DeLor Linford Maxfield

DeLor Linford Maxfield, aged 93, passed away in his home in Layton, Utah, on May 16, 2025.

Born September 14, 1931, in Altonah, Utah, to Linford Arthur and Mable Powell Maxfield, DeLor grew up in Altonah with his five siblings. After graduating from Altamont High School in 1950, he joined the Marines where he served from January 1952 to December 1953. He spent time in Korea and Japan before being discharged with the rank of sergeant.

In 1955, DeLor married Barbara Gaye Hullinger in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They raised six children together before her death in 1982. In 1983, DeLor married Wanda Jean Youngblood Maxfield in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and together they enjoyed 41 years of marriage. When Jean became his caretaker as his dementia worsened, DeLor referred to her playfully as, "Wonderful Wanda" or "General Jean."

After his Marine service, DeLor attended the University of Utah. Following graduation, he began his career as a schoolteacher at Manila High School in Manila, Utah. There he taught health, worked as the school's librarian, and was very involved in athletics. He started an after-school baseball program and worked with athletes in all sports. He especially loved coaching the basketball team. Always a hard worker, he was teaching in Manila when the Flaming Gorge Dam was being built and worked on that project in addition to his teaching job.

In 1964, DeLor and Barbara moved to Bountiful, Utah, where they would live for many years. DeLor taught in Davis County School District at Vae View Elementary and Bountiful Elementary. He ended his career as a sixth-grade teacher at Orchard Elementary, where his students included his future step-daughter Brenda and eventually several of his grandchildren. He continued his involvement with athletics and ran an after-school sports program for many years. He prided himself on always teaching his students how to square dance. DeLor retired from teaching in 1993 and was always happy to catch up with his students when he saw them in the community.

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, DeLor served in many capacities. DeLor was the Scoutmaster for many years and took his scouts on countless camping trips. Another highlight was a mission with Jean to the Toronto, Canada temple from 1995-1996 where they were also able to travel to many historic sites including Prince Edward Island, a place important to his family history. Upon their return home, Jean and DeLor served as ordinance workers in the Bountiful temple. In his later years, he loved serving as the branch president at Bountiful House (now Legacy House Assisted Living)

DeLor enjoyed woodworking and was a prolific gardener, growing tomatoes, beans, squash, and even grapes, which he used to make delicious grape juice that he served mixed with Sprite to create what he called "Sunday Delight." He loved sports and played basketball into his 70s. In his 80s, DeLor and Jean enjoyed riding bicycles together on the Legacy Trail. Although he graduated from the University of Utah, his heart was at BYU and he loved watching BYU football games. Jean and DeLor also shared a love of watching the Jazz on TV. DeLor never met a stranger and could talk to new acquaintances for hours. He spent many happy times camping with family at Moon Lake in Duchesne, Utah, and started a tradition that continues to this day of "multi-generational Maxfield male bonding" backpacking trips with his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons. He also organized a Maxfield family reunion for many years.

DeLor is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Lynn (Laura) Maxfield, Bob (Stacey) Maxfield, D'Ann (Gary) Figgins, David (Hiroko Hashitani) Maxfield, Marilyn (Todd) Floyd, and Steven (Michelle) Maxfield; step-children Brenda (Jeff) Jolley, Lori (Ed) Olson, and Ray Marshall; brother Norman (Sherline) Maxfield; 26 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, parents Linford and Mable; sisters Nada, Donna, Ola, and Coralie; and daughter-in-law Kaye.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Bountiful 9th Ward chapel, 585 East Center Street, Bountiful. Friends may visit with family on Thursday, May 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 N Main Street, Bountiful, and Friday, May 23, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Bountiful Cemetery, 2224 S 200 W, Bountiful.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Gubler at the George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center as well as Rocky Mountain Hospice for their compassionate and dedicated service, in particular Jenn, Julie, Brandon, RaeLynn, Amanda, Todd, and Kennedi.