZ;  and her two granddaughters Megan and Samantha Currier of Blackstone, MA and many, many, many nieces and nephews.

Irma lived a very happy active life filled with family, friends, her fur babies and many activities such as reading, craft sales, and her wonderful talent of sewing specialized gifts for her family and friends. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant and contagious smile, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from too many people to name individually, but including family and friends – either through prayer, calls, and/or visits.

Anyone who was blessed enough to know her loved her immediately and felt blessed to have her in their life. She will be missed more than words could ever say.

“Traci Dawn Brimhall passed away on January 5, 2021 at the age of 35 in the arms of her loving husband Joseph at their home in Mesa, AZ after a six-month fight against Leukemia.  Traci was born February 24, 1985 in Cedar City, Utah. Traci deeply loved her husband and children.  She had great love and trust in the Lord and always tried to follow his guidance.  She was full of kindness and love for all people, which made for many very good friends in the many places that they called home.  Traci was a licensed personal trainer and enjoyed helping others reach their goals.  She had a talent for bringing people together where ever she was whether at the gym or the cancer center or coaching.  She had a passion for life and determination for becoming the best that she could possibly be physically and mentally.  Her husband and her four children were her inspiration to push and become better.  Her smile and positive outlook will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband, Joseph and her four children, Tanner, Logan, Averi, Abby and by her parents Cole Adams and Dawn Rodriguez and her siblings Jason Adams and Whitni Wille.  Visitation is on Thursday January 14th, 6-8PM at the Bunker Family – Garden Chapel – 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa 85201. Funeral Services are Friday January 15th, 10AM at the LDS chapel – 1430 N. Grand, Mesa 85201. She will be buried Saturday January 16th, 11AM at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery – 400 Center St. Taylor AZ 85939. Flowers can be sent to Bunker Family Garden Chapel – 33 N. Centennial Way Mesa 85201 by 2PM Thursday January 14th.  There will be a livestream of the funeral on zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81828193918. There has been a Go Fund Me page set up for the family to help with expenses “Help Traci Brimhall Fight Leukemia”.  The mortuary is Bunker Family Funerals (www.bunkerfuneral.com).”

Paul Michael Lee was born February 10, 1936 in Portland, Oregon to Frances Lorene King and Cecil Summey Lee. His sister, Linda Zoe joined the family, only to pass away leaving him an only child. Mike was incredibly curious and was known to take things apart to learn how they worked.

In high school, he joined the ROTC, which got him ready for serving in the Air Force. Mike also worked on a variety of jobs, but the most unusual one was working on the rails for the railroad. He joined the Air Force and was almost stationed in Iceland, when at the last second, he was transferred to Kirtland Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he met Shirlene Lewis. After two weeks, he proposed and they were later married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on May 16, 1958.

Their first daughter, Michelle was born the following February. The family moved to California soon after where their second daughter, Cindy was born. The family moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1962. Almost 7 ½  years passed before their third daughter, Kristine was born. During their 62 years of marriage, Mike and Shirlene shared many different experiences together including serving a four-year mission to the Mesa Family History Center.

Mike was always a people person and loved talking to everyone that he came in contact with. He knew how to make each person feel special. This was evident in all of his church callings and with those he associated with. He may have only had three daughters but Mike also loved his extended family. He adopted many of his daughters’ friends into the family and called them his sons and daughters.

The family is grateful for technology that allowed them to be with Mike until he passed away on December 31, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Shirlene Lee, and his daughters, Michelle, Cindy, and Krissy Lee. He will be greatly missed.