Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Jay Dee Bingham, age 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Orchard View Assisted Living Center in Payson, Utah.
Jay was born on May 25, 1931, in Ogden, Utah, to Seymour Walter (Bing) and Zoy Anderson Bingham. When he was six years old, his family moved to Salina, Utah. He attended grade school at Salina Elementary and graduated from North Sevier High School where he was Senior Class President.
Jay worked in Salt Lake City for two years at the International Harvester Company, supporting his older brother, Don, on his LDS mission. Jay then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Australia. He returned to Salt Lake City in April 1953.
He worked at the Hotel Utah Garage for a couple of months. He then entered the Armed Services, filling his basic training at Fort Ord, California. While home on leave, he married Sherla Westover on November 4, 1953, in the Manti Temple. A few days later, he reported to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, prior to sailing to Germany, where he served the remainder of his time in the U.S. Army. His wife, Sherla, joined him four months after he went to Germany, and their first son, Karl, was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Jay and Sherla are the parents of five children – Karl, Duane, Daryl, Melody and Renae.
After being released from the Army, Jay and his family returned to Utah, making their home in Santaquin. Jay worked for his father-in-law in the fruit-growing business. He attended school at Brigham Young University, Utah State University and University of Utah, majoring in Industrial Arts and Education. He taught school in Samoa, Murray, and Granite School Districts. While living in Casper, Wyoming, he ran his own company called “Bingham Hot Shot” delivering parts to oil rigs. His favorite job was teaching school and special education students.
In 1963 – 1965, Jay and Sherla moved their family to Pesenga, Western Samoa where he taught Industrial Arts at the Church College of Western Samoa. They all loved their time in Samoa and have many special memories.
Jay was a very faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. He served as Bishop of the Granite 3rd Ward in Granite/Sandy Utah for several years, as a High Councilman, and a Seventy.
Jay’s wife, Sherla, passed away on August 6, 1975.
He married Patricia Carling; they had one daughter, Sara. They later divorced.
Jay married Evelyn Ekker on December 27,1986. She has been a wonderful and caring companion to Jay. The Bingham Family is grateful to Evelyn, for her love and concern for each of us.
Jay loved going on “Men’s Outings” with his sons. They did this for many years, camping at Island Park, Idaho; the Uinta Mountains, Maple Lake, Fishlake, Panguitch Lake, Payson Canyon, Strawberry Reservoir, Scofield, and many more! When Jay was 80 years old, he traveled to Alaska with his son, Karl – a fishing trip that made many memories.
He was an excellent craftsman and woodworker. His passionate hobby was woodworking in his shop. He made probably 100 beautiful wooden bowls, a sailfish, Christmas angels, jewelry boxes, cedar chests, entertainment centers, tables, and many more beautiful things made of beautiful wood.
Jay was a man of integrity, honesty, having strong moral principles and uprightness. He was always busy doing worthwhile things. One of the hardest things for him in his declining years was that he couldn’t do the projects and service that had previously filled his life. Jay was a man of faith and loved his Savior Jesus Christ. Even when both Jay and Evelyn were in separate assisted living centers, they had their prayers over the phone at 7:00 pm every night before they went to bed.
Jay is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his children: Karl (Kathleen), Duane (Pam), Daryl (Dorothy), Renae Anderson (Tim), Melody (friend – Blair Morris), Sara; and stepchildren: Shelby Box (Ed), Sharon McGough (Ed), Suzie Day (Jeff); as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also survived by his brothers: Wayne (Colleen), and Dean (Karen); and a sister, Luann Mayberry. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sherla; his parents; and his brother, Don Bingham.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Orchard View Assisted Living Center. We wish to thank head nurse, Kelly Powell, Chef Trent and Lisa, to the owners, staff, and CNAs for the extra special care they gave to Jay during his final days and the two years that he lived there. The family would also like to thank Walker Funeral Home for the personal, professional and kind way they took care of Jay.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 952 West 1580 South in Payson, Utah. A viewing will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will be in the Santaquin City Cemetery, 100 East 300 South, Santaquin, Utah.
2 Condolences for Jay Dee Bingham
Condolences(2)
Jarin Criddle says
January 6, 2026 at 9:20 pmMy family and I had the pleasure of living next door to Jay and Evelyn for the past 13 years. They were so good to us and especially our young boys. They loved watching them play in the yard and ride their bikes around the neighborhood. It was like having bonus grandparents right next door. Jay loved his wood shop in his backyard and would always gift us amazing handmade wooden pots, boxes, cups, etc. It was amazing to see how well he maintained their home, yard, and gardens – even when he turned 90! Such a kind, loving and generous man.
Robert Hillyard says
January 9, 2026 at 3:20 pmJay was a true gentle man. Quiet, unassuming, and deferential. He always asked how I was doing. We received many finely crafted “Christmas Angels” in sequential holidays. He was faithful to his Church and dutifully fulfilled his callings. His presence is missed in our congregation and neighborhood.