Edward Elbert Veatch September 17, 1941 - May 19, 2020

Edward Elbert “Ed” Veatch, age 78, passed away in Payson, Utah on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. He was surrounded by his sweetheart and children who joined hands with him in prayer around his bedside as he took his last breath.

Ed was born September 17, 1941 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Donald Parker Veatch and Marie Madeline Petersen Veatch, the second of five children. He graduated from Klamath Union High School and immediately joined the Army. He served his country in Germany for three years as part of the Signal Corps. He was very proud of knowing Morse Code fluently. After completing his military service, he returned to Oregon and attended Oregon Technical Institute where he studied engineering and surveying and earned his associate’s degree. In 1966 he experienced a terrible car accident and was in a coma for three weeks. He recovered from the accident because he still had a long and beautiful life to live. He moved to Utah to attend BYU and while he was in Utah, he met his sweetheart and eternal companion, Alona Jackman. He immediately fell in love with her and her two young children, Mary and Troy. He would arrive early to pick her up for a date so he could spend time reading and playing with her children. Ed and Alona married on August 20, 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity and her children were sealed to them that day. He legally adopted both children and raised them as his own.

He and Alona had 6 children together between 1971 and 1982. Their first child Donald Golden “Donnie” lived 20 hours before returning to live with his Heavenly Father. We can imagine the beautiful reunion between father and son they experienced on Tuesday night.

As his children, we never witnessed an argument between our parents. He never raised his voice to our mother and he showered her with love and affection until the end. He loved deeply and was loved in return by everyone who knew him

More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. He would take them camping in the summer, spend time playing cards and games, taught his children to ride their bikes and later to drive a car. He prayed with his family every day and led family home evening every week. On Christmas Eve each year he would read the Christmas story from the bible, with his children acting out the parts of Mary and Joseph, the wise men, the angel, and baby Jesus

He was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He held many church callings including Sunday School teacher, Ward Missionary, Stake Missionary, and High Priest. He served a mission with his wife at the LDS Employment office and he sang in the ward choir with his wife.

He was also an avid BYU sports fan as well as a Utah Jazz fan and rarely missed a televised game.

In 2014 Ed experienced a stroke which led to diagnoses of Parkinson’s, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Dementia. His body fought hard for six years until he became tired and it was his time to go. He was the most perfect example of unconditional love, spiritual strength, and dedication to God and family.

God be with you till we meet again;

Keep love’s banner floating o’er you

Put his arms unfailing round you.

God be with you till we meet again

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus’ feet

God be with you till we meet again.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful nurses and staff at Encompass Hospice for loving our father and taking such kind and gentle care of him so he was comfortable in his last days. Thank you Ann, Donna, and Lyndi. We owe you everything.

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Ed is survived by his wife Alona, his children Mary Veatch, Troy (Masha) Veatch, John Veatch, Marie (Stephen) Crawford, Michael (Tina) Veatch, Sarah Furst, and Jennifer (Jared) Clyde, 28 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, his siblings Richard (Barbara) Veatch, Ellen Jones, and Susan Veatch, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. We will miss him terribly.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Marie, his older brother Jim, and his infant son Donnie.

A viewing will be held at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Graveside services will follow at Salem City Cemetery, 965 South 140 East, Salem, Utah at 1:00 pm.