LaVar Frank Sainsbury Obituary (1927 - 2007)

LaVar Frank Sainsbury, our beloved husband, father, “Bompa”, uncle, brother and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Tuesday, January 9, 2007 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born November 24, 1927 in Magna, Utah to Elmer Brice Sainsbury and Mearl Tamar Reading. After the death of his mother, he was raised by his grandmother, Tamar Diana Reading. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1945. After graduation he joined the Navy and served in World War II from 1945-1947. While in the service he participated in the Bikini Atoll Atomic bomb test. He married his sweetheart, Donna Rae Gardner, on January 15, 1948 in Crescent, Utah later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 19, 1963. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served many leadership positions including Elders Quorum President, Bishop, Stake High Council, Stake Farm Director and, with his sweetheart, served a stake mission. He retired from Granite Furniture in 1989 after 44 years of employment. He and Donna spent some retirement years as snowbirds in Arizona and St George with good friends and camping with their Good Sam Club. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Donna Rae, children Pam (Lyle) Ruoti, Merle (Loren) Marshall, Gregg (Joanne) Sainsbury, brother Ferris Sainsbury, grandchildren Terra (Clint) Luft, Denice Ruoti, Brett (Amber) Ruoti, Shaun (Seasen) Ruoti, Angela (Jim) Richardson, Elliott Marshall, Garrett (Wendy) Marshall, Katie Marshall, Amy (JD) Hunt, Jon (Amy) Sainsbury, Ben (Andria) Sainsbury, Jed Sainsbury, and 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lamar, Cleo, Donald and Jerald. There will be a viewing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday evening, January 12, 2007 at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary 4760 S State St, Murray UT. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Murray 10th Ward 5750 S Nena Way, Murray, Utah, where friends may call 1 hour prior. Interment in Murray City Cemetery.