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Lynn Ray Mullenaux, a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and servant to his fellow man, returned home to our Heavenly Father, on Friday, June 28, 2019. The son of Wesley and Lillian Petersen Mullenaux, he was born on July 20, 1940, in Thatcher, AZ and raised in Mesa, AZ., along with his siblings, Clarene, Martha, Jean, Donna, Kent (all now deceased) and Larry Mullenaux. He attended and graduated from Mesa High School.

An outstanding athlete, Lynn played football for Eastern Arizona College and then on scholarship at Brigham Young University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. He taught high school and coached football at St. Johns High School and later in life, coached track at Round Valley High School. In between, he was president of Mullenaux Concrete and a partner in W. R. Skousen Contractor, Inc. and lived in his beloved Lehi, AZ. He lived one of his dreams for a few years as a rancher on the desert outside Apache Junction. He also became accomplished as a carpenter. He made life-long friends all along the way who shared his joy for fishing, hunting, and playing cards.

Lynn Mullenaux loved people and loved to serve them. He was never ‘too busy” to go to help family, a friend or stranger in need. He could fix and repair about anything. He was a devoted friend who could be trusted implicitly. These skills and life choices served him well as a devoted husband, brother, father, loving grandfather, friend, and missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He, along with his wife of 60 years, Sherrie Ruth Skousen Mullenaux, served in 2 missions: the Jackson, Mississippi and Nauvoo, Illinois. He also served tirelessly in various church callings, including Bishop’s counselor, Young Men’s President and High Council.

Lynn and Sherrie have 7 children, Robert Wayde (deceased), Michele Rae Farr, Devin Keith, Melisha Ruth Brown (deceased), Mark Niels (deceased), Daniel Lynn and Misty Kay Kelly; 26 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.  He will be missed greatly.

Services for Lynn will be Saturday, July 13^th, beginning with the Interment, at 9:00 a.m. in Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St, Mesa, AZ  85207. The Memorial Service will then commence at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ on 2265 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa, AZ  85208.  

Gary A. Walton, 67, of Gilbert, AZ passed away June 30, 2019.  He was born to Vern and Zula Belle Walton in Casa Grande, AZ on November 10, 1951.  Gary’s life was spent in service to his family, friends, community, and church.  For thirty years he worked as a Captain/Paramedic with the City of Mesa Fire Department.  Gary was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served faithfully in various leadership and teaching capacities but his first love was teaching the youth.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, cowboy poetry, singing, gardening, hunting, and road trips with friends.  Gary’s quick wit, ready smile and willingness to help will be missed by all who knew him.  He is survived by his wife Frances, children Neil Walton (Megan), Chad Walton (Kristin), Becky Thruston (Artie), Lisa Thruston (Austin), Christopher Walton, Clara Goodman (Van), twelve grandchildren, his siblings Chuck Walton (Pam), Judy Clawson (Gary), Diane Ball (John), Scott Walton (Carrie), and Grant Walton (Laura) & Glenna Walton.  He also leaves many nieces and nephews and cousins.  Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Zula Walton, his brother Vern (Bud) Walton, Jr., and sister-in-law, Joan Walton.  There is a visitation Friday, July 12, 2019 from 6pm to 8pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.  Funeral services are Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 11am, preceded by a visitation at 10am, located at 4629 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, AZ. 

Rockford Ray Riggs Jr. (Ray) passed away at 86 peacefully in his home on July 3, 2019.

Ray was first born on six brothers, parents of Rockford Ray Riggs and Julia Anna Riggs on March 29, 1933 in St. Johns, Arizona.

Ray graduated from West High in Phoenix, Arizona and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Army and he reported to Fort Ord in California.  When he came home from boot camp he met our beautiful Burnetta Sue Wahlin.  They both were smitten with each other, had a short courtship and were married in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11, 1954.

Ray was deployed to Wiesbaden Germany shortly after their honeymoon and Sue joined him in Germany a few months later.  Ray served in Germany approximately 1 – ½ years, during which time Rockford Ray Riggs III was born.  It was shortly after that Ray was honorably discharged April of 1956 and the family returned back to Arizona.

