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Reed Eugene Price, 95, our loving and faithful father, peacefully passed away July 8, 2017, in Gilbert, Arizona from natural causes.  He was born in Phoenix Arizona on February 18, 1922 to JR and Mabel Price. Reed is one of the few natives of Phoenix who was born, raised and lived in the area for over 95 years. He had 4 siblings. Reed served a 2-year LDS mission in June, 1942 in The New England States Mission.  Shortly after returning home from his mission, he joined the Navy and fought in World War II.  While on leave from the Navy in May, 1945, he married Marjorie Paulson in the Salt Lake City Temple.  He returned to the service until he was released in March, 1946.  He and Marjorie enjoyed 58 years together and were blessed with 6 children, who were raised in the north Phoenix area. Marjorie passed away from cancer in August, 2003.  Lonely and saddened by the loss of his Marjorie, he decided to marry another Marjorie, Marjorie Armstrong, in November, 2005. She was such a blessing to him for the last nearly 12 years of his life. Reed was always a strong member and leader in the LDS Church. Among other important callings in the Church, he served as Bishop for 8 years and later as a Stake President for 9 years.  He also served as a Mission President for 3 years in the Bristol, England mission.  He has been a counselor in the Mesa, Arizona Temple Presidency and a temple sealer.  He has sealed 20 of his grandchildren’s marriages in the temples. Reed graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in business. His main career business, with his partner and brother-in-law, Nephi Allen, was building and running miniature golf courses in Arizona and California.  Green Gables Miniature Golf Course was his most popular golf course. He also built a “nut farm” and sold freshly roasted nuts of all kinds. His main hobbies and enjoyment in his life were sports, especially playing and watching baseball, landscaping, growing beautiful flowers, and also collecting rare books.  Reed was a kind, gentle family man.  His competitive nature helped him to set goals and meet those goals. Reed is survived by his current wife, Marge, and by his children, Nancy (Alan) Dickson, Spencer (Louise) Price, Rosemary Smart, Barbara Anderson, Marti (Doug) Jones, his daughter-in-law, Chris Price, and one sister, Marjorie Allen (97).  He is preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie, his son, Ronald and his son-in-law, Gordon Smart. He has 33 grandchildren, 73 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15^th at 11 am with a viewing at 10 am, in the Mesa Kimball Stake Center, 1266 S. 32^nd St., Mesa, AZ. Visitation will be Friday, July 14^th from 7-8:30 pm at Bunker Family University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive, Mesa, Az. Bunker Family Funerals will be handling all funeral arrangements.

Betty Jones Pyron passed away peacefully in her home on July 11, 2017 in Mesa, AZ.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She was born in Atlanta, Georgia the youngest of three girls to Cecil E and Neppie Lee Jones.   She met the love of her life, James Thomas Pyron, Jr. at church where he in his handsome Navy uniform melted her heart; they were married a short time later.  With a few departures, they raised their family in Atlanta and in Utah, ultimately retiring to Mesa, Arizona in 1997.  Betty was loved by many for her sweet demeanor as well as her caring and selfless way.  She was the most attentive and loving mother.  When she wasn’t giving her family her all, she was usually reading.  An amazing cook, she had a reputation for her pies.  In addition to spending her life raising her family, Betty and Tom gave themselves over to serving others.  They served five missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Ghana, Virginia, and three to the Philippines.  Her gentleness, quick laughter, and soft southern accent will be missed.  Betty is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom.  She is survived by her 6 children:  Leland & Kim (Pyron) Warnick, Mack & Karen (Pyron) Hoopes, Jeff & Kathy (Pyron) Siebach, Philip & Lisa Pyron, Jonathan & Kelly Pyron and Michael Pyron.  She is also survived by her 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  A viewing will be held at 10:00am on July 15^th followed by the funeral service at 11:00am at the LDS Church located at 7752 E McDowell Road in Mesa, AZ. 

Laura Ann Rasmussen (Coon)

What can one say about a person that has been your right hand man, a friend, a person who you could confide in, who would listen to your stupid jokes and stories over and over again and never get tired of hearing them.  A woman who was your help mete, companion, your confessor, your strength when you needed wisdom and patient and know you could do no wrong in her eyes and always had your back 24/7.

This is the type of woman Laura was.  No matter what the issue if life gave you lemons, she simply made lemonade.

Her remarkable journey here on earth began on March 11, 1953.  If she were here she would say she was born of goodly parents, Leland Rasmussen and Charlotte Sleight.  She had two younger brothers; Jon and Bradley.  They grew up on a farm in Rupert, Idaho.  She was born into the church and was a faithful member all her life. 

