LeRoy S. Axland, beloved husband, father, son, and friend, died suddenly at home on Sunday, January 7, 1990, after recent heart surgery.
He was a founder, vice-president and director of the law firm of Suitter Axland Armstrong & Hanson. He was the director of litigation, specializing in trial and appellate litigation. He received his juris doctor degree from the University of Utah, has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 1965, and was admitted to practise before the Courts of Appeal for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits and the United States Supreme Court. He served as president of the Salt Lake County Bar Association, 1980-81. He served as the chairman of numerous State Bar committees.Raised in April 1969 in Progress Lodge No. 22 A.F. & A.M. in Salt Lake City, Utah, he served as Worshipful Master of his lodge in 1975, then as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Utah in 1981. In October 1989, he was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council for Utah. He was a trustee of the Salt Lake Masonic Temple Association, 1974-84, serving as president from 1981-84. Mr. Axland served as trustee and vice-chairman of th Masonic Foundation of Utah from 1982 until his death. Elected president of the 134th Scottish Rite Reunion Class in 1969 when he received the Thirty-second Degree, Mr. Axland was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1977, and was coroneted a Thirty-third Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1983. In addition, he served as the chairman, Sovereign Grand Inspector General's Advisory Conference from 1982 until October 1989.
Holding the Knight York Cross of Honour in the York Rite and as a past Grand Illustrious Master of Grand Council, Cryptic Masons, he has also served as chairman of the Knights Templar Educational Foundation. He was a member of El Kalah Shrine Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., was president of its Foot Patrol in 1976, and was a member of its Past Master's Club.
Other Masonic activities include the following: Conference speaker, 1981, and member of the long-range planning committee, 1981-82 of the Conference of Grand Masters in North America; president, 1980-81 of the Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference; member of Royal Scots of Utah, Royal Order of Scotland, and the Royal Order of Jesters. Also a member of the National Sojourners and recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor (active).
LeRoy S. Axland was born in Medford, Oregon, March 17, 1941, a son of Harold G. and Goldie B. Axland. He attended school in Medford until 1956, then attended Beaverton Union High School, Beaverton, Oregon in 1957. At that time, the family moved to Salt Lake City. He graduated from Olympus High School in 1959, serving as Valedictorian of his class. He received his bachelor of science degree in history, cum laude, in 1962, and his juris doctor degree in 1965, both from the University of Utah. He married Barbara Hildreth on December 28, 1964. She died in 1968. He married Charlotte Marie Gray, August 5, 1972, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He is survived by: His wife, two sons, Joseph Eugene Beers (JEB) and Ian Reamer Axland, one daughter, Alison Marie Axland, all of Salt Lake City; and his mother, Goldie Hauer and stepfather, Ted Hauer, Yuma, Arizona.
He was a member of the Alta Club, Salt Lake Country Club, and the Salt Lake City Rotary Club. He was a member of Wasatch Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School Board of Trustees and the Arthritis Foundation Board of Trustees. He was appointed by Governor Bangerter as a member of the Utah State Corrections Advisory Council and the Governor's 1984 Transition Team, and was a former member of the Children's Aid Association Board of Directors.
Public services will be held Wednesday, January 10, 1990, at 12 noon, in the auditorium of the Masonic Temple, 650 East South Temple. Friends may call one hour prior to the ceremony. The family suggests contributions to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, Intermountain Unit.
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