DELBERT W. ATWOOD Jr.

Delbert W. Atwood, Jr. 1926 ~ 2011 Delbert W. Atwood, Jr., age 84, passed away June 26, 2011 inSandy, UT. Born in Los Angeles on December 29, 1926 to Delbert W. Atwood, Sr. and Lulu May Ludolph Atwood, he was the eldest of four children. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City in 1944 and immediately after graduation enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in Pearl Harbor as a Radioman, and was later honorably discharged in 1946. After his Navy service, he returned to Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949. He also earned an EDS degree in 1974. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and remained active after his graduation. In 1948, he married Mary Louise Bush, with whom he had three sons. In 1967, he married Faye A. Powell, to whom he was married for 35 years. During his lifetime, Del was deeply involved with data management and computer operations for various companies in the Salt Lake City area. He has the distinction of being the first person in Utah to be recognized as a Certified Data Processor. He was a lifetime member of the Data Processing Management Association, DPMA, and served as their International President in 1978. At the time of his retirement in 1988, he was the manager of computer system operations for the Utah State Office of Education in Salt Lake City. He attained the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America, with Bronze, Gold, and Silver Eagle Palms. He also earned the prestigious and rare Silver Beaver Award for his adult service to Scouting. He is survived by his three sons: William Atwood (Debra), Marty Atwood (Lisa), David Atwood (Debi); step-daughter Cindy Powell (Flemming Nielsen); sister Doris Irwin (Don); brother Mearle Atwood (Cindy); and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Faye Atwood and brother Turrell Atwood. Funeral services will be held Friday July 1, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. in Salt Lake City. Interment will immediately follow the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Boy Scouts of America, Great Salt Lake Council, to which he devoted a large part of his life because he believed in how it helps young boys grow into strong, capable men.