Edward Royden Christian May 16, 1932 - July 24, 2024

Edward Royden Christian, 92, of Salem, Utah, passed away on July 24, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in St. George, Utah, on May 16, 1932, to Edward Charles and Vera Seegmiller Christian. He grew up in St. George and was the oldest of four children. At the age of 20, he invited Evelyn Gubler to go for a ride with him and never left her again without making another date. They were married on April 23, 1953, in the St. George Temple. Royden and Evelyn enjoyed 71 amazing years together.
Early in their marriage, Royden was drafted into the United States Army and served at the end of the Korean War. He left for basic training 11 weeks after they were married. Luckily, they were blessed to see each other five months later before he sailed overseas for 18 more months. After he returned from his military service, Royden and Evelyn moved with their family to Salt Lake City while he attended the University of Utah, where he completed his degree in accounting.
After graduation, Royden and Evelyn moved to Bountiful, Utah, where they purchased their first home and made lifelong friends. Several years later, they returned home to Southern Utah, where they raised their six children in St. George and Santa Clara. Upon retirement, they moved to Salem, Utah, to be closer to more of their children and grandchildren.
Royden was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many church callings, including faithful home teacher, Sunday school superintendent, bishop, and ordinance worker in the Provo and Payson temples. He loved the temple and attended regularly, the last time being two weeks before he passed.
Throughout his life, Royden exhibited many talents and wonderful qualities. He was a talented architect and built two of their homes. A man of great integrity, he worked hard and was always dependable. He was a humble teacher, a loving husband and father, and a great neighbor. As a mark of his caring nature, he was blessed with a unique ability to talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable. Royden had a great love for God, family, and country.
Royden is survived by his wife, Evelyn; their six children: Carylee (Junior) Baker, Mike (Ava) Christian, Doug (Julie) Christian, Sherilyn (Richard) Reed, Darryl (Christy) Christian, and Kathleen (Scott) Benson; 27 grandchildren; and 85 great-grandchildren.
Royden was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Charles and Vera Seegmiller Christian; sister, Janice Sanders; and brothers, Clair Christian and Wendell Christian.
A celebration of Royden’s life will be on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Salem 9th Ward chapel, 60 S Main Street, Salem, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9:00 to 10:45 am. The funeral will proceed at 11:00 am, followed by the burial service at the Salem City Cemetery, 965 S 140 E, Salem, Utah.
Special thanks to iCare Home Health and Hospice and Walker Funeral Home for their kind service.