SWEETEN, GEORGE W. – October 3, 1920 – January 28, 2003
George Wray Sweeten, 82, of Kaysville, Utah died Tuesday, January 28, 2003.
He was born on October 3, 1920 in Holbrook, Idaho, the third of eleven children to Colen H. and Mary Casper Sweeten.
He grew up and worked on the family ranch in Holbrook and graduated from Malad High School in 1938.
He served a mission in southern California and Arizona for The Church of jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints in 1941-1943.
Immediately upon returning home from his mission he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served our country from 1943-1945.
Even though he had fallen in love with flying and would have been a wonderful commercial pilot, he respected the wishes of his family and returned to the ranch.
On September 17, 1947 he married Bessie jean Krage in the Logan Temple. They lived in Malad, Idaho and Holbrook, Idaho for the first 17 years of their married life, while he ranched with his six brothers on the family homestead.
In 1966 they moved to Kaysville, Utah and all of his eight children graduated from Davis High school.
George worked for Utility Trailer and helped establish the Utility Trailer Utah Division. He welded the very first trailer built in Utah. He worked with Ralph Larson and Sons as a long haul driver and is known as “bald eagle” by friends he met all over the western United States. He also worked for Tooele Army “Depot rail shop at Hill Air Force Base.
An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was a high priest and served in many positions throughout his life.
He is a great hunter and only feels “really at home” on the back of a horse. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. His sense of humor has delighted all and his last words were “I’ve come to the end of my rope and tied the knot.”
Survivors include his wife, Jean (Krage) Sweeten of Kaysville, Utah; children: Barbara J. Daniels, Gladys L. Graham Moore, David Brad Moore, Terri L. Shafer, George Sweeten (Annette), Brad R. Sweeten (Michelle), Julie A. Murphy (Craig), John P. Sweeten (Erica), Boyd D. Sweeten (Sue), eight children, 31 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are four brothers, Colen H. Sweeten II, Elbert Sweeten, Ciecel Sweeten, Garth Sweeten, two sisters, Florence (Sweeten) Hubbad and Faye (Sweeten) Cottle.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the Kaysville Gailey Park First Ward, 50 W. 300 S.
Friends and family may call Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. Main and Saturday from 9:45 – 10:45 at the church.
Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded.