Albert Bruce Waite

Albert Bruce Waite was born to parents Ray Albert Waite and Marjorie Richards in Holbrook, AZ, on March 4th, 1936. In 1946, the family moved to a farm in LaPlata, NM, while he was just ten years of age. As the Eldest of six siblings and growing up on a farm, he learned the value of hard work and family bonds.
After graduating from high school in 1954, Albert attended Fort Lewis College for a two-semester stint before embarking on his mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Gulf States Mission in Louisiana.
Upon his return home from the mission, he attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Little did he know, this is where he would meet the love of his life, LaDawn Anderson. The two quickly fell for one another and were married at the Logan Temple on December 28th, 1960.
Albert and LaDawn began their family in Logan, Utah, but moved so that he may attain his doctorate in Philosophy of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri.
After graduation, the family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he taught at Central Missouri State University as a professor in Animal Sciences.
Albert and LaDawn had six children, which kept them very busy. If you've heard the stories, then you understand.
In 1976, he moved his family to Farmington, NM, to join the family business, M&R Plumbing, where he worked until his retirement.
As an avid sports fan, he remained loyal to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Utah State Aggies, and he thoroughly enjoyed watching them beat BYU in just about any sport.
As an active Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints member until the very end, Albert lived a faithful life and led by example. While he was a man of few words, you always knew where he stood, especially if he was hungry.
His earthly passing peacefully occurred while surrounded by his family on April 5th, 2025.
Albert was preceded in death by his Grandparents and parents, his wife LaDawn in 2010, his daughter Kimberly in 2015, and his daughter Kelly in 2020.
He is survived by his remaining children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and her husband, Frank Schumacher, Erice Albert Waite and his wife, Valerie Waite, Steven Bruce Waite and his wife, Amber Waite, Samuel Joseph Waite and his wife, Shannon Waite, 17 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren and, of course, Murdock, his cat.
The funeral service is on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the LDS Church, 400 West Apache, Farmington, NM 87401 at 11 AM. Lunch will follow the service, where all are welcome.
His final resting place is at Paradise Cemetery in Paradise, Utah, beside his beloved wife and daughters.
Thank you to the many from the community who have shown their love for Albert by reaching out to us and sharing stories and experiences. While his family and friends will greatly miss him, we all bear comfort in knowing he helped and cared for so many over the years.