Obituary: BRINKERHOFF, RULON

Rulon L. Brinkerhoff1926 ~ 2011LAYTONRulon Brinkerhoff passed away from Alzheimer's disease on December 22, 2011 in Bountiful, Utah, surrounded by family. He was born October 5, 1926 in Emery, Utah to Lloyd and Zella Maxfield Brinkerhoff. He lived in Emery until 1936 when his family moved to Milford. After two years and the tragic death of little sister Mae, the family moved to the Orem/Provo area. Rulon attended Lincoln High School (Orem) and began working in the local meat market where he learned the art of a butcher. Two months before graduation he enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. His service took him throughout the south Pacific and Pacific Rim where he made stops in New Caledonia, Perth, Luzon, Philippines, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and Calcutta. In 1946 he mustered out in Treasure Island and hitchhiked home from San Francisco to Provo. He resumed his career as a meat cutter and paid close attention to the clientele. In February of 1947, just two weeks after a date with one of his customers, he proposed to Ilean Coleman from Cardston, Alberta, who was a student at Brigham Young University. They were married in the Cardston Temple on June 24, 1947 and honeymooned in Waterton Lakes Park. Rulon was a meat cutter and market manager for Safeway until his hip, damaged from mild polio and a two-deck fall in the Navy, became too painful to continue the intense physical strains of the job. He became a successful salesman for Cudahy and in 1960 after two years was promoted to sales manager and transferred to the San Francisco Bay area. Rulon was athletic and a talented softball pitcher. His hip pain, however, would eventually cut short his success. In 1963, the day before he was to pitch for the San Francisco all-league championship, he underwent the first of eleven joint replacement surgeries and his painful hip was fused. After recovery from the surgery, in 1964 he moved back to Layton and bought his own business. During his almost 48 years in Layton, he befriended scores of people and served his friends, neighbors and strangers, often arising in the dark hours of the morning to shovel snow from the driveways and walks of Owens Street. Rulon served as the Bishop of the Layton 11th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for six years. His extraordinary devotion and effort in his service and love left him with lasting friendships. He continued that dedication by proselytizing with Ilean in the Texas Dallas Mission. He cared for Ilean during her challenges with dementia and lost her in 2003. After her passing, he married Beverley Walker Fryer Rasmussen in 2005. Rulon is survived by his wife Beverley; son Bruce and wife Ruth; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren: Ryan (Britany) with Emma, Samuel, Martin and Isaac; Davis; Lisa (Michael) Curtis with Breckyn and Trent; Amy; and Brittany (Carl) Wagner with Charlotte, Elliott, and Sparrow. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers Vernon, Teddy, Jesse, and Cal; and sisters Lenna and Mae. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Layton Central Ward, 60 West Gordon Ave, Layton, UT. Friends may visit family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road. Interment, Lindquist's Memorial Park at Layton. Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com