A year later Ray, Sue and Rocky were off to Utah, where Ray attended 1 semester at Brigham Young University until hunting season started and that was the end of that.

They came back to Phoenix, Arizona where Julianne was born May 31, 1959.

Ray started working a successful real-estate Company with his father, Rockford Ray Riggs, he gave it a try, but soon realized office life wasn’t for him.  That’s when he started working and enjoying construction and was a superintendent and heavy equipment operator as he loved the outdoors.

Ray led a happy, active life filled with family, friends and activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, playing cards, watching western movies, and loved watching and supporting his kids and grandchildren in all their different sporting events.

Ray served a Stake Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with many other church callings such as Sunday School superintendent etc.  He enjoyed coaching basketball and baseball and through that he helped many young men fulfill their own missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ray will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.  He is survived by Burnetta Sue of 65 years, children Rockford Ray Riggs III and Julianne Jarvis, 11 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1483 N. Driftwood, Gilbert, Arizona on Friday, July 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., viewing for family and friends will start at 10:00 a.m

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Kim, a loving mother, sister, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on June 30, 2019.

Kim Suzanne McKay Bishop, 61, was born on June 11, 1958 in Casa Grande, Arizona. She was raised in the town of Picacho, Arizona, where she enjoyed riding horses and helping out at the family restaurant. She graduated from Santa Cruz Valley Union High School in 1976.

During her life, she owned and operated a clothing consignment shop in Casa Grande, worked in the restaurant business, and was a licensed massage therapist. She is known to have regularly said to her daughter, “Why are you tired? At your age, I was working three jobs!”

Kim, a master at finding a good deal, enjoyed going to yard sales and thrift stores to “pop some tags.” She also loved to cook and would offer any visitors a taste of her world famous crock-pot beans.

Kim was a devoted and thoughtful mother of three who made sure that her children received every educational opportunity. She was supportive of her kids’ endeavors and never missed a marching band, theater, or singing performance.

She will be sorely missed and survived by her children Kiley Bishop, Bryce Bishop, and Blayze Bishop, as well as her three sisters Karen McKay, Brenda McKay McKee, and Cheryl McKay Coxon. She was preceded in death by her mother Colleen Tidwell McKay and father Bill Cash McKay.

A celebration of Kim’s life will be held at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201 on Saturday, July 20, 2019 beginning at 11:00am. A reception will follow at Greenfield Glen Community Center, 1021 South Greenfield Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206.

Mark Lee Carpenter was born March 30, 1956 in Mesa, Arizona, the fourth of six children of Weston and Lela Carpenter. He grew up in Mesa, attending schools there and graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in advertising.

As a child, Mark was friendly, cheerful, and enterprising. In grade school at Holmes Elementary, he sold Daffy Pop suckers to his classmates.  He managed to earn quite a tidy sum for himself before school officials put a stop to his booming business. They seemed to think   the other children should be spending their lunch money on “real” food.

Some of Mark’s other youthful interests included playing the clarinet, bike-riding, and doing impressive unicycle stunts with his brother and a favorite cousin. As he went into his young adult years, sports cars and dating replaced other occupations.

His penchant for speed led Mark to pursue snow skiing and professional mountain biking. He won numerous awards and trophies in the latter category, making friends with other athletes along the way. He designed, built, and landscaped a luxurious custom home in north Mesa, where he lived for several years. He also owned and managed CBK, a manufacturing company, for quite some time.

Several years ago, family members began noticing a decline in Mark’s health and mental acuity. He was eventually diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s. For the last two years, Mark has resided with nephew Scott Lucas and his wife Stacey, along with their children Ethan and McKenzie.  After going through two divorces and living alone for a while, Mark was finally an integral part of a family situation. It was something he’d always longed for.

The Weston Carpenter family expresses deepest gratitude to Scott and Stacey for the untiring care and love given to Mark in his final years. He passed away quietly on the morning of Saturday, June 29, surrounded by loved ones. He is finally free of the suffering he endured for so long!

