Bruce Leo Newbold Obituary (1942 - 2021)

CLICK THIS LINK View Funeral Webcast Bruce Leo Newbold, loved and respected deeply by family and friends everywhere, passed away on January 12, 2021 from complications of a fall and ongoing challenges with Parkinson’s disease. He was a devoted and compassionate husband and father, and the most amazing grandfather. Bruce was born August 2, 1942 to Leo Albert and Reola Holt Newbold of South Jordan, Utah. He lived in South Jordan his whole life, except for 8 years in Idaho Falls. He was very involved in sports his entire life, both as player, coach, and fan. His first love was basketball, both high school and church teams, but he also was involved in baseball and softball. He played basketball for Bingham High School. In 1958 his ward team played in the All Church Jr. M-Men Basketball Tournament in Logan Utah. Bruce served a mission in 1961-63 to the Southern Australia Mission, where he touched many lives and found dear lifelong friends through the blessings that came from that service. On returning, Bruce married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Ardith Beckstead on June 5, 1964. They raised three children, Jim, Julie, and Brenda in South Jordan, then moved to Idaho Falls and welcomed baby Staci into their family. They enjoyed many happy memories of family time spent together playing games, laughing, and usually eating. He was an avid sports fan of all kinds, but a diehard Utah Jazz and BYU fan, and an “under the radar” Ute Fan. Bruce took pure enjoyment in being the biggest fan of his children’s and grandchildren’s various sports and other activities and rarely missed games or performances, often traveling long distances to support them. He also loved fishing, hunting, camping, four-wheeling, many trips fishing in Alaska, and playing golf with his buddies. Bruce received his Business Degree from LDS Business College. He built a successful life-long career in the office equipment industry working for A.H. Pembroke Co. in Salt Lake City and Yost Office Systems in Idaho Falls, where he also acquired part ownership and opened the Salt Lake City location. He was known and respected throughout the industry for his integrity, work ethic, sales expertise, and customer relations. He earned National Salesman of the Year multiple times, and was awarded the 2006 LDS Business College Distinguished Alumnus Award which honored his accomplishments in church, community, and business. Bruce was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He served in many rewarding capacities throughout his life including coaching Young Men’s basketball and baseball, Young Men’s Advisor, Stake Young Men’s President in South Jordan, Bishop of the Idaho Falls 8th ward, High Priest group leader, High Councilman in Idaho Falls and South Jordan. He was very civic minded and served on the South Jordan Economic and Development Committee soon after moving back to South Jordan. The last several years he has served on the South Jordan Historic Preservation Committee acting as chairman the past few years. He was a member of the Salt Lake Exchange Club, an organization of business owners that supports many charities for youth, military, and public service providers. Bruce was the family spokesperson that worked with South Jordan City to preserve and restore his Grandfather and Grandmother Holt’s home and property, to honor the request of Aunt Mame, to keep it a gathering place for all family members, future generations and the community. It is called the Samuel E. Holt Farmstead. Bruce was a very genuine and generous person. He had the ability to draw people to him and make friends everywhere. He had a great sense of humor, loved to tease, play jokes and was fun loving. Any challenge that he faced in life he always had a positive attitude and was dedicated to overcoming it. Bruce fought so hard to stay ahead of the effects of Parkinson’s disease. He joined the Rock Steady Boxing group three years ago that is specifically geared for people with Parkinson’s. He worked hard to gain strength and stability to better his situation. He enjoyed hitting the bag and sometimes Ardith (jokingly) and having the association with the amazing coaches and other fighters. Bruce is survived by his wife Ardith, son Jim (Angela), daughters Julie (single, available), Brenda (Amos), Staci (Joe), grandchildren Dalton, Jaxon, Abbi, Samuel and Keven, brother Richard (Jan), sister-in-law Deanna Newbold Naylor (Gerald), sisters-in-law Coleen Ashby and Ruth Hooper (Richard). Preceded in death by parents, grandson Bryson, brother Dennis, in-laws Helen and Earl Beckstead, sister-in-law Jean Bateman, brothers-in-law Nile Beckstead, Glen Bateman and Hank Ashby, and Aunt Mame. Social distancing and masks required for viewings and funeral. Public viewing Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 from 6pm-8pm at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan. A family viewing Wednesday, January 20th 9:45 am-10:30 am at Jenkins-Soffe with the funeral service to follow at 11am. Due to gathering restrictions, the funeral service is by invitation only but will be available to view on Jenkins-Soffe website. Interment at South Jordan Cemetery.