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BORN
1926
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Garth Mangum Obituary
Garth Leroy Mangum, born July 23, 1926 in Delta, Utah to James Leroy Mangum and Golda Elder, passed away peacefully at home June 7, 2014, surrounded by family and loved ones.
A coal miner and truck driver as a young adult, he served an LDS mission to the Eastern States, where three life changing events occurred. First, it was here that his strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ was born. Second, it was in the mission field that he first met Marion Poll, then serving as a sister missionary, who would later become his eternal companion. And third, it was on the advice of his mission president that he return home, not to the coal mines, but to furthering his formal education. A graduate of Brigham Young University (BS Economics), Harvard University (MPA, PhD Economics), and, on a bit of a whim and much later in life, the University of Utah (Law), he worked on Capitol Hill and as a member or executive director of a number of presidential commissions during the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations, and as a faculty member at BYU (1959-1961), George Washington University (1965-1969), and the University of Utah (1969-1997). Over the years, he consulted with international organizations and governments all over the world. A prolific author, he published over 50 scholarly books in labor economics and related fields. An ever faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he continuously focused on serving others...as bishop, counselor in a mission presidency, high councilor, consistent home teacher, and as a long serving church service missionary in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission which he was involved in launching.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marion Poll Mangum; his sister Gai (Les) Elmer; his brother, Kerry Mangum; his brothers in law, Robert Call and Bob Hall; his children and their spouses, Steve and Troba Mangum, Dave and Stevie Mangum, Mary and Jim Murphy, Susie and Chad Gardner, and Holly and Joel Wright; his 19 grandchildren; his 19 great-grandchildren; and his former students now regarded by all as adopted family members; Macleans A. Geo Ja-Ja, his wife Florence and their daughter Marilyn, and Newton Miller Aganyemi.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Maple Hills LDS Chapel, 1320 East 1975 South, Bountiful. Friends are welcome to visit the family on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bountiful Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful and Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church, prior to the services. Burial in the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. Online memories and condolences may be shared at russonmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Garth Mangum
Sponsored by Russon Brothers Mortuary - Bountiful.
Don Perkins
June 2, 2024
He was the most brilliant man I´ve ever known. Went in with him on several journal articles. Despite his astuteness he was never pretentious and was very down to you earth.1
Larry Reid
June 2, 2023
In 1974 Dr. Mangum, Bob Henson and I traveled to Romania as part of an information exchange program through the U S Department of Labor. He and Bob helped me at the beginning of my career in Training and Development. I will always be grateful to them both for all I learned from them and the support they gave me.
Don Perkins, MS Labor Economics, U of U
June 4, 2022
The most brilliant man I ever knew. He could convey in a couple paragraphs what others tried to do in multiple pages. He was also a super nice and encouraging human being. DP
Don Perkins
June 3, 2019
Most fluid, brilliant, and astute person I ever knew. He could write more in a couple paragraphs than others could in several pages. He was also very kind and patient with me when I would come to him with economic/welfare concerns. It was a pleasure to interface with him. So much writing in behalf of the down-
trodden, hard to see how he could have contributed any more. Utmost respect !
Larry Reid
October 6, 2015
I worked with Dr. Mangum and one of his graduate students from the University of Utah on a seminar that we conducted in Romania during the 1970's. Dr. Mangum left a real impression on me and I will never forget him. He was a kind and thoughtful gentleman who shared his wealth of knowledge with everyone who wanted to learn.
David and Sharon Manookin
June 16, 2014
Dear Marian and family - We were sorry to find out abut Garth's passing after returning home from our 46th anniversary trip in Oregon on the 15th. We would loved to have been with you all again to celebrate the wonderful man we knew and loved, as well as holding each of you once again. We look forward to meeting up again some time and hope it will be soon. Our love to you always, Dave and Sharon Manookin.
Robert and Georgia Gorringe
June 13, 2014
David, Stevie and the Mangum Family, please accept our sincere condolences at this very sad time.
What a shame we did not know Garth. According to his obituary, he was an extraordinary person!