Mark will be greatly missed, but his kindness, humor, and generosity will live on in the hearts of those who knew him best. He is survived by his five siblings:  Sue Lucas (and Ray) of Payson, Utah; Janice Seever (and Bart) of Queen Creek, AZ; Robert Carpenter (and Renee) of Roy, Utah; Cathy Thompson (and Kelly) of Gilbert, AZ; and Russ Carpenter (and Lynn) of Scottsdale, AZ. As “the cool uncle,” Mark also leaves behind a large number of adoring nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held this Saturday, July 6, at 10 a.m. at the Bunker Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. It will be preceded by a family visiting hour from nine to 10:00. There will be no viewing.

William “Todd” Williams passed away peacefully, after a long battle with cancer, at home with family by his side on June 22, 2019 at the age of 66.

Todd was born in Fallon, NV on April 5, 1953 to William “Bill” and Carol Ann Williams. The family moved to Southern CA in 1954 where Todd grew up and graduated from Ramona High School in Riverside in 1971.  He loved flying and was fortunate enough to get his Private Pilot’s license when he was 16 while working at the family run Cessna Dealership, Par Flight, in Riverside.

Todd moved onto working in the remodeling industry obtaining his CA Contractor’s license and started his own business selling and installing Aluminum Patio Covers before moving to Mesa, AZ in 1983 to work with a friend in the remodeling business.  He met his wife, Michelle, in 1985, in Laughlin NV.  He enjoyed telling the story how “I could marry that girl” which he did in March 1987.  Together they had one son, Michael Williams and two stepsons, Christopher and Brian Knox.

In 1989 Todd obtained his AZ General Contractor and Remodeling Licenses and he and Michelle started their own remodeling company, Phoenix Patio Systems, Inc. which they worked at and grew together for over 28 years, making many friends along the way, before selling and retiring in 2018.

Todd had a great sense of humor and a unique ability to make people laugh. There was rarely a quiet moment or dry eye when Todd was in the room. He was also somewhat of a foodie, enjoying time spent meal planning, cooking and grocery shopping. He loved having family over and cooking for everyone during the holidays. He also loved sporting events, especially football, and supported his children and grandchildren’s teams as well as The Arizona Cardinals (since their inception), thus making most of the family Cardinal Fans too.

Todd is preceded in death by his grandparents: Chet & Simona (Posey) Williams, Tempe, AZ, and Grant and Ruth (McDonald) Cook, of Los Angeles, CA and parents: Bill and Carol Ann (Cook) Williams of Riverside CA.

Todd was a very hard worker, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife Michelle of 34 years, sons, Michael Williams of Chandler, AZ, Christopher Knox (wife Tiffany) of Gilbert, AZ and Brian Knox (wife Cassandra) of Apache Junction, AZ; grandchildren, David, Ethan, Andrew, Anzlie, Landon, Ciera and Cohen Knox; siblings, Brett Williams (wife Karolyn) of Tucson, AZ and Debra Schwarting (husband Richard) of Orem UT;  nieces, Megan Kniskern (husband Michael) of Phoenix, AZ, Laci Brewer (husband Gavin) of Orem, UT and nephews, Logan Williams (wife Risa) of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Ian Schwarting (wife Candice) of Vineyard, UT; father and mother in law, Richard and Rita Dillon, Mesa AZ as well as brother in law, Michael Dillon and sister in law, Barbra West (husband Vern).

Todd will be greatly missed by family and friends. No formal funeral services are scheduled. A private family memorial celebration will be announced.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent in Todd’s name to one of the following organizations:

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: https://donate.lls.org

Be the Match: https://bethematch.org

Hospice of the Valley: https://hov.org

William H. Workman (Bill), 90, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2019 at his home in Mesa, AZ.  Bill will forever be remembered by his loving wife of 68 years, Bonnie and children Reed (Kristy), Mindy Wright, Kathy Gunning and Amy Natzke.  Also survived by his grandchildren Tom, Tate, Brett, Darcy, Katie, Beth Ann, Zeb, Kenny, Carrie, Nate, Matthew and Gage and 15 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his siblings Velma Human, David Workman, Sybil Nichols and Wade Workman.  He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Irene Workman and sister Judy Abney.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Bill on July 11, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at Colby Falls, 4635 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert, AZ  85234.

