OBITS: The Spectrum 16 Dec 2005; St. George, Washington co., Utah text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ut/utfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: St. George The Spectrum http://www.thespectrum.com Ronald James ST. GEORGE - Ronald James, 80, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at Dixie Regional Medical Center due to complications of an illness. He was born January 5, 1925 in Marysvale, Utah, to Garfield (Grompie) and Lucy (Mamo) James. Ron served in the U.S. Navy as an amphibious landing craft driver in nine invasions during WW II. He married Georgia Marie Busco, and she preceded him in death on May 22, 1996. Together they had four children; Stephanie, Greg, Gary and Ronee. Through his illness, dad always made light of the situation. He could make you smile and laugh, no matter how much he was suffering. Always dedicated to his children, family and friends, dad put everyone else first. His sense of humor was like no other. A heart of gold is what he had; the same heart that we now will carry within us. A man can never be forgotten that was loved so much - that is our dad! He loved the outdoors, riding his four wheeler and spending time in Marysvale during the summer months with Colleen. Dad, thank you for being the greatest man we will ever know. You are an amazing Partner, Brother, Father, Grandpa and Friend. We thank you for all the wonderful memories you have left us. We love you with all of our hearts and we are going to miss you very much. Rest in peace. Ron is survived by Colleen, the love of his life; sisters, Flora James Gibbs, and Grace James Utley; 3 children; Greg (Robyn), Gary and Ronee; 7 grandchildren, Nicole, Lindsay, Lexi, Jaimi, Jessi, Jazmin, and Bryan; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grompie and Mamo; daughter, Stephanie; great-granddaughter, Kamree; brothers, Lester, Gerald and Ralph James; sisters, Eva Bullen, Leola Pearson and Garcia Walden. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Marysvale, UT, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with viewing from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the Marysvale Cemetery. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove. Obituaries are also available at our website. Click on the rose. Originally published December 16, 2005 Byron Carlyle Peacock ENTERPRISE - Byron Carlyle Peacock, 88, passed away December 9, 2005 in Hurricane, Utah. He was born August 22, 1917 to Byron Charles and Eva Leona Petty Peacock in Emery, Utah, the oldest of six children, four boys and two girls. His early life was spent on the farm and he attended school in Emery and Ferron, UT and then BAC, now SUU, in Cedar City, Utah, then USU in Logan, Utah. He enlisted in the Army in October 1940 and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was sent over seas, landing in North Africa in November, 1942. His unit fought across North Africa, landed in Sicily, and then to Salerno, Italy and Anzio, then through France and Germany and was in Austria when the victory was declared on May 8, 1945. Returning home he enrolled at BAC where he met Elsie Jones. They were married May 25, 1946 in the St. George Temple. They moved to Emery for a year then to Logan to finish his education. Then he obtained a job teaching Vocational Agriculture in Enterprise, Utah. He taught for 30 years, retiring in 1978. He had his own welding and machine shop and served the people of the area with repairing machinery for farms and homes. Byron was an active member of the LDS Church serving as teacher and in the Priesthood quorums. He served as a counselor in High Priests and in the Sunday School. He was Stake Clerk in the Uvada Stake where he served for 13 years. He then served on the High Council for 12 years. He and his wife served a mission to the Cambodian Refugees in Oakland, California from June of 1985 to June of 1986. He served on the Enterprise town board for four years. After he and his wife returned from their mission, he started to do oil paintings at age 68. His many paintings were given to family and friends and are treasured by them. He suffered a stroke in 1997 and after rehabilitation he learned to paint with his left hand. Byron is survived by a daughter, Francell (Wayne) Yeoman of Pleasantview, UT; sons, Joe (Janice) Peacock of Hurricane, UT, Nelson Peacock of San Diego, CA, and son Dwight (Vickie) Peacock of Enterprise, UT; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren, two brothers; Hershel Peacock and Perry Peacock, and sister Charlene Staheli. He was preceded in death by his eternal companion Elsie, sister Erma Merservey, and brother Rolland Peacock. