Lawrence "Larry" Wayne Todd Obituary (1926 - 2013)

Lawrence Wayne Todd click here to listen to Funeral Recording Lawrence Wayne Todd, 87, an athlete, merchant marine, fire fighter, and home builder, but above all a kind, non-judgmental, and loving father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013, at his home in Ogden, Utah. He was born in Ogden on January 3, 1926, to Thomas W. Todd and Ruth Anderson Wall Todd. As a young boy he developed exceptionally strong legs riding his bicycle all over Ogden. He loved football and baseball, and was a local Golden Gloves boxing champion. When the toughest kid on his Washington Junior High football team - a boy a year older than Wayne - challenged him to box in a local smoker, Wayne knocked him out (but the two boys became good friends). In 10th grade Wayne was the Washington Junior High Student Body President. In 11th grade he became a star on the Ogden High football team while holding down a job as a truck driver for a construction company. While still 17 he tried to enlist to fight in World War II. When they wouldn't let him, he dropped out of high school and took a train to San Francisco where he enlisted in the Merchant Marines (still only 17). He sailed to Australia and throughout Asia, including tours on armed troop ships. He nearly died of appendicitis on a ship returning to San Francisco. After the war he returned to Ogden where he married the love of his life, Ruth Page, in the Salt Lake Temple May 14, 1947. After their marriage he joined the Ogden City Fire Department, where he worked most of his adult life, rising to the rank of Battalion Chief. Over the years, he and his wife, acting as their own general contractors and doing much of the actual work themselves, designed and built five houses in Ogden, and moved a 6th house across town to Old Post Road where they successfully set it on a cement foundation he had measured, dug, and poured himself. He worked hard his whole life. He continued to love spectator sports throughout his life, especially football, basketball, baseball, and boxing. His favorite sport, both as spectator and player, was golf. He didn't take up the game until he was in his 30's, but he became a talented player who loved the game and knew its history well. He won numerous local tournaments, and sometimes played friendly rounds with players who would go on to compete successfully on the PGA Tour. His home course for many years was the Hubbard Memorial Golf Course at Hill Air Force Base where he had a locker in the clubhouse and was well-known and liked by all the players and staff. Over his lifetime on the course he made holes-in-one on the 3rd, 6th, and 12th holes, eagles on all the par 5 holes and on two of the par 4 holes (8 and 18), and birdies on all 18 holes, giving him a lifetime best 18 hole score of 45. He seldom had scores above the 70s and shot many sub-par rounds. Throughout his life he was a faithful and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served as ward clerk and in various leadership roles. He had a good sense of humor and knew how to tell a good story, but was even better at listening to and enjoying the stories of others. He was a solid rock of support for his family and friends, always there to listen, and willing to share his wisdom whenever his advice was sought. He was always willing to do what he could to help whenever help was needed. He selflessly, lovingly, and courageously cared for his wife in their home throughout her entire ten-year fight against Alzheimer's disease. They were married for 64 years before her passing. He loved her with all his heart, and at the end of his own life he was looking forward to seeing her again. He is dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Wayne is survived by his three children: Brent (Susan) Todd, Lauren (Melvin) Thompson, and Michael (Alyce) Todd. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Zina Ruth Page Todd, his parents, Thomas W. and Ruth Todd and his sister, Norma Bingham Thompson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the South Ogden 7th Ward Chapel, 720 Nancy Drive, South Ogden. Friends may call at the Chapel from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Myers Ogden Mortuary. VisitationSouth Ogden 7th Ward 720 Nancy Drive South Ogden, UT December 14, 2013 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM ServiceSouth Ogden 7th Ward 720 Nancy Drive South Ogden, UT December 14, 2013 11:00 AM CemeteryOgden City Cemetery 20th and Madison Ogden, UT 84404 December 14, 2013