DeVel Kidgell Gedge

DeVel Gedge, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Holladay surrounded by family. Born the oldest child of Willam Gedge and Melba Kidgell Gedge in Salt Lake City Utah, DeVel enjoyed a childhood full of joyous times with his cousins growing up in Chesterfield Utah. In recent years he loved driving around the area near Decker Lake and pointing out where farms, churches and schools used to be while sharing stories of his early years. His close associations with cousins continued throughout his life and he counts them among his choicest friends. DeVel attended Granite High School, where he was very involved in Future Farmers of America, even traveling back east by passenger train to judge poultry competitions.

DeVel served in the Eastern States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, followed by 2 years of service in the US Army during the Korean conflict, where he was stationed in Kobe Japan. After his army service, DeVel attended Brigham Young University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He spent several years working for Kaibab Industries in Flagstaff and Phoenix Arizona before returning home to the Salt Lake Valley. 

DeVel married his sweetheart Josephene Hanson in the Salt Lake Temple on April 14, 1972, where they settled in Holladay to raise their two boys, Paul and Roy. DeVel ‘s decades of accounting work for the State of Utah included helping introduce computers to simplify and improve processes. DeVel excelled at developing systems with greater efficiency, accuracy and practicality. DeVel served for decades in the Church as a ward and stake clerk, and auditor. 

DeVel loved spending time with his family going on drives and “inspecting” all the roads in the state. He was a self-appointed “sidewalk superintendent” and enjoyed watching how roads and infrastructure changed and developed over the years. He enjoyed trains and built a model train railroad layout with his sons when they were young.  Later he cherished building trestles & bridges with his grandkids for a larger scale outdoor railroad. Many happy hot dog and lemonade picnics took place in the garden by the train. He was interested in trees and planted many species of pines & redwoods on his property in Holladay, as well as growing a beautiful and abundant garden each year. 

DeVel enjoyed traveling with his wife during their retirement and together they traveled to many temples all around North America. 

DeVel is survived by his brothers Dave (Trudy - deceased) Gedge and Kay (Alice) Gedge, his sons Paul Gedge and Roy (Susan) Gedge, and his grandchildren Sagan and JulieJo. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his younger siblings Bill Reed, Melba Jane, and many cousins. There must be a joyous reunion occurring on the other side!

Funeral services will be held at the Valley View 11th Ward House located at 1925 Gundersen Ln (4101 South) in Holladay Utah on Friday September 27, 2004 at 11 am.  Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Those unable to attend may watch the service at https://youtube.com/live/4W2jNoAZHaE.