Gayle Stevenson

Obituary |

1929 ~ 2014
Gayle A Stevenson beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on Sunday January 26, 2014 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.bGayle was born on August 31, 1929 to John and Viola Stevenson. He grew up in Layton and graduated from Davis High School where he was Jr. Class President and State Golden Gloves Boxing Champion. He married his High School sweetheart LaVora Beverly Wood on January 17, 1950 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and they had six children together. Beverly passed away in 1997 from a brain tumor. Gayle subsequently married his beloved Nancy Burningham on January 18, 2001. Gayle's life was spent in education and service. He had an unwavering testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many positions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Young Men President, Bishop and Stake President. His favorite calling was that of Gospel Doctrine teacher.
He received a bachelor's degree from Weber State and a Master's degree from the University of Utah. He served his country as a corpsman in the US Navy on the front lines during the Korean Conflict. He taught at Davis High School, was Vice Principal at Viewmont High, Principal of Clearfield High and then served as Associate Superintendent of the Davis School District. He served 12 1/2 years as Davis County Commissioner as well as many other positions within the county and the state. His greatest loves were his God and Savior, his family and his country.
Gayle was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Beverly, a daughter was stillborn, older brother Carl, a younger sister Diane Russell. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Juell Garlick (Shane), son Randy Stevenson (Sylvia), daughter Alecia Osburn (Randy), son Daren Stevenson (Debbie), son Mont Stevenson (Teresa), sister Connie Lewis (Richard), 25 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.
His children and grandchildren will always remember him as "Grandpa Garden". He loved to work the soil and tend to things that grow, produce as well as people. Most of the produce from his garden was put out on the curb for others to take as they needed. Gayle was a dynamic speaker and also enjoyed entertaining with a magic trick, a song on the harmonica or a humorous story. Gayle's life was exemplary in every aspect. He was a light to those in darkness, an example of a good life lived to all who knew him. The legacy he left will survive his passing for generations to come. He will be greatly missed but he will live on through the great influence he has had on many, many people.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Layton Legacy Stake Center, 752 N. 3700 W., Layton. Friends may visit family Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist's Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the Perpetual Education Fund to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com