Albert R. Vargas was born May 5, 1915; Woodrow Wilson was President and Wort War I was less than a year old.  Born to John and Rose Vargas and two sons who all preceded him in death.  Albert’s father was an owner of a cargo ship and Albert said he enjoyed accompanying him on his shipping trips because he loved the sea and he had a longtime appreciation for the deep blue.

Albert’s family was hit by the Great Depression in 1929, forcing Albert to mature at an early age.  When not in school he was working on the waterfront to help bring food to the table. He said those few years taught him the most about discipline and perseverance.

When Albert graduated from Alameda High School in 1934, he embarked on a Transpacific Yacht sailboat race from Los Angeles to Hawaii – a 2,225 mile trip with four friends.  One of the boy’s father’s owned a 35 foot sailboat and it took them three weeks to reach Hawaii.  They used radio signals to navigate through the choppy waters.  This was the trip of a lifetime which Albert talked about often.

At the age of 21, Albert completed his Coast Guard license in San Francisco and he became a tugboat skipper, moving Navy ships in and out of the bay area.  Because of his many skills he did maintenance on repairing engines of Navy ships and spend many hours working on submarines and Air Craft Carriers during the war years.

When he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Lorraine in 1936, they spent the next 68 years where they enjoyed many hours on the water and later moved to Arizona to enjoy another activity of square dancing.  They also enjoyed traveling throughout our country and when asked why so much travel, his answer was, traveling is one of life’s greatest teachers and encourages everyone to find the time to travel.

When asked about what makes for a long and healthy marriage, Albert said, “patience is crucial.”  The key is understanding he explained.  “We all have problems; the thing is how you work them out.”

After enjoying two birthday parties for his 104^th birthday, Albert was hospitalized and passed away on July 1^st.  His last words were, as he looked up at the Priest and received the last sacraments, were: “I have had a blessed and full life and now I am ready to meet my maker.”

Beverly “Missy” Manuel 66, died June 26, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ms. Manuel was born June 7, 1953 to the late Leonard Manuel Sr. and Evelyn Manuel in Sacaton.

She was a fun loving woman and was always a joy to be around. She enjoyed family gatherings, listening to music, going to concerts and loved to dance. She loved her family and always wanted to be around them. She was a selfless woman and would do anything to help family, friends or just about anyone.

Survivors include one adult child, Eugene Manuel, whom which she loved dearly; seven siblings Donna, Judy, Norman and Wilbur Manuel, Janet Peter, Ina Lyons and Jackie Saldana.

She was preceded in death by three siblings Leonard Manuel Jr., Harlan Manuel and Sharon Stewart

Visitation will be from 7 p.m. – Midnight on Friday, July 5, 2019 at the District 3 Service Center in Sacaton, AZ. Funeral at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at First Sacaton Presbyterian Church in Sacaton. Burial in East Sacaton Cemetery.

Bunker’s Garden Chapel is handling arrangements.

Michael Gordon Murray, age 70, passed away Monday, June 24th at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, Arizona of heart failure.  He was born on July 8, 1948 in West Covina, California to James and Weymouth Murray.  He was a graduate of Woodland High School and Lewis and Clark College.  After proudly serving in the Marines as a Lieutenant, Mike married Jan Bigham on June 5, 1976 in Waco, Texas.  Mike was a dedicated 30 year employee of Ben E. Keith Foods.  Mike had the ability to make everyone instantly feel at ease and was always genuinely interested in what was happening in their lives.  He never met a person that he didn’t like and considered everyone his friend.

Mike truly lived life to the fullest by spending time with his family, traveling, and communicating on a daily basis with his customers. He was an avid sports fan and loved the San Antonio Spurs.  Mike’s final act of kindness to others was being a donor that benefited several wounded warriors.