Sincerely,
Your next door neighbors,
Bob and Georgia Gorringe
June 12, 2014
Dear Marion and family,
As we are still in NYC finishing up our mission, we were unable to attend Garth's funeral. When he was called as bishop of the newly formed University 21st Ward, we were not only blessed with a marvelous bishop but also were blessed with the entire Mangum family: Marion making quilts for every new baby, and Steve, Dave, Mary and Susie loving our children in the nursery. You graciously welcomed us into your home not only as young married students but also throughout the years since.
Bishop Mangum was a wise and caring bishop as well as a great leader and speaker.
Love,
Larry and Janet Peterson
Don Perkins
June 12, 2014
Marion et. al.;
So enjoyed the funeral yesterday and the grave side end of it as well.
Had opportunity to visit with Macleans A. Geo-JaJa at the cemetary.
He credits Garth with so much in his career and life.
For some years I was involved with Garth, first, with gathering data
for a paper or two that he wrote and so graciously gave me credit as
a co- author; second, as I involved myself with the State legislature he
would tutor me on my efforts and experiences there. The particular
issues involved now either escape me or are distant memories. But
interacting with Garth on one thing or another is fresh in my mind and
was always such a positive experience.
In the course of our involvement, my youngest daughter Jenny applied
for an internship with Ted Kennedy just before his passing. When Garth
found this out he had me bring her out to visit with him and then wrote
a strong letter of recommendation to Kennedy et. al. It worked! She even played
Ted Sox softball that summer. I still have the tee-shirt. Ted died before
the year was out.
Subsequently, Jenny went to Thomas Jefferson Law School in San Diego
and graduated just 4 Saturdays ago. Meant to let Garth know that,
but procrastinated too long. He always encouaged others to grow and I
know he would have rejoiced with me in her progress.
More personally, after working as a Labor Economist and then a Health
Research Analyst I digressed to working as a painting contractor. Although
I have been successful as a contractor, this was hard on my self esteem.
Interacting with Garth restored my self esteem as an economist and made me
feel I could still use my training for good purposes. His example was priceless.
Thanks Garth, & thanks Marion for sharing him with me as you did for so many
others.
Sincerely,
Don Perkins, MS Labor Economics
P.S. I know he worked on his personal history in recent years. I am active
LDS and would very much like to have a copy. I would be glad to compensate
you for it, run copies for you for others,or whatever. If this request is too bold
of me feel free to egnore it. DP
e-mail: [email protected]
address: 5349 Robinwood Circle
Taylorsville, Utah 84129
phone: 801-209-1486 mobile
Bob and Rulene Allen
June 11, 2014
Dear Marian and your family,
We were so saddened to learn of Garth's passing. We had a flood of fond memories come to us. We have been acquaintances and friends for over half a century starting in the 50's in the Eastern States Mission. Bob and Garth were companions for a time as were Marion and Rulene. Marian and Rulene have had a close relationship from our missionary days. Rulene even sang a special song at Garth and Marian's wedding and we managed to drop in on their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. We've had many, many choice experiences together. We love you, Marian and we pray that the Lord will bless and comfort you and your family at this time.
Love,
Liz Tripp
June 11, 2014
Dear Marion, Steve and Troba, Mary, Dave, and Suzie,
I am saddened by your loss. Your husband and father is a wonderful man as you well know. He was always so kind to me. I appreciate him getting me a job in Boston for the summer. I'm sure his work continues and he will be looking after you on the other side of the veil. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
June 11, 2014
Dear Mangum Family,
I first became acquainted with Garth in my graduate work at the University of Utah. He was an outstanding teacher and friend and helped make that experience one from which I benefited greatly. It was exciting to have a political discussion with him and benefit from his thoughtful insight. He was one to always make you think. As the years passed, I had the opportunity of working with him in various community endeavors in Human Services and was able to draw on his expertise and support. Most recently, he was a support on the Inner City Mission and the LDS Church Humanitarian Services work for which I had some responsibility. Through all these years, I loved his sound advice, his devotion to helping others and his passion for service. Garth was a brilliant and good man. We will miss him. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lynn A. Samsel
June 11, 2014
Dear Elder Mangum,
Our hearts are with you today. Your Dad was a great example, a grand Father, and worthy man. His influence on you is obvious, you are also a man of integrity. May the Lord be with you at this time and please know that many love you.