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 17, 2005, 11:00 a.m., at the Enterprise LDS 4th and 5th Ward Chapel, 620 E. Main, Enterprise, Utah. A visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be in the Enterprise City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at: www.metcalfmortuary.com. Originally published December 16, 2005 Doyle Sampson ST. GEORGE /IVINS - Doyle Sampson, age 85, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2005, at his home in Kayenta, Ivins, Utah. He was born September 15, 1920, in Delta, Utah. After completing high school, he was recruited by Lee Hafen to come to Dixie Jr. College. He attended Dixie for one and a half years before leaving with the National Guard in 1941. He was with the 115th Engineers Corp, stationed in England, and went into France on Utah Beach when the invasion of Europe took place. Doyle was honorably discharged from active duty in October of 1945. He then returned to Dixie where he graduated in June of 1946. Doyle married Edna Mae Miller in 1946, and they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Doyle received his Bachelors Degree. He coached high school basketball and football in Hobbs, New Mexico, for three years before returning to Dixie. At that time he went into private business. He owned and managed a shoe store and The Dairy Freeze. In 1954, Dixie College was without a basketball coach, so Doyle was recruited to coach college ball for a year. He owned and operated ERA Sampson and Company Real Estate with his son, Sam, for several years. In 1958, Doyle was President of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce which, at the time, hired the first executive secretary. During 1963, Hawthorne Company, currently known as Dixie Development, was anticipating coming into this area. Doyle gave three months of his time, without compensation, to selling stock. This industry became a big asset to the economy of our community. Doyle was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the city for his help on this project and was most recently sitting on the board of directors. Doyle has been an active member of the Lions Club for 55 years, serving as President and District Governor. He served as chairman in rebuilding Roene Diflore's home after it was destroyed by fire. He was a charter member of the Colonels Club of Dixie College. He was part of a group that helped develop the City Center, Dixie Bowl, and Milne Jewelers. He also helped organize and sell stock in three banks, including: Enterprise Bank, Sun Capital Bank, and Sun First Bank. He most recently sat on the Board of Sun First Bank. His grateful family includes his: wife, Edna Mae; and sisters, Dorothy Webb, and Lila Mae Debenham. Surviving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren include: Sam and Lisa, Lindsay, Kimberly; Shannon and Kyle, Kayla, Claire, Ryan, Kate; Greg and Jeannie, Michael, Tanner, Taylor, Brooks; Eric and Niki, Shaly, Alex, Braden; Sam and Kali, Cole, Luke; Mary Lou, Kurtis, Wyatt; Sherrie, Matthew, Michael and Emily, Ryan, Madalene Rose, Jackson, Katherine Anne; Karl and Wendy, Henry. He was active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and most recently served as the High Priest Group Leader. He was quietly of service to his fellow man. Doyle enjoyed spending time at his cabin on Kolob Mountain. He was an avid hunter, golfer, and sandbagger. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 19, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ivins Stake Center, 260 E. 1060 S., Ivins, with the first viewing Sunday, December 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, and second viewing Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to services, at the Stake Center. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT (435) 673-2454. Originally published December 16, 2005 Opal Fuller Thompson ST. GEORGE - Opal Fuller Thompson, 93, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2005 in St. George. She was born January 17, 1912, in Ashland, Alabama to Archie Fuller and Mildred Glen Fuller. She married Jesse L. Thompson on November 18, 1944 in Phoenix City, Alabama (Opal and Jesse were sealed in the Temple in 1977). Opal attended school in Alabama, and after graduation she worked as a seamstress at a clothing company. After she married Jesse, they started their family in Alabama, and in 1945 moved to Price, Utah, where she was a homemaker. In 1960 she moved to Salt Lake City and worked for Osborn Apparel for 19 years. She moved back to Price, where she lived for the next ten years. She continued to live in Northern Utah until 2001, when she moved to St. George. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Opal has been very devoted to Temple Work and Family History. She loved quilting, sewing, painting, bowling, and telling her childhood stories to her grandchildren. Opal is survived by her: daughter, Kathryn VanderWerff, Orem, UT; sons, Thomas Lars (Barbara) Thompson, Snohomish, WA, and Jesse (LeAnn) Thompson, Jr., St. George, UT; 17 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jesse, August 8, 1969; four brothers and two sisters; and son-in-law, Fred Dowie VanderWerff. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Price City 5th Ward Chapel, 400 North 600 East, Price, UT. Visitation will be Saturday, Noon until 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel, prior to the service. Interment will be at the Price City Cemetery. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Click on the dove. Obituaries are also available at our website. Click on the rose. Originally published December 16, 2005