Parley Dean Thompson March 31, 1943 - January 9, 2020

Utah Resident Parley Dean Thompson passed away 9 January 2020 in Lindon Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents Elden and Elna and his beloved wife Earlene. He is survived by his sisters Carla and Geneal, and his children Tom, Ben, Sierra and Elden Thompson.

Parley was born on 31 March 1943 in Pocatello Idaho. His mother was Rhoda Elna Thompson, his father was Elden Parley Thompson. His parents both grew up in rural Idaho and were the grandchildren of Idaho homesteaders. When Parley was born his father Elden was serving in the Navy during WWII, and was deployed to the Pacific during that time. Parley didn’t meet his father until he was 3 years old due to his father’s long deployment.

In 1955 his family moved to Ridgecrest California, where his father worked as a machinist at the Naval Weapons Center. Parley graduated from Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest in 1961.

Parley attended BYU where he received his bachelors in education.

Parley married Earlene (Rosenlof) Thompson on May 27,1972 in the St. George LDS Temple. Together they had 4 children.

Parley and Earlene lived in Ridgecrest CA for a short time when they came back from college.

Parley and Earlene moved to Lone Pine California in about 1980. Parley and Earlene ran a Sears catalog store in Lone Pine California while Parley taught school at the elementary school in Lone Pine. Parley and Earlene adopted 4 children while living in Lone Pine. The family enjoyed their time in the rural area where they took care of a small orchard and some farm animals. It was during this time that Parley received his doctorate in education.

The family moved to the Antelope Valley, where Parley sold real estate and received his Special Education teaching credential. He taught special education for a few years, before becoming an elementary school administrator. He finished his career teaching 3rd grade. Teaching 3rd grade was his favorite grade to teach and he enjoyed teaching before retiring from education in1998.

Parley and Earlene moved to Payson Utah after Earlene retired from teaching school.

Parley’s interests included football games, reading the scriptures, playing with his grandkids, and making jokes.

Parley was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and served in many capacities including Branch President and Temple Worker. Parley especially enjoyed his time working with his wife as Ordinance Workers in the Payson LDS Temple. Parley’s testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ was a prized possession as were his children and grandchildren.  He was faithful to the end.  He left a wonderful legacy of faith and service.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Payson 9th Ward, 1080 South 930 West, Payson UT. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson UT. A visitation will also be held prior to the service from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Santa Clara City Cemetery, 3780 Windmill Drive, Santa Clara, Utah.