Photo gallery: A Utah celebration for centenarians
Gov. Cox, Lt. Gov. Henderson pay tribute to state’s oldest and wisest residents
Mabel Okubo kisses Gov. Spencer Cox on the cheek at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Gov. Spencer. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson spent much of Thursday’s lunch hour visiting with some of the wisest residents of Utah.
And certainly, some of the oldest.
The Beehive State’s annual centenarian celebration is held each year to honor Utahns who have reached their 100th birthday and beyond. This joint collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and governor’s office is a chance to honor those Utahns who have lived through major historic events, including a pandemic, the Great Depression, and World War II.
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Deseret News photojournalist Kristin Murphy spent time with Cox, Henderson and the guests of honor and their families and shared these images.
Gov. Spencer Cox talks with Ruth Dragg, 101, at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Frances Gooley, 102, laughs with Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Amos Wright, 102, stands up to shake Gov. Spencer Cox’s hand as he and his wife, Gloria Wright, 100, attend the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Gov. Spencer Cox talks with Lela Christensen, 102, at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Nels Holmgren, Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services director, speaks at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson talks with Cecilia Manning at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Ida Hoggan, 107, holds her name tag at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Grace Tucker, 101, talks with Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Amos Wright, 102, and his wife, Gloria Wright, 100, attend the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. They will celebrate their 81st wedding anniversary in October. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Gov. Spencer Cox talks with J. Clyde Crane, 100, at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Birdene Neuteboom, 103, kisses Gov. Spencer Cox’s head at the 38th annual Centenarian Celebration at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Cox then kissed Neuteboom’s head. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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