Joseph Howard Florence Obituary (1932 - 2017)

Click here to listen to the funeral recording. Joseph Howard Florence,85, died peacefully at his home in Ogden, Utah on Saturday, August 12, 2017. He was born on January 16,1932 to Leland H Florence and Goldie Brian Florence at their home in Ogden, Utah, the third of four boys born into the family. He attended Ogden City schools and graduated from Ogden High School, where he met and married his eternal sweetheart, Lurlien Lelea Morris on April 18,1952 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. She was the only girl he had ever dated. They became the proud parents of four children Nanette (Larry) Nelson, Brad (Mellyn) Florence, Julie (Steve) Brown and Mike (Rachel) Florence. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing softball, skiing, hunting, fishing, traveling, attending sporting events and dinner nights with the "Fearsome Four" and their wives, Dick and Gloria Myers, Roy and Marilyn Nelson, and Nate and Phyllis Tanner. They have remained close friends throughout their lives. Joe, at the young age of 46, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. His crippled feet and bent fingers were never an excuse or a deterrent. He fought the disease valiantly and with dignity until he passed. His life was filled with education, work, community and church service. While supporting their young family, Joe attended night classes for 10 plus years at Weber State College where he graduated with his Bachelor's degree in 1966. He had a wealth of experience in many different fields as he worked at Utah Concrete Pipe as a salesman, Thiokol as an administrative assistant, Merrill Lynch as a stock broker, and finally as a commercial real estate broker with several different firms including his own firm, Arvesco. During his time as a broker he earned his CCIM, which is the highest certification awarded by the National Association of Realtors. He served as the Utah Chapter President of the NAR, and as the Chair of the State Legislative Committee. Locally, he served as Chairman of the Weber State College Development Fund, which raised the money to build the Dee Events Center, President of the Weber State College Alumni Association, and a South Ogden City Councilman. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had the opportunity to serve in many different capacities. He served as Bishop of the Ogden 60th Ward and also served as Bishop of the married student ward at Weber State University, he loved serving with these young adults. Joe and Lurlien were blessed with the opportunity to serve a mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, and when they returned home they served as Guest Service Supervisors at the Tabernacle and in the new Conference Center on Temple Square for 15 years. After Lurlien's death, he immersed himself in work and family activities, until he courted and married Norma Pat Harris on September 3, 2005. She became only the second woman he had ever dated. Pat brought to the marriage five of her own children, Pamela, Curtis, Janica, Bart and Patricia. He and Pat lived life to its fullest. They traveled much of the country and the world, they enjoyed attending the symphony, musicals, plays, and their grandchildren's sporting events. Joe is survived by his wife Pat, his 4 children and their spouses, 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and his brothers Stan and Brian. He is preceded in death by his wife Lurlien, his grandson Courtney, and his brother Lee. The family would like to thank the care givers from Wasatch Home Health Care, Encompass Hospice, and Eduardo A. Haro for providing such wonderful care for Joe. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 17th at the Burch Creek 5th Ward, 4955 Adams Avenue in South Ogden. The family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:45am at the same location. In lieu of flowers, Joe wanted to have money donated to the Joseph H. Florence Memorial Scholarship Fund at America First Credit Union. VisitationBurch Creek 5th Ward 4955 Adams Avenue Ogden, UT 84405 August 17, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM ServiceBurch Creek 5th Ward 4955 Adams Avenue Ogden, UT 84405 August 17, 2017 12:30 PM BurialMemorial Gardens of the Wasatch 1718 Combe Rd Ogden, UT 84403 August 17, 2017