Mike is survived by his wife, Jan Bigham Murray;  daughter, Lindsey Murray;   grandson, Collin Murray; a sister, Kristeen Wicklund; and many nieces and nephews.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Mike touched are invited to his Memorial Service in San Antonio  at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 E. Nueva St. on Saturday, July 6^th at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be in Waco, TX.  In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or the American Heart Association.  Mike loved color and requested that everyone wear bright colors to celebrate his life.

Robert Curtis Larsen, 95, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona.  He was born to George Franklin and Sarah Florence Brough Larsen in Sunnyside, Utah in 1924.  Bob led a happy, active life with family, friends, and many, many, many building projects.

Bob grew up in the coal mining country of eastern Utah and was schooled in hard work with the idea that “you make it, make do or live without” in mind.   This set a work ethic in place that carried him to the end.  As a young boy he acquired the love of working with wood as his father brought home empty wooden powder boxes from which he made bird houses.

After serving on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, Bob returned home to Provo, Utah.   In 1947, while in college, he met and married the “girl next door”, Birdean Tippets, and they celebrated over 70 years together. He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in electrical engineering and Bob and Birdean moved to New York and later in 1959 settled in Arizona.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Birdean; a son, Ralph S. Larsen, parents George Franklin and Sarah Florence Larsen; sister, Grace Harding (Claude); and his brother, Richard Lewis Larsen (Lois).

Bob loved his family and is survived by his children:  Ken (Judy), Ralph’s wife Shari, Dave (Marvilla), Linda, Jim (Roxanne), Steve, 23 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, July 1, 2019 at Fairway Groves Ward, 5350 East McLelland Road, Mesa, Arizona 85205, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service starting at 9:00 am.

My grandmother Marjory Leona Spates was born to Harold and Leona Booser on January 30, 1945. She will always be loved and remembered by her friends and family. She was survived by her brother George, nephew Gary, daughter Sharon, grandchildren Toni Christopher Ryan and Angela. Marjory was adventurous quick witted had a very unique brand of humor and loved to travel. She was often in contact with her cousins Norma and Bernadette and loved to speak of them often. She was also a second mother to her nephew Gary and would tell stories often of his achievements kids and expressed her immense pride in him to anyone willing to listen.

My grandma loved puzzles arts and crafts and was always thinking about and making other people things. She wasn’t rich but shared and gave every thing she had to care for those she loved. There will not be a day where the hole she left behind in the lives she touched can be overlooked or filled. Marjory had a passion for Native American heritage Disney films and the supernatural. She will be sorely missed. Marjory passed away Sunday morning in my home peacefully while she slept at the age of 74. She will be ushered to heaven by her mom and dad as we all say our final goodbyes and keep her in our prayers and hearts.

A celebration of life will held for the family at a later that still had yet to be determined.

Anyone looking to send condolences or flowers to the family may feel free to donate instead to:

https://m.facebook.com/nt/screen/?params=%7B%22fundraiser_campaign_id%22%3A397119644232436%2C%22post_id%22%3A397120694232331%7D&path=%2Ffundraiser%2F&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Fdonate%2F397119644232436%2F397120694232331&_rdr

Heaven has gained an angel.  Joan L. Roahrig, 88, passed away suddenly at home on June 15, 2019 after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Coshocton, Ohio on August 30, 1930 to William and Anna (Blizzard) Holmes.

Joan grew up in Coshocton where she graduated from Coshocton High School In 1948.

She was married to George Greydon Roahrig on November 7, 1949 at St. Matthews Church in Phoenix, Arizona.

They resided in Coshocton, Ohio where they raised four children, Gary A. (Colleen) Roahrig, Grand Junction, Colorado, Pamela A. (Duane) Black, Rebecca S. (Tyson) Tibshraeny and Suzanne K. Brilon, Mesa, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Greydon Roahrig who passed away April 17, 1970.  Joan was also preceded in death by her brothers Eugene (Gene) and William (Bill) Holmes and one sister Constance (Connie) Mobley.