When she was but 14 years old, her Mom passed away from complication of Leukemia at the age of 36.  Before she passed she made Leland promise to find someone to marry so her children would have a mother.

Fast forward to 1979, St. George, Utah; where she met a handsome and debonair fellow Michael R. Coon.  It was love at first cabbage roll.   I say this because at the time I worked at St. George Hospital as the cafeteria supervisor and filled in when the dietitian was off.  In referring to the cabbage roll all the patients were getting steak and all we had for the nurses and nurses’ aides was cabbage rolls.  We’ll not linger, we met, sparks flew and Laura got steaks.

She blessed us with a smart beautiful daughter Elizabeth, who has been a rock.

We were sealed in the Seattle Temple on September 30, 1988, a date that truly blessed me with a forever companion and wife.

She may have left this mortal existence, but she is not gone, not really, for her immortal soul has been called home to be with family and friends, where one day I may join her if I live the right way.  God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish.  As sure as the Sun and Moon shall rise and fall, so is it with all Gods children, because of the Atonement of Christ in his name.  Amen

The family of Melvin “Grant” Randall wishes to notify family and friends of his passing on July 7, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Martha Ann Ellsworth Randall, sons Michael Grant (Jacki), Melvin Daniel (Lisa) and John Dean (Belinda), 14 grandchildren, 53 great- grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Randall was born in Pine, AZ on September 6, 1931 and came to Mesa, for school in 1946 to attend Mesa High School. He furthered his education at the University of Arizona and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He eventually became a new and used auto dealer at Randall Rambler. He is best remembered for ownership of Randall AMC/Jeep, the #1 in volume sales for Jeep.

His love of auto racing began as a young man when he built his first “jalopy”. He and his family participated in drag racing, sports car racing and off-road racing. And many fun family memories were created at the races!

Grant, the son of Melvin Fuller Randall and Eva LaDean Grant had three brothers; Richard Burdett Randall, Walter Lyle (Skip) Randall and Rony Ray Randall.  All have preceded him in death.

Services will be on Monday, July 17, 2017 at the LDS Chapel at 848 N. Westwood St., Mesa, AZ  85201.  A viewing will be held at 9:00 am. prior to the funeral service at 10:00 am.

Marjorie Ann Bemis Smith, 91, passed away on July 6, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. Marge was born in Phoenix. After graduating from Arizona State University she taught elementary school, a career she returned to on several occasions. In 1950 Marge married her college sweetheart, Glen Smith, who was a career military officer. Together they lived in Washington, Alaska, Michigan, New York, California, the Philippines, North Carolina, Arizona, and Utah. Marge loved to travel. In addition to crisscrossing the United States, Marge and Glenn were fortunate to be able to travel internationally with New Zealand being one of her favorite destinations.

Marge had many interests. As a student she played softball and as an adult tennis. She collected coins and stamps and dabbled in art. During her life, she was active in church, community, and philanthropic organizations. She was a passionate genealogist and spent tireless hours researching her ancestors. She and Glenn served as missionaries at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Marge adored her family and she was a dedicated and supportive wife and mother. She is survived by her husband, Glenn, their four children – Kathleen (Ken) Price, Georgia (Dave) Anderson, Bruce (Lori) Smith, Deborah Smith (Steve Oslund) – and her sister, Dorothy Hall. Marge and Glenn have 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Marjorie will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Her friends and family will greatly miss her sassy and adventurous personality.

Opal Arlene (Carter) Nelson, age 95, of Mesa passed away on July 5, 2017.

Opal was born January 12, 1922, in Wolsey, Beadle County, South Dakota.  She was the daughter of Allen Bernard and Zada [Hickle] Carter. She attended elementary school in Beadle County and Grant County, SD.  She also attended Brookings Agriculture School, Brookings, SD. Opal was united in marriage with Raymond Nelson on June 3, 1942, at the home of Francis and Verna  Janssen near Strandburg, SD.

Opal farmed with her husband near Round Lake near Gary, SD, until they moved to Lake Crystal, MN.  They ran a Poultry business in Lake Crystal, until they retired and lived part of the year in Mesa, AZ.  Raymond died on March 20, 1988. In her retirement years Opal did babysitting and caregiving. Opal was a faithful believer, and attended many churches in her lifetime where she did volunteer work and was an inspiration. In the last number of years she attended the Salvation Army Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Daniel and Linda Nelson of Good Thunder, MN; Mona and Megala (Karam) Megala of Mesa, AZ; four grandchildren: Timothy and Laurie Nelson of Minneapolis, MN, Mathew and Michelle Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD, Reamon Megala and Rida Megala of Mesa, AZ.  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren;  Jacob and Sara Nelson, Madison, Cohen, and Benton Nelson. Opal was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters, Verna Janssen and Norma Andresen and her brother, Conrad Carter.

