John Hal Marsden

John Hal Marsden 1923 ~ 2008 John Hal Marsden died peacefully in his home on July 14, 2008. He has passed on to reunite with his beloved wife, Helen, who preceded him in death. He is survived by a daughter, Pamela Christensen of Orem, Utah and a son, John S. Marsden and his wife Tambi who reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, Cori Llewelyn, Jeni Clayton, John E. Marsden, Dane A. Christensen, Ryan A. Marsden, Jared S. Marsden, Quinn Christensen, Kim Christensen, Tyler T. Marsden and Megan Marsden. He also is survived by 18 great-grandchildren. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John (or 'Hal' as his hometown knew him) was born in Tremonton, Utah on November 5, 1923, but a short time later his family moved back to Tooele, Utah. He grew up in Tooele among family and friends. Upon graduation John, pursued his ambition to become a doctor by attending Utah State University, and then the University of Utah. He joined the Army during the war, and was sent back to school as the military needed doctors. He interned in Santa Barbara, California, during which time he married his only love, Helen Wright, an R.N. he had met while working in Salt Lake City. He joined the Air Force and was the Hill Air Force base pediatrician. They lived in Ogden during this time. His residency was spent at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He became a Pediatrician and started a very successful practice in the San Fernando Valley in California. During this very busy time he became the bishop of the Van Nuys III Ward and served on several High Councils in the Church. He later left private practice and entered the Pharmaceutical industry, working at Mead Johnson in Evansville, Indiana. In 1968, he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to work for Eli Lilly, where he moved up in management to retire in 1988 as Vice President of Medical Research. His brilliant and incisive mind became a valuable resource to his work at Lilly, where he helped develop many well-known drugs. He also served his church in the High Council, and later as a Counselor in the Stake Presidency, where upon his release he was called as Stake Patriarch, giving over 300 Patriarchal blessings both in Indiana and in Utah, including most of his grandchildren. Upon retirement, John moved to San Luis Obispo, California for a short time before returning to Utah, first living in Salt Lake City, where he enjoyed many activities and spent much time with his grandchildren. He and Helen served a genealogy mission to England for 18 months. When he lost his beloved Helen after 48 years, he decided to return home to Tooele, Utah, where he owned property, building a beautiful home. He started working at the Jordan River Temple, and later the Salt Lake Temple, and became involved in the local community where he became a valuable resource on Tooele History. He also served on the Thrasher Committed with the Presiding Bishopric to distribute sacred church funds to worthwhile organizations. He will really be missed by all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren because of his loving nature and all his wise advice for those who sought his help. John and Helen's capacity to love extended beyond the immediate family to many 'adopted' families. He was a man of honor and integrity, who endured to the end, and whose sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. The funeral will be held at the Tooele Little Mountain Ward 777 E. Skyline Dr. July 18, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive those who would like to pay respects any time after 11:00 a.m.