R Delos Andrews Obituary (1927 - 2016)

R Delos Andrews slipped peacefully from this life on December 25, 2016 (Christmas Day) at the age of 89. Surrounded by many family members, he died at his home in Salem, Utah, of natural causes a few weeks before his ninetieth birthday. Delos was born on January 19, 1927 in Aurora, Utah, the third of five children born to Orvil and Millie Jane (Durfee) Andrews. He had two brothers and two sisters. He graduated from North Sevier High School in Salina, where he was active in sports, especially loving baseball and basketball. He and his two brothers were highly competitive, playing on high school, town and church ball teams. On June 14, 1945 he married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Dyreng, in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they raised five children, three daughters and two sons, and have always been the perfect example of a couple in love. Improving his life and providing for his family were of prime importance to Delos. He was taught by his father to be a farmer, cattleman, and a hard-worker, receiving the FFA American Farmer Degree in 1948. He developed a skill for evaluating livestock and worked as a broker for large cattle companies in both California and Arizona. While in California, he went to Auctioneer School and entertained family, friends, and ward members with that unique talent on many occasions. Through the years, he and Maxine lived and worked in Aurora and Payson, UT; Downey and San Luis Obispo, CA; Tempe and Green Valley, AZ. They returned to Utah in 1970 living in Mona, Spanish Fork and Orem before building their home in Salem in 1980. Always an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Delos served in bishoprics, high councils, Young Men and the Sunday School organization. He and Maxine served as workers in the Provo Temple and as missionaries in the LDS Cannery in Springville and the Orlando Florida Temple. He loved the outdoors, riding horses and four-wheeling. He took great joy in providing these activities for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Delos is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ula May (died as a youth) and LaVeda Taylor, and brother, Neldon. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 1/2 years, Maxine of Salem, UT; brother Verness (Elizabeth) of Payson, UT; children: Melvin Delos (Katherine) of, La Place, LA; Connie Lee (Barry) Booth of Gilbert, AZ; Patsy (Thomas) Young of Walla Walla, WA; Julie (Reed) Turnbow of Salem, UT; Steven Lane (Rita) of Rio Linda, CA. He is the proud grandfather of 31 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Salem 4th Ward LDS Church, 25 W Apple Blossom Way, Salem, UT. Viewings will be held at the church Friday, December 30, 2016, 6:00 - 8:00pm, and Saturday 9:30 - 10:45am, prior to the services. Interment will be at the Salem City Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staff at Parkway Health Center in Payson and iCare Hospice in Springville for their care and kindness this past month.