A memorial service will be held in honor of Opal’s life on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 2 pm, at the Salvation Army Church located at 241 E. 6th Street, Mesa, AZ. Burial will be at the Woodland Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, Mankato, Minnesota.

Genevra Vance, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, July 1, 2017, in Mesa, Arizona. She was born April 20, 1927 to Thomas Edmund Miller (Ted) and Nellie Lee Rankard Miller in Mesa, Arizona.  

Genevra grew up in Tucson, AZ. When she was 10 years old her mother sent her along with her brother Harold and sister Eva to Primary at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They loved the teachings they heard and soon the missionaries were teaching the family and they joined the Church. After graduating from High School as the salutatorian of her class, the Miller family moved back to Mesa in order to be closer to the temple. There she met Dale Vance and in August 1947 they were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Together they raised 6 children, 1 son and 5 daughters. They have 36 grandchildren and 114 plus great-grandchildren.

Genevra has served in the Church all her adult life. She served in the ward and stake Young Women program and as a ward Relief Society President. In addition, she actively helped her husband as he served as Bishop for 11 years and as a Stake Patriarch for over 15 years. Together they served two full time proselyting missions in Harrisburg, PA and Chicago, IL. They also traveled to many places around the world (Japan, Europe, Israel, and Russia). Genevra has spent thousands of hours doing family history research and writing family histories.  

Her love, devotion, and Christ-like service to her family and community will be truly missed.

Visitation is Friday, July 14, 2017, from 9:00 – 10:30 AM, prior to the funeral services at 11:00 AM at the Fairfield Ward, 933 East Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85213. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens.

Lenore Irene Hunt, 54, passed away June 26, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 8, 2017, at 8:00 AM, at Salt River Memorial Hall, 9849 E. Earll Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Vaughn Jay Price, 69, passed away July 4, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 11 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Adobe 12th Ward, 2152 E. Adobe, Mesa, AZ.

Stanlee Ann Ray, 84, passed away July 3, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Gilbert 4th Ward Chapel, 1150 N. Lindsay Road, Gilbert, Arizona.

Father Wojciech (Adalbert) Bazarnik rejoined his family and friends in heaven on May 9, 2017. 

Born in Poland on December 7, 1929 he learned to overcome difficult circumstances from an early age. As 12-year-old child, he was forced to work in a German munitions factory during the Nazi occupation. After World War II he and his fellow seminarians were forced to work in local coal mines under dangerous conditions by decree of Joseph Stalin. Hardships did not deter Adalbert who kept focused on his goal of serving God as an ordained priest. He completed his religious studies and was ordained after in 1953.

Some of his fondest memories of his early priesthood were of riding his bicycle among towns in the Polish countryside to celebrate mass and provide religion instruction to the faithful. He immigrated in the mid-1980’s to the United States where he subsequently ministered to the needs of Polish speaking congregations in the Archdioceses of Scranton, Chicago and Phoenix.

He became a naturalized United States citizen on August 27, 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona. Father Adalbert deeply loved his native Poland, the United States and humanity. At every turn in his life, including his brief stay in an Assisted Living Home in Phoenix, Adalbert continued to touch people’s hearts. He will be missed by many.

Beverly Hodgkinson completed her fourth and final mortal mission on Sunday, July 2, 2017 and joined her eternal companion of nearly fifty years following almost twenty years of separation.  As a member of the LDS Church, she was not only faithful but full of faith as well.   To her, there was nothing that couldn’t be accomplished with heartfelt prayer.

Bev was a memory maker for all who knew her.  Who could forget her infectious sense of humor or the sparkle in her eye whenever she greeted you?  She made friends wherever she lived including Utah, Colorado and Arizona.  Her talent in music was shared with so many as she accompanied soloists, taught scores of piano students, and served as accompanist to the Mesa Academy choirs.  Many will also remember her deep, tenor voice as she sang in choirs and quartets.

Hundreds will remember Bev for her love of knitting and will continue to appreciate the hand-knitted, personalized Christmas stockings that hang from their mantels each holiday season. 

Service could have been her middle name.  Whether in the New Zealand, Washington, D C., or Hawaii missions, or as a supervisor in the Mesa Temple, or just to neighbors, friends or even people she didn’t know, she was always willing to do all in her power to help in any way she could.

