Evern Welker Draney

Evern W. Draney
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Our loving husband, father, and grandfather, Evern Welker Draney 88, a man of unwavering faith and valiant patriotism, returned home with honor on, September 11, 2015.

Evern was born in Tygee Valley, Idaho on December 26, 1926. He was the tenth of sixteen children born to Samuel E and Elma Welker Draney. He was raised in Tygee on the large Draney family ranch.
He went to elementary school in a one room log school house, where one teacher taught all 8 grades. (Ranging from 6 to 12 students)

Evern was drafted into the Army during WWII and served as a Military Policeman in Texas and California. When he returned, he completed his high school education at Star Valley High School and there met his sweetheart and Eternal Companion, Cherril Bagley. They were married on April 21, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple and felt privileged to have Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith perform their marriage ceremony.

They lived on the Draney ranch for one year and then moved to Pocatello, Idaho where Evern worked as a Supervisor for the Kraft Foods Co for 3-1/2 years. He was then drafted a second time during the Korean War, and spent most of his two year tour in Korea in the military police.

After completing his tour of duty in Korea, he returned to Ogden where his wife was living with relatives and they have made their home in Ogden since that time.

He worked for the Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in Ogden for 30 years. During his time at the telephone company he was awarded the Governor's Senior Craftsman Award for excellence in his industry. After his retirement, he worked for the Ogden LDS Institute for more than 9 years, where he thoroughly enjoyed being around the college students each day.

Evern was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many church callings. He has served as Bishop, and in several Bishoprics and Stake High Councils, and as a Counselor in the Ogden Utah Stake Presidency. He also held several other callings at the ward level including Sunday School President and High Priest Group Leader. Evern and Cherril enjoyed serving in the Ogden LDS Temple for many years. They also served a church service mission in the Ogden area for nearly two years.

Evern was a great outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish on his land and enjoyed many family outings at their home in Star Valley Wyoming.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Cherril, 2 sons - Mark (Rochelle), Atlanta Georgia and Kirk (Darla), Vernal, 3 daughters - Cindy Draney of Brigham City, Lana Smith (Kirk), Clifton Tennessee and Cathy Christensen (Doug) West Haven. 22 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Dale (Sandra) of Minnesota and one sister, Vada Smith of Afton WY. Preceding him in death were his parents, 13 brothers & sisters and 7 half-brothers & sisters.

Funeral services will be held September 15, at 11am at the Canyon Hollows Ward (67th Ward) 1550 Rushton Ave, Ogden. Viewings will be held Monday September 14 from 6-8pm at Myers Mortuary at 845 Washington Blvd Ogden Utah, and at the Canyons Hollow Ward (67th Ward) from 9:30-10:30 on Tuesday morning September 15. He will be laid to rest in the Fairview Wyoming Cemetery on September 16, 2015.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
September 14, 2015
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
VisitationCanyon Hollows Ward
1550 Rushton Ave
Ogden, UT 84404
September 15, 2015
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
ServiceCanyon Hollows Ward
1550 Rushton Ave
Ogden, UT 84404
September 15, 2015
11:00 AM
CemeteryFairview Wyoming Cemetery

Fairview, WY
September 16, 2015