George and Myrna Broschinsky
Rosanne Hunt
June 10, 2014
Dear Marian and family,
How sorry we were to hear of Garth's passing. Such a good and gifted man. So glad to have known him.
I (Rosanne) am having a small surgical procedure in the morning so will not be able to attend the funeral. Please know my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Sincerely and with love,
Rosanne and Bill Hunt
June 10, 2014
Brilliant, thought-provoking, eye-opening essays in Dialogue were my introduction to Professor Mangum, and I still refer to them four decades later in teaching Church classes. I have learned his wisdom and compassion matched his erudition. Grateful for his contribution. Sad to see him go. Pleased to have 3rd generation Mangums in my ward and neighborhood--wonderful contributers themselves. God bless the great Mangum Family.
Louis Moench
June 10, 2014
Family, I worked with Garth for several years in the social services area. I served with him on the Utah Issues Board and always knew and felt he had a passion for those less fortunate. His academic work helped back up what we were trying to do in the services we offered. He will be missed but not forgotten. Thanks for sharing him with us for so many years.
Kerry Steadman
Blatt
June 10, 2014
Dear Dave and Stevie, so sorry for your loss, we will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Jim and Bonnie Rock
June 9, 2014
Dear Marion and family,
Garth was my strongest academic and service mentor while I was chair of the Department of Economics and the University of Utah. He was such a fine man.
Bonnie and I are enroute to Wisconsin and are sorry we will not be able to visit with the family or attend the service this coming Wednesday. We would have especially enjoyed visiting with Steve. God Bless you all.
In Sympathy,
Jim and Bonnie Rock
Dawn Geyser Chalanick
June 9, 2014
Susie,
It's hard to express the deepness of my sorrow for you, your mother and your family. John and I are thinking of all of you and sending caring thoughts & prayers your way.
Every person is unique and a gift from the good Lord above. Your father, Mr. Magnum will be remembered as a special blessing to the many people lives he touched. For me, he was like a second dad and your parents always made me feel loved & treated me as part of your family ever since I moved to Utah in 1979. Mr. Magnum will always have a special place deep in my heart:-).
It is FAITH that lifts us at this sad time. It is LOVE that brings us comfort. It's are Family & Friends to share the many memories of Mr. Mangum's LOVE and AMAZNG EXAMPLE. It's HOPE that helps the healing. It's PEACE knowing he's with our heavenly father. May God Bless you, your mother and family and bring comfort as you take one day at a time. I love you.
Visiting two very special people that always treated me like family.
Dawn Geyser Chalanick
June 9, 2014
Teresa Christensen
June 9, 2014
Honoring a man who accomplished much during his earthly sojourn and left an amazing legacy...I feel blessed to know some of his descendants (or legacy). He will be missed, but surely his work continues across the veil! Peace, love and joy until you meet again...
June 9, 2014
Garth was a valuable asset in helping me with my employment . (State Planning ) .. and getting an M.S from the U... he also assisted me in negotiating some of my differences with Thayne...my condolences.... Mike Kirkham
June 8, 2014
I knew Garth when we served on a service mission in the inner city. He was a great leader and inspiration for me. He will truly be missed. Craig
Dennis Chamberlain
June 8, 2014
I had a Graduate Course for my Masters Degree from Garth. He was an excellent professor and well versed teacher. The top in his field of economics. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I send my deepest sympathies and condolences to the Mangum family. Garth was a great man in his field and will be significantly missed.
Fred Williams
June 8, 2014
Garth is a great guy with a lovely family. He'll be missed. Well done Bishop.
June 8, 2014
Dave and Stevie. Condolences from Dave and Wendy Dahl in Las Vegas. Garth influenced my education and career decisions while at the U. Dave
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
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