She was blessed with twelve beautiful grandchildren, Trent, Scott, David (Bethany), Leslie (Bill), Lisa (David), Aimee (Daniel), Katelyn (Drew), Kyle, Kelsy, Jenna, Jacey and Jadyn.

Her legacy will continue through her nineteen great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and grand-dogs.

Joan loved life and especially loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her many friends.  She stayed very active throughout her life, and enjoyed golf, bowling, sewing, quilting, crocheting, reading, doing crossword puzzles, crafting, baking and cooking.  She absolutely loved playing cards and sometimes played as often as 6 days a week!  And did someone say “Bingo!”?  It was a special treat for her to go to bingo with family and friends.  “What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose.  All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us”- Helen Keller.

She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Mesa, Arizona.  There will be a mass said in her honor/memory on September 3^rd, 2019, 8:30 a.m. she also belonged to Alpha Pi Sigma Sorority, Silver Sneakers and the Red Hat Society.  Joan donated her body to Science Care for research in the hopes of helping others.

She will be remembered for her selfless love, strength, independence and perseverance to live life to the fullest.  “Faith, Hope and Love:  And the greatest of these is Love”. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

There will be a celebration of her life on July 10, 2019 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be at Coshocton County Memory Gardens alongside her beloved husband in late August, 2019.

You will always be our hero and never forgotten, one life lived, many lives touched.

Herbert Curtis Ashcroft started his last, great adventure on June 23, 2019. He was 90 years old- born October 22, 1928 in Ramah, New Mexico.  He and his wife Janet L. (Monroe) Ashcroft had lived in Mesa, Arizona for twenty years.  They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in November of 2017.

Herbert led a very long and interesting life.  He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1946, and was both a cryptographer as well as a navigator.  He flew many VIPs, including Elvis Presley and then Vice President Richard Nixon. His travels took him around the world several times, but his proudest moment was picking up Gemini 8 astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott in Okinawa after they had completed their successful lunar mission.  He retired from the Air Force an officer, ranking as a Major.

Herbert was father to Bruce Alan, Susan Elanor, Michael Curtis, and Sharon Elisabeth, whom he had with his first wife, Elisabeth Elanor (Wake) Ashcroft. She preceded him in death, as did his eldest son, Bruce Alan.  Herbert is survived by three living children, eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

After retiring from the Air Force, Herb sold real estate in New Mexico, and eventually went into the restaurant business, supervising operations for Golden Corral’s national chain as Vice President.

Herb was an avid reader, enjoying a variety of books.  He loved traveling by trailer with his trusty navigator, Janet, across forty eight states and into Canada. They also flew to Europe and Australia. Whether it was panning for gold in Alaska, cooking lobsters right out of the water in Boston, or picking up sea shells on the beach in Coronado, California, he relished every moment spent on the road.

Herb also loved horses.  His brother, Jim Ashcroft, was a professional jockey, and from the age of nine Herbert would travel with Jim to race tracks across the country.  As an adult, he raised both quarter horse and thoroughbred race horses, and delighted in sharing the winner’s circle many times with family and friends.  After retiring from the restaurant business, he purchased a small ranch in Los Lunas, New Mexico, where he lived many years, raising brood mares and colts.  He eventually said goodbye to country life, and moved to Mesa.

He and Janet worked at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Mesa temple, and he was recognized by the Church for his work in indexing over a million names for genealogy purposes. He felt that one of the greatest blessings in his life was time spent in service while a member of the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley- Team J at 1510 East Flower Street Phoenix, Arizona  85014.  Herbert’s family expresses their deepest gratitude for the compassionate comfort and care Team J provided during his final week at home.

Funeral services will be held July 2, 2019 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 5620 East Adobe Street in Mesa, Arizona.  Visitation will start at 9 a.m., followed by a church service at 10 a.m.  Herbert Curtis Ashcroft will be interred following the service at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 23029 Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, Arizona.

