Rulon Winton Waite 1920 ~ 2006 "TOGETHER AGAIN" Rulon Winton Waite, a boy from Smithfield, grew from his humble upbringing in the north country of Utah to fill a life that took him around the world in the service of his country and his faith, and brought him a family who loves him deeply. On Saturday, July 29, 2006, Rulon slipped into the next life, leaving us with sweet memories, and an assurance that he is reunited with his dear wife Oralie who preceded him on January 19, 2002. He was 85. Rulon was born to George Irving Waite and Bertha Irene Topping-Nelson on October 9, 1920. He and his brothers, Kay and Willis, were raised in Hyde Park and Smithfield, Utah. Rulon and Oralie were sealed in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 12, 1941 and spent 62 years together teaching and loving their children and grandchildren. Rulon attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan and was proud of his membership in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He later graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Industrial Psychology in 1953. He was a "Utah Man" who always believed in the virtues of his Utes. Rulon and Oralie spent 22 years of devoted service as members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They traveled the world together using their talents to lift others with song. Rulon also sang with the Utah Symphony Chorus, the Jay Welch Chorale, and the Men of Song. He served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II and spent much of his professional life in the service of the U.S. Air Force in the United States and Canada. Rulon loved sports, especially the game of baseball and passed that love to his sons and grandsons. Many summers during the latter half of his life were spent in front of the TV watching Harry Carey do the play-by-play for his beloved Chicago Cubs while talking sports with a grandson or a son. He would unravel story after story regarding games he had attended and other experiences he had with the game he loved. Always watching for ways to help his wife and children, Rulon built many houses, three of which were on the same block to please his wife (including a really, really pink house!), and spent what seemed to be half his life working on home improvement for his four sons and two daughters. These projects were more than favors for his family - they were an outward expression of Rulon's love and dedication to the happiness of his wife and children. Whether it was finding an old clunker car for someone in the family that he thought "was just like new" or building playhouses for his granddaughters, Rulon took pride and found peace in doing things for those he loved. Our dad and grandpa will be missed very much, but we know Oralie has missed him as well and we are so glad that they can be together again. He is survived by his two brothers, Kay (Connie), Willis (Beverly), his six children, Rulon Jan (Karen), Richard (Lou Anna), Robert, Rula (Robert) Hunter, Marilee Packer, and Robert (Patricia), his 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held August 3, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Crestwood LDS Meetinghouse, 1039 East Crestwood Road, Kaysville. Friends and family may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Thursday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery next to Oralie. Our family is very appreciative for the service and support the members of the Kaysville 10th Ward gave to dad and mother during these last few years and are grateful for the assistance of the staff at Rocky Mountain Care and Life Path Hospice. In lieu of flowers contributions to United Way of Northern Utah are suggested in Rulon Waite's name. e-mail condolences to the family at llm@lindquistmortuary.com
Next Up In
Utah