Earl Spencer Duerden

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather took his last breaths and joined his Savior on the morning of April 12, 2018. He passed away peacefully as he was rising to face another day.

Earl was born in Reno, Nevada on October 31, Halloween, in 1924 to Spencer Duerden and Thelma Hill Duerden. He always thought of himself as being a little spooky. He grew up in California and Idaho with his two brothers, Wayne and George, and his sister Mary. All preceded him in death.

In 1943, Earl joined the Navy, as a Naval Aviator, to serve his country in World War II. He was a navigator and spent most of his tour flying patrol missions in the South Pacific and along the coast of China. He said that on one day, he flew over the equator three different times. In 1945, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross air medal and was honorably discharged from the military that same year. 

After he left military service, Earl spent his time in the service of his church by going on an LDS mission. He went out without purse or script and served in the Southern States, which at the time included Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

On September 22, 1950, Earl married his sweet heart, Dorene Lamb Duerden in the Logan, Utah Temple. They have three wonderful sons, Paul (Paula), Bruce (Marlyene), and Darren (Jennifer). His three boys spent countless hours with their father in youth sports, camping, and working in the home.  They gave him the joy of nine grandchildren, Pepper, Danny, Tiffany (Brian), Crystal, Brandi (Beau), Eric, Mark, Callie, and Bret, as well as five great-grandchildren, Jayden, Brennan, Kinsey, Jessica, and Elsie.

A large part of raising three sons, Earl was heavy into the Scouting program his entire life.  During his son’s younger years, he served in almost every position in the local council, attending Woodbadge and was ultimately awarded the Silver Beaver. He also spent many hours in church callings and community service.

Prior to entering the work force, Earl received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brigham Young University. After graduation, he spent the majority of his working life as a designer and draftsman for Hercules Powder Co., designing parts for early space rocket programs.  He did this many years prior to the aid of computers. It was fun for his boys to say that their dad was a rocket scientist. As his life passed the working stage, he loved spending his time painting, teaching painting, woodworking, and traveling.  

Earl was loved by all he came in contact with! He will be missed!

A viewing will be held at the Holbrook Mortuary, located at 3251 South 2300 East on Friday, April 20 from 6 to 8 pm.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the Fortuna Ward LDS Church, located at 4407 South Fortuna Way (3695 East), Salt Lake City. There will also be a short viewing prior to the funeral from 11:30 to 12:30 pm. Interment will follow at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.  

Funeral service audio. Available until July 23, 2018.