Rex Delos Crandall slipped the mortal bonds of this world and passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2019, with his family by his side, at the Citrus Grove Assisted Living Facility in Mesa, Arizona.   Rex was 82 years old.

Born November 2, 1936, in Mesa, Arizona, Rex was the eldest child of Ray Delos and Helen Williams Crandall, and loving older brother of siblings Junell (Thomas) and Kent.

On June 14, 1962, Rex married his eternal companion, Linda Kaye Larsen, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.  Together, they had five children: Richard, Kaylene (Barrus), Michelle (Taylor), Justin, and Kristie (Memmot).

Rex’s was the kindest and gentlest of souls.  Throughout his upbringing in Safford, Arizona, and later adventures that would take him around the world from China to South America, Rex carried a quiet confidence that was widely recognized as his defining quality, and that served as an impenetrable bedrock on which the guiding principles of his life were anchored.  Those who knew Rex best were astonished at his tenacity that drove him to always try his very best and choose the right, even when it was unpopular to do so.

Throughout his life, Rex quietly and selflessly served others, most often in the background away from the limelight and the crowds, but always with the purest of intentions. Time and time again, Rex considered and put the needs and desires of those around him above his own. He was the first to help out when help was needed, and the last one standing before it was all done.

Rex was a patriot, who enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 18 and selflessly served his country for over 3 years, beginning in 1955.  He was stationed at various bases across the country, including locations in California, Mississippi, Alaska, and Texas.  Despite serving with honor and distinction, he never sought recognition for his service, always shying away from the spotlight where the focus would be too much on himself.

Rex was a faithful and lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He spent 3 ½ years of his life serving two full-time missions: one as a young man of 22 in the Central Atlantic States mission, beginning in 1958, and the second at 73, alongside his eternal companion, in the Birmingham England Mission, beginning in 2009.

When he wasn’t serving as a full-time missionary, Rex continued to volunteer his time and talents, valiantly fulfilling church callings continuously throughout his life.  Some of his more demanding callings included serving in various bishoprics, the high council, and 10 years as a worker in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.  His most enjoyable calling was serving as assistant stake clerk in the Tempe Arizona University Stake, where his wife also served, and where they worked together to help shape the lives of young adults across the Phoenix metro area.

Rex was an avid, life-long reader, whose copious book collection filled several bookcases.  This love of reading was a key asset that helped him find great success in higher education.  On May 27, 1966, he graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology.  Later, Rex would add to his accomplishments in higher education by graduating from NAU with a Master’s in Education Counseling in May, 1977.

Rex’s love of education, combined with his innate desire to serve and help others, guided his employment opportunities throughout his life.  He worked as a probation officer, university teacher, vocational counselor/evaluator, and, for the last twenty years before retirement, as a teacher for the Arizona State Prison in Florence, Arizona.  His greatest accomplishments and job satisfaction came

from working with those inmates who truly wanted to overcome their challenges and better their lives through education.

While Rex’s body began to fail him in his later years, his incredibly strong soul and mind gave him the strength to persevere and transcend what became regular and daily pain. Yet, as Rex experienced a slow but persistent decline in body, his spirit remained as resilient as ever, which gave him enough strength that he rarely complained, even in the face of serious health issues, but continued to trudge on doing good works for others.

There was something pure and innocent about Rex’s soul. This was perhaps most evident whenever he had the opportunity to interact with his children, especially when they were young, and later his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rex made a special connection with them that is impossible to explain or replicate, but is plainly evident to any observer viewing a picture or video of those precious interactions.

Rex was a hard worker, loving and devoted husband, and amazing father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He is survived by his loving wife, Linda, sons Richard and Justin, daughters Kaylene, Michelle, and Kristie, sister Junell, 29 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at the Harris Park LDS chapel as follows:
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2019
Address: 2220 N Harris Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Ch8twDyuCAS8NHHF6
Viewing: 9 AM
Funeral: 10 AM

The interment will be held at the City of Mesa Cemetery as follows:
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2019
Address: 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/YwrFwH2kf5qQN5QL7
Interment: 12 PM