Delbert Frank Eddington Obituary (1930 - 2008)

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Delbert Frank Eddington, passed away peacefully at home after an extended illness on September 10, 2008, with his sweetheart by his side. Delbert was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1930, to Frank and Eva Eddington, the oldest of four children. He is preceded in death by his parents and some grandchildren, and is survived by his brothers Ralph (Rose) Eddington, and Darrell (Helen) Eddington, and by his sister Carol (Howard) Pettit. He was reared in Murray, graduating from Murray High School in 1949. As a young man he served for a brief time in the Utah National Guard, and from 1949–1951 he was a missionary for the LDS Church in Eastern Canada. Delbert married Vera Lee Evans on December 12, 1952. Theirs has been such a faithful, loving, wonderful relationship that many who know them well have tried to model their own marriages after it. They first made their home in Provo while they attended BYU, then Murray, while he attended the University of Utah. For 50 years they lived in Sandy, and for the past few months in Provo. Delbert and Vera have 11 children: Delbert W. (Elaine), Shawna (Mark) Elliott, Marilyn (Lynn) Jensen, Keith (Diana), Cheryl (Gary) Blaylock, Barbara (Larry) Jones, Dale (Devina), John (Suzanne), David (Shelly), Kenneth (Sheri), and Devera (Jason) LuBean. They also opened their hearts and their home to 10 foster children. Their family currently includes 70 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren. Dad loved his family with a love that perhaps few men ever convey as he did. Nothing was more important to him, and though he enjoyed good music and books and the outdoors, he loved most having his family around him. At family gatherings he was seen so often with a grandchild in his arms or on his knee that many in the family have remarked that, “If ever a likeness were created of dad, it would have to be of him holding a child.” Though his family is unusually large he had a very personal relationship with each member, remembering birthdays and making each individual feel that he or she was uniquely important. He was constantly giving of himself to lift and build and encourage his posterity. As just one example, he and mom have shared their home with several of their newly married children and grandchildren, sometimes for extended periods of time, to help them through financially tenuous times or allow them to complete college educations and get a good start in life. Delbert spent many hours serving others. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 35 years. Most years he worked 60-70 hour weeks to provide for the family. He accepted priesthood assignments and other church callings throughout his life at the expense of what little personal discretionary time he had; but dad loved the Lord and was determined to serve Him. Every calling was important to him. He was a faithful home teacher who built lasting relationships with people who felt his genuine love and concern for them. He also served in bishoprics, on high councils, as Bishop, and as a Stake Patriarch for nearly 30 years. Later in life he served with mom as senior couple missionaries in the Fiji, Suva, and Nebraska, Omaha, missions. He and his sweetheart also enjoyed serving in the Jordan River Temple together. He always radiated love and spiritual conviction no matter whom he served. His counsel, faith, testimony and priesthood blessings have been a powerful influence for good in the lives of countless individuals. Dad was a gentle, humble and unassuming man. Joseph F. Smith wrote, “Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life. After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness.” By this standard, dad was a truly great man. Through his posterity and others he has inspired, his influence will expand as the years pass. Words are inadequate to express the love and appreciation we have for you, dad, but we hope that we may live in such a way that we honor you and show you how eternally grateful we are for you.