J Robert Brimhall obituary - Obituary provided by Utah Tributes

J Robert Brimhall

Toquerville

1925 - 2008

J Robert Brimhall, loving husband, father, brother and friend, returned to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and family but not until after the lawn was mowed; the garden dug, and the radishes, tomatoes and peas were growing.

Bob was born in Draper, Utah on April 5, 1925 to Jesse Temple and Veda Collett Brimhall. The sixth of ten children, he grew up riding horses, milking cows, operating machinery, farming, ranching. He shared his father’s unquenchable drive to cultivate the West. With his brothers, he farmed, built houses, excavated roads, branded cattle, and refined oil. He loved working with them, and together, they left a great legacy.

He served in the U.S. Navy during War II and fulfilled an LDS Mission to the North Central States – portions of which were “without purse or scrip.” There he met the lovely and talented Dorothy Ruth Johnson of Prescott, Arizona. They were married on Sept. 11, 1949 in the Mesa Arizona temple and spent the next 58 years on their honeymoon, two of which were as missionaries in Hawaii.

Together they raised nine wonderful children. He was a great father and loved to spend time with the family fishing, camping or singing, but the real family vacations were at the farm where he passed his knowledge and work ethic to the kids. He left us with no doubt about his love for God, family, country and humankind.

Bob graduated from the U of U with a BA and MS in Political Science. He was a born leader, with uncompromising integrity. Among his jobs were Rancher, Director of U of U maintenance shops, Excavation Contractor, Executive Director of the Utah State Public Employees Association, and Legislative Lobbyist. He was a master at working with people and was known and loved by everyone he met.

He loved his work in the Church and served in many callings including High Councilor, Bishop, and Patriarch. He was a tireless worker, with a deep appreciation of people’s needs, and a zeal that was contagious. Through his church callings, he blessed the lives of thousands of people.

Bob is survived by his wife Dorothy, children Steven (Sandra), Ruth (Kelly Buckner), Marilyn (Christer Lundell), Merrill (Michele), Daniel (Leslie), Owen (Darlene), Robin (Terry Malaska), Jesse (DeeAnn), Nicolette (Dave Fike), 44 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, also his brothers DeMar and Gary, and his sisters Beulah Huntsman, Glenna Pier, Dorothy Slaugh, and Norma Taylor.

Preceded in death by his siblings; Ray, Dell and Rhonda Jack and his GG-children Ethan Boam and Corbin Lundell. Friends and family are invited to a viewing Friday May 9, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Memorial Mortuary 5850 S. 900 E. in Murray. Funeral Services will be Saturday May 10, 2:00 p.m. at the LDS chapel at 63 N. Toquerville Blvd, Toquerville, Utah. Viewing at 12:30. Interment to follow in the Toquerville City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers make contributions to Humanitarian Aid or Perpetual Education Fund. . . and plant a garden.