Dean Farley Luddington

Dean Farley Luddington peacefully passed away from the effects of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, surrounded by his family, on Friday, March 4, 2022. Ninety-two years ago on Christmas day, 1929, as the dog was barking, Grandma Elfrida delivered Dean to the world and presented him to his parents, Bertha Farley and Charles Fuller Luddington. Bertha said that it was the only year the Christmas presents were mixed up. Dean was the youngest of four other children: Harold, Lloyd, Jack, and Shirley.

In his youth, Dean loved baseball, football, basketball, and was a yell-leader at Ogden High School. He graduated from Weber College before leaving by train, then sailing the ocean to London, England, to serve an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After returning from his mission, he continued his education at the University of Utah. He soon met Valerie Kay Egbert, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 8, 1953. Together they welcomed their precious daughter, Diane. With his thirst for further education, and with his beloved wife by his side, he took his young family to the University of Washington to pursue a career in dentistry. It was during that time that his angelic companion, Valerie, passed away from an unexpected illness. His life was blessed again when he was reintroduced to Mary Carol Smith by a mutual friend. He had caught her eye years earlier on a boat dock in New York when Dean and her brother returned from the same mission. Later they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 24th, 1956, and together they had five wonderful children: Richard, Marvin, John, Sharon, and Stephen. He graduated from dental school with honors and also earned an advanced degree in orthodontics at Tufts University in Boston after serving as a dentist in the United States Air Force for two years in California.

Dean had a life-long zest for flying. There was a strong tradition of military service in the Luddington family. His older brothers, Lloyd and Jack, were killed in action, giving the ultimate sacrifice in WWII as fighter pilots in the United States Air Force. Devastated by this loss and driven by his admiration and love for his brothers, Dean passionately pursued becoming a pilot himself. Though he was too young to enlist in the military, his oldest brother Harold, also a pilot, taught him to fly at age 15, earning his pilot’s license before he could even drive.

Work, education, and frugality were Dean’s trademarks. He could always be found building something new or restoring something old. If you were near their property in Midway, you could often hear the pounding of a hammer as Dean and Mary Carol completely remodeled their cabin, inside and out. He preferred to live a simple life of modesty, sharing his resources anonymously, and generously blessing the lives of others who were in need.

He had a love for music which was enhanced as his dear sister, Shirley, paid for his piano lessons by babysitting. He could hear a song and would soon be playing it on the piano. He enjoyed singing and, as a young boy, won $5 singing “God Bless America” in a contest at the Paramount Theater.  As a member of a traveling musical group in college, his beautiful tenor voice was a treat to those who heard him. He was also a gifted composer, enjoyed symphonies, operas, and listening to classical music in the evening.

As a consecrated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he fulfilled various callings, including Bishop of the Bountiful 17th ward. Dean was also able to serve with Mary Carol two additional full-time missions (England, London South, and Family History Center, SLC) and as ordinance workers in the Bountiful Temple.

Of all his many interests, his greatest love was his family. His early life was spent with his parents and siblings in the mountains hunting, fishing, shooting, hiking, and skiing. Looking for adventure, he even hiked Malan’s Peak with his skis on his back. He continued those traditions of gathering and uniting his own children: Diane (Steven) Peterson, Richard (Barbara) Luddington, Marvin Luddington, John (Andrea) Luddington, Sharon (Craig) Kofford, and Stephen (Kimberly) Luddington and his 28 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren, and counting. He taught them faith in God, integrity, love of country, loyalty to each other, the value of hard work, as well as gratitude and respect for the outdoors. He blessed their lives in so many ways and was a pillar of strength, courage, and determination.

In the twilight of his life, his cherished sweetheart of 62 years, Mary Carol, passed away. A short time later, it was a gift to unite with Marilyn Jones McPhie, a special friend from his youth. With tender feelings for each other, Dean and Marilyn were married in 2019 on Valentine’s Day. For the last three years they have shared their lives together traveling, reading, spending time with family, and reminiscing. Marilyn, an accomplished artist, even taught Dean to paint at the age of 91! They enjoyed their moments together and Marilyn brought out a side of Dean that was youthful and fun. He was loved and treasured by family and friends, and though he will be missed immensely, there is peace and comfort in knowing that he is happy and has been reunited with his loved ones on the other side.

A viewing will be held Friday evening, March 11, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful 21st Ward, located at 115 Wicker Lane, with a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.  Interment: Ogden City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. Streaming will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services.

Services may also be viewed by the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98318905127?pwd=YytkTzFzTWhyR1cwUEw1b3phOXV3QT09