Hubert (Hub) Fox

Hubert (Hub) William Fox passed away on May 10, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 76. 

Hub was born July 21, 1947, to Maymie and Myron Fox in Coos Bay, Oregon. He is preceded in death by his parents as well his sisters, Elsie Updegrove, Rayna Smiley, Lira Owen, Myronelle Fox, and his brother, Leroy Fox. 

Hub grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. His father was a Chief Engineer in the U.S. Coast Guard. When his father retired in 1958, the family moved to Granger, Utah. Hub attended Valley Junior High and Granger High School; he was on the swim team and graduated in the class of 1965. He worked on a commercial fishing boat off the Oregon & California coast for a few summers in high school. 

In January 1966 he enlisted in the Navy as a Seabee. He went to boot camp in San Diego and attended Builder A school at Port Hueneme. SERE training took place at Whidbey Island, Washington prior to departure for Danang, Vietnam. On arrival in Vietnam, the Chief of Personnel at Camp Tien Sha assigned Hub to Special Services to build a hobby shop at the station hospital in Danang and a house on their charter fishing boat. He worked at the gymnasium in China Beach and then a recreation pavilion on the highest sand dune in China Beach. He was then assigned to the Naval Air Station in Rota, Spain in September of 1967. 

After his active service was complete in September 1969 he returned home to Utah. He met Ellen Wright at Snow College on a blind date for the Homecoming Dance. They were engaged by the fall of 1970 and married on April 16, 1971. They purchased a home in Bennion, UT (now Taylorsville) in 1973, where they raised their two daughters, Theresa and Tiffany, and have lived the rest of their lives. Hub was known to his friends as “Oobie,” and he and Ellen had a close circle of friends who played cards and went camping, hunting, and vacationing together, in addition to an annual holiday dinner and family progressive dinner.  

Hub spent his adult years working in the transportation industry, first at Wykoff as a dispatcher, then at Wall Street Transportation for nearly 25 years, first as a driver and later as the operations manager. In his retirement, he also drove for Willow Transportation. Hub’s call sign was “Desert Fox,” and he loved driving, whether it was a short delivery across town or a long haul across many states. 

His family and friends remember him as a caring dad, grandfather, uncle, and a kind and generous friend. Hub loved adventures in the outdoors, particularly going on road trips and going camping in his RV. He also enjoyed playing cards, fishing, golfing, reading science fiction novels, and traveling to the Oregon Coast, especially for Fox Family reunions. Hub had a special place in his heart for his grandsons, Max and Jack, whether he was watching them play baseball or basketball, or taking them on adventures like ATVing, fishing, golfing, and snowmobiling. A few special moments in his life included his stint as a volunteer shuttle driver for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, as well as his participation in May 2023, in an “Honor Flight” for veterans to Washington, DC with his daughter, Tiffany, and his best friend, Jeff and Jeff’s son Andy. 

He will be remembered for his fun stories around the campfire, whiskey sour in hand, as he talked about his “nine lives”; his love for peanut butter & crackers and his willingness to help anyone who needed it. Nearly everyone who knows him has had his help at some point with a move, or a repair on the side of the road, or help with whatever needed doing. The humble, hardworking Seabee motto of “Can Do” was a perfect description for how Hub lived his life. 

Hub is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ellen (Wright) Fox, his daughters, Theresa Fox and Tiffany Fox, son-in-law David Brubacher, grandsons Max and Jack Brubacher and pups Murphy, Pippa & Baylee.

A celebration to honor Hub’s life will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 E. Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 3:00 until 5:00 PM.  Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance provided on the north side of the building.

Betty Branch

On April 15, 2024, our mom Betty Jane Branch Taylor passed away after a long health struggle. Her story begins on July 16, 1947, in Farmington, New Mexico where she was born to Alberta and Cornelius Branch, she grew up with two sisters (Jeri and Margie) and three brothers (Richard, Doyle, and Ross). Spending time with her siblings was always a priority for her.

Betty graduated from Granger High School in 1965- where she made cherished lifelong friendships. Later, on July 31, 1969, she married E. Allen Taylor, and together they had four children (Troy, Jill, Emily, and Shaun). Raising their children, and attending sporting events, recitals, and other various activities filled their days and brought them lots of joy and pride. Growing up, Betty’s children always counted on her being at any activity and cheering them on, she truly was their greatest cheerleader, and she continued that legacy with her 13 grandkids. Betty loved her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids and they meant everything to her. She loved showering them with hugs, kisses and treats. Betty loved music and dancing, she also loved a good laugh with family and friends. She always went above and beyond making family/friends parties fun and meaningful, she will always be remembered for initiating the annual family water fights and organizing Taylor backyard baseball games at summer BBQs.

Betty had a unique gift for staying close to friends and family members though out her life, which is evident by how many extended family members she stayed in contact with and how many lifelong friends she had.  She also had the gift to unselfishly serve and care for others, during times of distress and illness, with love and compassion. She will be truly missed by those that loved and knew her.

Betty is survived by her children Troy (Nikki) Taylor, Jill (Matt) Johnson, Emily (Dave) Barney, Shaun (Shelly) Taylor, 13 grandkids and five great-grandkids, her sister Margie, brother Doyle and nieces, nephews, and cousins that she dearly loved.