She will be missed, but never forgotten.

Bev is survived by her four children, Terri (Lanse) Larsen, Clark (Wendy) Hodgkinson, Sue (Kent) Cornwall, Barb (Richard) Vance, who were not only her children, but also her closest friends. Also 22 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, July 10, 2017 with a visitation 1 hour prior at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5350 E. Mclellan Rd. in Mesa.

Redding, Charles Lee,  Born 1/21/1935, Died 6/29/2017

Lee was born and raised in Biloxi Mississippi.  He graduated from Biloxi High School and attended Mississippi State University and graduated as a member of the first class of the School of Forestry.  

Lee was a career forester with the U.S. Department of Forestry having served in 5 national forests: the Umpqua in Oregon, the Wasach in Utah and the Coconino, Apache Sitgreaves and Tonto National forests in Arizona.  On the Tonto, he was instrumental in planning the recreation facilities at Saguaro Lake and along the Salt River tubing area.

After retiring he worked as a part time employee for 25 years with American Valet where he was affectionately known as “Smiley”.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Rose, his daughters, Lucy Maupin (Ken), Kathy Crum (Will), and Susan Redding, 12 Grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, his sister Charlene Cole and brother Ormand.

Memorial service to be held Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E  University Dr., Mesa.

Kirma Snow Larsen, 88, passed away June 28, 2017 at the Caring Heart Terrace Assisted Living Facility. She was born August 9, 1928 in Brigham City, Utah to Robert Knox and Mildred Michaelis Snow. She graduated from Box Elder High School in 1946. On July 2, 1947, Kirma married Raymond Larsen in the LDS Logan Temple. They made their home in Garfield and Magna, Utah until 1968 when they moved to Tempe, Arizona, followed by moves to Sahuarita, Arizona, and later Mesa, Arizona.

Kirma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many ward and stake callings. She particularly loved serving in the Mesa Temple and Family History Center. She and Raymond served together in the West Indies Mission and touched many lives there. Her greatest joy was in spending time with her family. She loved to paint, quilt and research genealogy.

Kirma is survived by her husband, Raymond; her children, David (Marge) of Hinckley, UT, Michael (Annette) of Oregon City, OR, Judy (Stewart) Adams of Mesa, AZ, Karen (Jack) Huish of Taylorsville, UT, Gail (Mark) Snow of Gilbert, AZ, Barbara (Neal) Jones of Mesa, AZ, and Alan (Alina) of Tucson, Arizona; 24 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Max (Linda) of Hyrum, UT, and her sister, Colleen (Bernie) Mortensen, of St. George, UT. She was preceded in death by her parents, several siblings and one grandson.

A visitation will be held Friday, July 7, 2017, from 6-8 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 8, 2017, at 10 AM, with a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Adobe Villa Ward, 5620 E. Adobe Rd, Mesa. 

Charles Osborne Cooley was born March 14, 1929 in Mesa, AZ. He passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Mesa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lornell Hostetter.

Charles farmed, sold insurance, and was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved being in the outdoors hunting, camping, and climbing mountains. He climbed Mt. Whitney the last time at age 70.

Charles is survived by his sister, Velma Huffaker; his six children, David and wife Lois, Reed and wife Becky, Deryl and wife Ruth, Luann and husband Stephen Roberts, Sherri and husband Steve Hausladen, Cindy and husband Mike Alvey; 41 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is a wonderful father and grandfather, beloved by his family. 

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2424 N. Old Gilbert Road, Mesa, Arizona.

 Fred Hideo Tomooka, 83, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2017, at his home in Gilbert, Arizona. He was born to Toyokichi and Yone Tomooka in Oso Flaco, California, on November 7, 1933.

Fred was a special person who led an amazing life working on his family’s farm in Surprise, Arizona, volunteering for over 30 years with Valley of the Sun United Way and Community Information & Referral Services, traveling extensively across America, attending sporting events and becoming an avid fan of the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Suns, Rattlers and ASU. Two of Fred’s greatest honors were receiving the “12 Who Care” Hon Kachina Volunteer Award in1985, with his sister Ayako Tomooka, and proudly carrying the 1996 Olympic torch for the State of Arizona.

Fred is survived by his loving sister, Lillie Miyagishima, 8 nephews and 10 nieces. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Masataka, Chikayoshi and James; sisters Tsuyako Tanaka, Ayako Tomooka, and Reiko Fujii; and 2 nieces.

Fred was a happy guy who loved his family, friends, old and new, and all that was good in life.  We love you and will miss you,