Veldon Izatt Obituary
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Creek Assisted Living Center in Smithfield, Utah on July 10, 2025 after bravely facing the challenges of dementia. Veldon was
born August 17, 1935 at home in Turnerville, Wyoming to Leslie and Delia Elizabeth Crouch Izatt. He was the youngest of four
boys, born to a family of strong and devoted brothers- Lenord, Keith and Stanley- who were lifelong friends and examples of
brotherly love.
His family moved to Freedom, Wyoming when he was about 3 years old when his father, Leslie, acquired a sawmill, the
Freedom Lumber Company. Veldon found so much joy working there alongside his dad, siblings, children, nephews and even
a few nieces. The sawmill became more than just a place of work, it was where family and purpose came together.
He attended Freedom Elementary and then went to Junior High and High School in Afton, Wyoming where he graduated in
1953. Ten years later, driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference, he returned to school. He attended
Ricks College (currently BYU-Idaho) and later Brigham Young University, where he majored in history and received a
Bachelor's degree in education. Just one week after graduating, he accepted his first teaching position at a girls reform school
in Caliente, Nevada. It was there that his passion for teaching and compassion for youth truly increased, as he devoted the
next 30 years to education, ultimately finishing his career at Star Valley High School.
He married his life-long sweetheart, Veloy Aldine Hemmert, on July 20, 1954 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were married
just 10 days shy of 71 years. Together they raised five children who cherished their father with all their hearts. He wasn't just
a teacher in the classroom, he was a teacher at home. He led by example, showing those around him the value of hard work,
the importance of spending quality time with family, and the healing power of laughter. He believed that even in life's most
difficult moments, a shared smile or a good laugh could help lighten the load.
Veldon served in many positions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with his role as Bishop being the most
influential. Together with his beloved wife, he served a full time mission in the Rochester New York mission from March 1996
to March 1997, laboring faithfully in the Buffalo and Warsaw areas. His dedication to temple service was profound as he
served 17 years in the Idaho Falls Temple and nearly two years in the Star Valley Temple, offering countless hours in humble
service. Our dad's unwavering testimony stood as a beacon of strength and profound example to everyone around him. He
was a man of deep faith, quiet strength and constant love. He lived his life with integrity, kindness and deep devotion to his
family. His presence brought comfort, his words offered wisdom, and his example left a legacy that will guide us forever.
Veldon loved the great outdoors, especially the mountains, where he found peace and joy. He also had a great love for singing,
a passion that began in his childhood with Mrs. Rose Hanson, a little German neighbor who would sit for hours in the backyard
singing with him and sharing songs that sparked his lifelong joy for music. His voice was so effortless and full of joy. Many
can remember being in church and hearing Veldon's strong and clear voice, rising above the entire congregation. For Veldon,
music was a part of who he was, a gift he shared freely, lifting spirits with every note.
Our beloved woodsman and extraordinary teacher is survived by his precious companion, Veloy Aldine Hemmert Izatt, 5
children: Lorene (Steve) Spencer, Jed (Kathy) Izatt, Dena (Kim) Luthi, Dale (LouAnn) Izatt, and Lisa (Rigo) Chaparro; 37
grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren; 1 brother: Stanley (Sandra) Izatt. He was preceded in death by his parents and
siblings: Leslie Izatt, Delia Elizabeth Crouch Izatt; Lenord and Carma Izatt, Keith and Gayle Izatt and Mona Izatt; one great
grandson: Keelan Pond; 3 nieces and two nephews.
A viewing will be held Friday, July 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Schwab Mortuary in Thayne, Wyoming. A viewing will also be
held on July 19 from 9:30 am to 10:45 a.m. followed by the funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. in the Freedom Ward chapel.
The interment will be in the Freedom, Wyoming Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
A Zane Clark
July 23, 2025
The term BFF is usually associated with teenage girls, but I can´t think of any other designation to describe my 85 year friendship with Veldon . This friendship started when we moved to the house next to the sawmill. The next few years that we lived there, we had many great adventures , using the sawmill as our playground. Veldon was a year older than me so when I started first grade a year behind him, we became school playground friends, and this continued on through grade school and high school.
When I was in the seventh grade, and Veldon the eighth, the school principal moved me over to the eighth grade side of the room, so I graduated with Veldon and we attended high school together, taking almost all of the same classes .
When I was 13 years old, I got a surprise gift of a motor scooter, and Veldon and I spent many Sunday afternoons exploring the lower Valley, particularly up on the east side as far as Turnerville and Bedford.
We formed a boys quartet when I was about 12 years old and we called ourselves the funeral quartet because our signature song, the hymn "Oh My Father," which we sang at funerals all over the valley.
When we graduated, I went to down to Rick`s college and Veldon, soon after graduation, married his high school and hometown sweetheart Veloy. I was very happy about this, as I also had fond memories of Veloy. In grade school, our school lunches were not really something that I want to think too much about, but they had a rule that you had to eat everything on your plate before you could leave the lunchroom. I remember Veloy sitting by my side , patiently coaxing me to get through my food so I could go outside during the lunch hour and play. So, as I said, I was well pleased that he had chosen this very sweet, beautiful eternal companion.
Veldon was working in the mill while starting to raise a young family, when he decided it was time to further his education and he attended Ricks and BYU, where he obtained an education degree, and no one was more pleased than I was when he was able to return to the valley as a school teacher in our high school, where we had shared some good memories.
I rejoiced with him over the years at his many accomplishments, including being called as Bishop of the Freedom Ward, and later when he announced his retirement, and was chosen as the commencement speaker for high school. I have to admit I shared some tears at these accomplishments.
Veldon was in charge of our 20 year high school reunion in Afton. We drove up from California to attend the reunion. The classmates still in the valley, had seem him gradually lose his hair until he was almost totally bald. What our classmates didn´t know, since I had attended very few reunions over the years, was that I was also bald, but at this time I was wearing a toupee, so Veldon and i cooked up this little stunt. During the program where they recognized classmates for various things, he said they were giving a prize to the one with the least hair. He looked around and said "well I guess that´s me." I stood up and said "just a minute Veldon."
I went up to the front of the room and we walked out into the hallway where I quickly took off my toupee, and put it on Veldon and we walked back into the room. I think the phrase "brought down the house" is appropriate here, as they laughed for so long. I remember one laughed so hard he was out of the chair and on his knees.
I heard that that Veldon had bought the old school house where we had enjoyed so many things together, but one thing that wasn´t so enjoyable is when I was in the 3rd grade, I was unjustly accused of throwing a rock through a window after school. It was a traumatic thing for me. I still remember sitting in tears as the teacher and the principal quizzed me about this, and I ask Veldon if we could do something to help me get past this memory. He said sure, so we walked through the field, picked up rocks and proceeded to break out some of the remaining windows in the school.
I know that the "forever" in BFF, means we still have some exciting adventures ahead of us!
Shanna Whitlock Blackburn
July 19, 2025
I met the family of a Veldon Izatt while he was attending classes at BYU in Provo, Utah. I went to elementary school with Lorene. I was and continue to be very impressed by the Izatt family. I have a lot of fun and fond memories of them. Please accept my condolences, grief is a difficult thing but Families are indeed forever.
Tamra Nield Furqueron
July 16, 2025
I had veldon as a teacher when I was in high school.. he was one of my favorites. My deepest sympathies,
Tamra Nield Furqueron
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