Alvin Russell Hamson

Alvin Russell Hamson
Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. D&C112:10
After living a remarkable life of service and devotion to his fellow man, Alvin Russell Hamson returned home on July 5, 2009 into the arms of his loving Heavenly Father and many, many family members who had passed on before him.
Alvin was born in a tiny house on the banks of the Portneuf River , in Lava Hot Springs on September 11, 1924 to Lyman Voscoe and Petra Ingeborg Nilsson Hamson.
His repertoire of numerous childhood memories included working on the farm and fishing to keep food on the table. One of his highlights during this time was winning a State 4-H competition and being able to travel to the East to compete nationally. After returning home he made the comment he had seen enough of the world and really didn’t want to travel anymore. If he had only known!
He served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946.
He married Della Nelson on September 3, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple . They were married fifty-one years. Four very blessed and fortunate children: Ron, Elaine, Colleen and Dale were welcomed into their home.
He attended the University of Idaho from 1942-43, Gonzaga University, 1944-45, received his Bachelor of Science degree in vegetable crops from Utah State University in 1948 and received his Ph.D in 1952 from Cornell University.
He was asked to stay and teach at Cornell after graduation which he did from 1952-55 as an assistant and associate professor.
Being too far from family and missing the mountains, he returned to Utah to began teaching at Utah State University in 1955 and retired in 1992. He may have retired, but he never stopped teaching.
During his tenure at Utah State University , Alvin served twice as Acting Department Head. From 1959-1961 he was Acting Head of the Department of Horticulture, and from 1965-1966, he was Acting Head of the Department of Plant Science. Because of his expertise in vegetable crop production under irrigated conditions, he has served in advisory and consulting capacities in the following foreign countries: Jordan , Columbia , Gambia , and Syria . In addition Alvin traveled and reviewed vegetable production in Mexico , the Philippines , Thailand , Taiwan and Zambia .
He has been a member of the American Society for Horticultural Science, the Weed Science Society of America and the Utah State Horticultural Society. He was elected to honorary membership in Epsilon Sigma Phi, Alpha Zeta, Sigma Xi and Phi Kappa Phi. Special recognitions he has received include: Overall Extension Specialist Award, Certificate of Meritorious Service from Epsilon Sigma Phi and Outstanding Sponsor of the Year, Asian Festival.
He has written widely for trade journals and prepared Extension publications, new reports, etc. He had a unique ability to evaluate, identify and distinguish between the numerous varieties. As a result he was sought out by major seed companies to evaluate and characterize their varieties and germplasm. He was acclaimed to be the best person in the country to do this at that time. The Idaho farm boy taught princes, kings, sheiks, senators, and presidents around the globe how to help their people grow their own food.
He had a regular gardening program on KSL- Radio where he would give spontaneous answers to called in questions.
His Extension service took him all over the state where he continually taught many people how to grow their own fruits and vegetables. His amazing memory became legend as he could stand for hours in state and church meetings answering questions about gardening for hours without a note.
Hired by the Campbell Soup Company to develop a hearty tomato, Alvin developed the DX-52-12 tomato which has been officially named the “Hamson Tomato” in his honor.
He took special interest in providing watermelons, fruits, and vegetables to various members of several First Presidencies of the Church, “because they couldn’t get out and shop.” These events were remembered with gracious appreciation letters which he happily included in his hard bound life history of 350 pages.
Ten months ago, while still undergoing the trials of chemotherapy, he began organizing and compiling Della’s life history. The 189 pictures and 215 pages of typed copy is in it’s final stages.
He served as a Branch President in Ithaca , New York and Colombia . While in Ithaca , he and thirty-five graduate students helped to build the first LDS chapel. Upon returning to Utah , they moved to North Logan where he was immediately called as Elder’s Quorum President. He served seven years in that position and then was called as Bishop of the North Logan Ward where he served for another seven years. He was also called to several stake positions, but his favorite calling was to serve in the Primary. His highest ambition, even with waning heath, was to remain a faithful and dedicated home teacher.
For almost fifty years Alvin owned and operated the Green Canyon Orchard. He gave away more fruit than he sold.
After Della died, Alvin married Jeniene Van Dyke. In 2004 he sold the orchard and together they served a Family History Mission in Salt Lake City . After their mission they returned to the Logan Temple where they served as officiators until Alvin ’s health began to decline. He had a great love for the temple and the saving ordinances the Gospel provides. His only wish was that his family would all be united as one. He knew the Lord and loved Him with all his heart.
He is survived by his wife, Jeniene, his children: Ron, Logan; Elaine (John) Fellows, Lacey, Washington, their two daughters Elisia and Angela and two and a half great-grandchildren Jameson and Jonathan; Colleen (Carl) Rogers, North Logan, four grandchildren: Bonnie (Rob) Bowman, Huntersville, North Carolina and great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Isabella; Jennifer (Nate) Felton, and great-grandsons: Brock and Jonah; Kenneth, Cedar City, Utah, and Kristen (Troy) Kennett of Petersboro; Dale (Kim), children: Tracee (Ryan) Tillotson, two great granddaughters: Bailee and Gracee; Brad (Lacey) one and a half great-grandchildren: Braxton; Lindsee, Alexandria, and step-grandchild Jesse. Jeniene’s children: Bret (Marjorie) Adamson and Tristen, Heather (Jack) Egbert and Tanika. He was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob and his staff especially Julie and Carrie for their wonderful care and attention over the last two and a half years. Also, we would like to thank the Access Hospice nurses and aide, Lindsay, Danielle, Shawn and Scott and Annis. They were invaluable in our time of need.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, July 9, 2009 in the Logan Fifth Ward Chapel, 502 East 300 North, Logan. There will be a viewing on Wednesday evening at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North from 6-8 pm and at the Church on Thursday, from 10:30-11:30 am prior to services. Interment will take place in the Logan City Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion South Valley Post.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family on line at www.allenmortuaries.net
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donating to the Perpetual Education Fund.