Thad Wasden

Aurora, Utah - Thad Richard Wasden, age 85, passed away January 17, 2008 from a sudden heart attack. He left us with a great sorrow in our hearts, but a sure knowledge of our reunion with him in the future. Thad was born May 12, 1922 in Scipio, Utah, a son of Carl William and Ida Bevan Johnson Wasden. He married his love and eternal companion, Valna Joy Mason, March 1, 1943 in the Manti LDS Temple. These eternal sweethearts spend their lives in Aurora, Utah. Their occupation was raising their four children, numerous grand and great-grandchildren in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Family was paramount and they would, and did, give their all to their family. They also loved, owned and operated the Wasden Family Ranch. Thad loved to ranch and he and his son worked from daylight to dark with the land and cattle. He always had a grandchild in tow to teach. Thad functioned as a Justice of the Peace and Municipal Court Judge in the North Sevier area for over 30 years. He was a Veteran of the Second World War where he served our nation in the US Army and fought for us in both the European and the Pacific Theaters. He was active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Utah Farm Bureau, Willow Bend Irrigation and he retired from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Jeep Posse. Thad served as a High Priest and on the High Council of the LDS Church. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for his years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. He had a great love of sports and family and was always there to cheer on his grandchildren during their sporting events. He was a superb singer with a great love of music, this talent he passed on to his children along with his belief in a strong work ethic. Thad’s legacy is the example that he set for those of us left behind and our reunion with him will be glorious. Thad is survived by his wife, Valna, of Aurora; children: Patricia and Dell Allred, Rosalie and Michele Colby, Richard and Sher-ee Wasden, Tammy and Steve Tatum; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister and brothers: Loraine Monroe of Scipio; Blain and Ruth Wasden of Salt Lake City; Bruce and Jean Wasden of Taylorsville. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Lydia and Marie Wasden; brothers, Fred, Jed, Ray and Willard Wasden. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12 Noon in the Aurora 1st LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Sunday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Monday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.