Lorin Cleon Chatwin Obituary (1947 - 2018)

“SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR” THE TIME HAS COME TO MAKE THE CALL “SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR!” WE’VE PRAYED FOR YOU, LOVED YOU WITH THIS ILLNESS THAT YOU BORE. YOU’VE RECEIVED YOUR FINAL ORDERS AND HAVE BEEN CALLED ON ETERNAL PATROL YOU ARE NOW RELIEVED OF YOUR WATCH, GOD BLESS YOUR WEARY SOUL. Cindy L. Chatwin Our beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather received his final orders, rested his oar and has gone on Eternal Patrol. Lorin, 71, returned to his Father in Heaven surrounded by his loving wife and his children after a courageous battle with Mesothelioma cancer. Lorin, the eldest of eight children, was born on March 12, 1947 in Provo, Utah to Helen Emma Davenport Chatwin and Cleon J Chatwin. Lorin was a strong and compassionate man who worked hard to provide for his family and was a servant to friends, family and many others. Raised on a farm in Genola, Utah, his family later moved to Milford and then to Tooele where he worked at Tooele Army Depot. While in Tooele Lorin met and married his high school sweetheart, Mavis Elaine (Fitzlaff) Chatwin on April 2, 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They’ve enjoyed 52 years of marriage and just recently celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary in April 2016. In September 1966, Lorin enlisted in the US Navy entering the “Silent Service” volunteering for the Submarine Service. In March 1967 he reported to the USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN 635) on the Blue Crew working many positions including the Oxygen Generator. His nickname with his Navy brothers was “Carrot”. In late September 1969 he transferred to the USS Trumpetfish (SS425) where he was stationed until September 1970 when he received an Honorable Discharge from the US Navy and traveled across the country to return to Utah to raise his family. He was a man who loved his country and was a strong supporter of America and her flag. He was proud to serve our great nation and valued the freedoms from those who served as well. He was a proud member of the Holland Club an elite group of Submariners who reach 50 years since they qualified on a submarine. Lorin became the Patriarch of the family at a young age after the early passing of his father in 1972 and over the years he became a father figure to many nieces and nephews and kids in the neighborhood. He was loved and respected by many. He enjoyed his time with his family including many visits with his siblings and their families. After the Navy, Lorin returned to work at the Tooele Army Depot where he served for 35 years, working in the Tire and Fabrication shop where he was respected by many and developed several lasting friendships. Lorin enjoyed “puttering” with a variety of cars over the years alongside with his best friend, Doug. While they tinkered with cars they built a lasting friendship. He has been affectionately known as “Bucko” to the Orton family for many years. Doug has been an amazing friend and we wish to thank him for his loving friendship and for all the time he spent with Dad. Lorin also worked side by side with his brother Harvey over the years doing many projects for family and friends. Lorin enjoyed camping, often spending weeks at a time in the mountains riding ATV’s. In 2004, Lorin retired from the depot and began traveling with his lovely wife, Mavis. They enjoyed many trips to places such as: Germany, Canada, Mexico, Georgia, South Carolina and Washington DC and took cruises to Hawaii (Dad’s favorite trip) and Alaska. They also traveled to family reunions in Iowa and Minnesota. And as Dad would call it, they also vacationed on the “left coast” (California & Oregon). Together they traveled across the country for reunions with his shipmates from the USS Sam Rayburn in places such as Texas, Nashville, St Mary’s Georgia, San Diego and Charleston, South Carolina. Many of their travels were taken with Jim and Marie and he spent time with Jim working on a variety of projects as well. Lorin loved working side by side Mavis for many years making beautiful, breathtaking quilts together. He even made mom her first quilting table. Together they have made more quilts than we can count for family and friends. Many also remember Lorin with his little dog Buddy, the sparkle of his eye. He was truly a “man with his dog” for many years. Lorin was often found helping others, being a “handy man” for the widows in the neighborhood. He was talented beyond measure using his carpentry skills to build amazing things. He was the “go to guy” for so many. For the last several years Lorin and Mavis became snowbirds and spent their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona where they developed many lifelong friendships. Although he had a rough exterior he also had a heart of gold. And would do anything for anyone who needed the help. He was always in the service of his fellow men and in secret he’d pay for meals of widows who were found dining alone in restaurants. Anyone who knew Lorin also knew he would shake a man’s hand but always give a lady a hug. He had a clever, witty sense of humor and laugh that made others want to laugh with him. He was never shy about his thoughts and opinions of the world. As a father, Lorin was unmatched. He would do anything for his children and was there for them whenever they needed him. He was an example of a strong work ethic and taught them that there was always a right and wrong way to do things. He taught them to be loving, compassionate, generous and to value others. He was always extremely proud of his children and their accomplishments. His greatest pride and joy was being a father and a grandfather. Lorin leaves behind his loving and sweet wife, Mavis who never left his side while he was ill. His children, Robert J (Debbie) and Cindy Lou (Debra). He is survived by his four grandchildren, Thomas (Tia), Allison (Andrew), Maria (Josh) Brooks, and Joey. He is survived by his siblings Harvey (Bonnie), Linda, Merrill (Kathy), Charles, John, Helen (Lorin) Holm and Laura. He has been greeted with much love in joy in heaven by his parents, and his nephew Gary and his sister-in-law Kathy. Lorin wished for a celebration of life in lieu of funeral services with his family which will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018, at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley Funeral Home, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 South), South Jordan, Utah 84094 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A graveside service will be held in Lorin’s honor on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at the Utah Veteran’s Cemetery and Memorial Park ,17111 S. Camp Williams Road (1700 West) Bluffdale, Utah, at 12:00 pm, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors. A family prayer will be held at the funeral home for family and friends Tuesday at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, we ask you write down and bring a memory of Lorin for the memory box for his family so they can embrace the full impact of his life on family and friends. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support of so many who loved Dad. The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses at IMC in Murray who cared for Dad as he experienced literally his first health care visits in his life this year. We also wish to thank Jonathan from Aspire Home Health and Hospice for his dedication and care of our husband and father.