Our family would like to recognize and extend our gratitude to the loving staff at Carrington Court in South Jordan, the many Canyon Home and Hospice CNAs, RNs, Social Workers, Chaplin and others that cared for our mom during these last 3.5 years since her stroke. Also, the LDS Branch presidency and relief society sisters that visited and showered her with support and love.

The family is holding a memorial service for Betty on Monday, April 22nd at 4:30 PM. Prior to memorial services a visitation with family with be held from 2-4:30 PM at the LDS Chapel located at 2550 W. 9800 S. South Jordan, Utah.

Gary Willden

Gary Delbert Willden, born in Delta, Utah on December 17, 1946, to Delbert and LaRue Willden, passed away February 14, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of love for the outdoors, a commitment to education, a profound impact on the lives of those he touched, and an impressive collection of outrageously loud neckties.

As a kid, Gary sported a 1950s crew cut and horn-rimmed glasses like he was born to it. His expressive bass voice made him a natural as the lead (Finian) in his Granger High School musical production of "Finian’s Rainbow". His love of vocal performance resulted in his meeting a certain Joan Lambert, as they performed in a stake musical together. He went on to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central German mission, after which he joined Joan at BYU where they were on the ballroom dance team, and soon married. It was only Joan’s graduation that ended a run that would have culminated in their being the lead couple competing at Blackpool. Gary proudly served his country by joining the US Army National Guard (‘64-’72), eventually becoming a Special Forces Green Beret. He attended Jump School where, despite having walking pneumonia, he refused to wash out and became certified Airborne (how he loved jumping out of planes!). He served for a time in Panama, where he honed his skills and developed a love of adventure. 

His passion for the outdoors led him to a fulfilling career as an outdoor recreation professor at Weber State University, where he shared his expertise for 35 years. Gary taught a wide range of courses, including rock climbing, canyoneering, caving, backpacking, hiking, camping, skiing, and first aid. He resurrected the historic “Flaming W Hike” and went on to serve as Chair of the Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance department (‘85-’90). He was a key voice in the Swenson Gym expansion, including seeking funding for the “Weber Rocks” climbing wall that students continue to ascend today. One student’s comment about his professorship: “I think he would be a really cool Grandpa.” We agree, anonymous student, except we’d add “awesome, funny, hard-working, mischievous, and delightful.” 

Gary's influence extended beyond the classroom, as he devoted many years to the Boy Scouts of America. He inspired countless youth to embrace the wonders of nature, led untold numbers of hikes, ate an unfortunate number of MREs, slept in an inhuman number of snow trenches, and belayed thousands of “Bernina-knee,” quivering Tenderfoot Scouts as they climbed and rappelled. His generosity with the program knew no bounds, and he was thoughtfully recognized with the prestigious Silver Beaver award. That was a particular joy to him because he hadn’t grown up in a strong Scout troop, and so never earned the Eagle Scout rank, an accomplishment he (in tandem with the ever-persuasive Joan) helped all six of his sons attain.

Like many multi-talented people, Gary found an outlet in two fascinating side-hustles. He entertained many children as “Lupo T. Clown”, donning a costume and voice that kept kids giggling as he delivered magic tricks, balloon animals, and groan-worthy puns. As “Dr. Fun,” as he was affectionately known, he traveled the country teaching team-building activities to youth groups, schools, and corporations. He was at the forefront of a movement to bring play back into people’s lives. He was truly a lifelong advocate for embracing the “ludicrous”, in the original sense of the word: relating to play and laughter. He found endless ways to bring play home with him, from leading epic “Boffer” (foam swords) wars around the home, to throwing an apparent granite boulder at his teenage son (it was a realistically painted foam block, but it still scared him witless), to ignoring Joan’s warning and licking his ice cream bowl clean (we had no idea either of them could run that fast as she chased him out the back door for doing so, him giggling like a kid the entire time). 

Indeed, he was a loving father of seven children (six sons & one daughter), and a playful grandfather to 15. He shared his zest for life with his family by taking them on scores of memorable adventures, including snow skiing, rock climbing, camping, snorkeling, scuba diving and more. He led his family in building a cabin in Utah’s gorgeous Ogden Canyon, a place that is forever redolent with memories and mishaps. 

Like many of his generation he absorbed car culture and loved all travel, and particularly a good road trip. He (in)famously took his new bride on their first trip by unwisely driving their aging Corvair along a precipitous mountain “road” that today would probably be advisable only with a UTV. His love for the outdoors and his fearless embrace of adventure will endure through generations.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Joan, their seven children and their spouses: Jeff (Carolina), Jeremy (LeRita), Greg (Katie), Matt (Shannon), Mike (Erica), Steve (Whitney), Kelsey (Taylor). His richly blessed 15 grandchildren will fondly remember his warmth and humor. And he will miss his four brothers (Phil, Bruce, Randy, Layne). Gary’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him. Pop, save us a space in that great campsite in the sky, and please tell us it won’t be in a snow trench. 

Public Viewing: 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Monday, February 19, 2024 - Russon Mortuary at 295 N. Main in Bountiful, Utah, 

Public Viewing: 9:45 - 10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – Brookhurst Ward at 1298 N. 400 W. in Centerville, Utah, Funeral: 11:00 AM.

Graveside Services at Centerville City Cemetery

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

https://www.russonmortuary.com/obituaries/gary-willden

In lieu of flowers, go out and make a memory, having an adventure with a loved one.