Verl West Burt
1921 ~ 2017
St. George, UT-Our dear husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on November 3, 2017 in St. George, Utah at the age of 96. He was part of that "Greatest Generation" that fought not for fame and recognition but because it was the right thing to do. He was born on April 17, 1921 to Susan West and Oliver Leroy Burt in Arco, Idaho. At his passing he was the last surviving child.
In his youth he lived in Idaho, South Jordan and Bennion, Utah. He graduated from Granite High School in 1940. In 1942 he said, "patriotism was in the air and I was eager to enlist". He entered the Air Force and served in England, North Africa and Tunisia. He returned home in October 1945.
In the summer of 1946, he met his "true beauty", Joyce Dyer. They were married in the Logan Temple on July 2, 1947. In 1950 he was again called to serve, this time in Korea. He returned home safely to a grateful wife and daughter in 1951. Together Verl and Joyce raised 7 children in their Holladay home. Danna (Bruce) Nelson, Debbie (Ren) Boyce, Kevin-deceased (Melanie) Burt, Kelly (Laurie) Burt, Denise (David) Paul, Kim (Elizabeth) Burt and Kris (Suzanne) Burt. Dad loved family life. His children enjoyed many family vacations and gatherings filled with fun and laughter.
He was employed for 26 years at the Utah Oil Refinery. He left the refinery in 1973 and started Burt Excavating. His thoughts were to stay in the construction business for about 10 years and then retire. Those 10 years turned into 30 and he retired at the age of 82! Our family was taught by example that a strong work ethic would give us the opportunity to reach our greatest potential.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he had a powerful testimony of our Savior, The Book of Mormon and the blessings of the temple. He served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple for 20 years.
Joyce passed away in 1992 of complications due to diabetes. Dad cared for Mom in such an amazing way throughout her illness. He married Ruth Madsen in1994 and cared for her during her trials with Alzheimer's Disease. She passed away in 2004. He then began a friendship with Jean Hargreaves in 2006 which led to their marriage in January 2007. Dad had always been the caregiver but as he began to have challenges with macular degeneration, Jean became his eyes. Together they shared the joy of companionship in the winter season of their lives. As a family, we pay tribute to Jean for the gentle caring way she loved our Dad. In 2016 he received special recognition for his military service in Washington, D.C. and was able to visit the many war memorials with his sons on the Utah Honor Flight. He loved his country and acknowledged the great blessing of living here in freedom.
As a father of 7 children and their spouses, 39 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren, he was loving, kind and always a gentleman. We cherished his wisdom, counsel and especially his sense of humor and endless optimism. We love you Dad! We will miss you until we meet again.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Winder 4th Ward Chapel located at 950 East 3825 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary located at 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah and one hour prior to services.
Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Please share a memory at www.memorialutah.com
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Published in Deseret News from Nov. 9 to Nov. 12, 2017
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