Wendell Thurston Ashcroft

Wendell Thurston Ashcroft, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend, peacefully graduated, with honors, from this earthly University on August 12, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was escorted through the veil by his loving mother, whom he hasn’t seen since her death when he was 11 years old.
Wendell was born to George Franklin Ashcroft and Phebe Thurston Ashcroft on May 3rd, 1930. He was 88 years old at the time of his death. He died of causes due to the natural process of aging. He often said he doesn’t know he got old, it just happened.
After the death of his mother his father remarried Wilda Jensen who raised Wendell as her own. She also brought two more brothers for him. Dee Ray and Darwin.
He spent his childhood learning the value of hard work and no doubt creating some mischief with his siblings. He lived and went to school in Hyde Park as a boy, attending the Hyde Park school until 8th grade, Smithfield Jr High in the 9th grade and then North Cache until he graduated.
Wendell met his sweetheart and buddy Mary Whiting at Cache High School when Mary was a sophomore, they were married on June 24, 1949 in the Logan, Utah Temple. Wendell was, is and always will be her Knight in shining armor. They lived for a short time in Smithfield, then in Hyde Park.
Wendell joined the Air Force in 1951 and he and Mary lived on the Airforce base in Amarillo, Texas for 4 years where their daughter Nancy was born and exactly one year later their son Richard was born. While Mary was busy with two young children Wendell was a Jet Mechanics Instructor on the base.
He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1955 and they moved back to Hyde Park, Utah where he attended and earned his teaching degree from the Utah State Agricultural College. During that time and while he was teaching sons Dale and Alan were born.
Wendell taught the 6th grade students at Woodruff and Ellis Elementary schools and then at Mt. Logan Middle School from 1961 to 1991. He also enjoyed working with his father George and brother Merlin during the summer months building houses.
He loved to travel with his family, garden and start and finish projects with his children. He has helped with remodels and additions on the homes for two of his sons and built a sand rail dune buggy from scratch with another. He was a gifted carpenter and many of his furniture pieces are still in use. He was a talented artist and he loved to paint. He enjoyed decorating his yard with items he made with his hands.
He spent countless hours serving others, usually anonymously and many people were the recipients of his service. He enjoyed mowing lawns and would just keep mowing until all his neighbor’s lawns were done. He remained active and alert mentally and physically until a few months before his death. A year ago he celebrated life by sky diving with members of his family.
Wendell and Mary have lived in Amarillo Texas, Smithfield, Utah and for the majority of their married lives, Hyde Park, Utah.
Wendell was an active and strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has held many callings. Most notably as a member of the Bishopric and on Scout Committees. His Testimony of his Savior is sure.
He was a man of few words, many of the ones he used were as colorful as a gentle box of Crayola crayons, but underneath his gruff exterior lived a humble and gentle man.
Wendell was preceded in death by his mother, father and step-mother. Sisters Vella and Mildred and brother Merlyn.
He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Nancy (Ed) Harris, son Richard (Linda) Ashcroft, son Dale (Kathy) Ashcroft and son Alan (Judy) Ashcroft. Grandchildren: Danielle, Marie, Katie, Lisa, Michael, Ian, Brady, Jason and Justin. Great-Grandchildren: Malloy, Cameron, Ethan, Kylie, Gunner, Emmalynn, Aria, Coulter, Alayna and Jackson.
Wendell would have asked you all to sit with him to drink a diet coke and enjoy a piece of chocolate so please do so.
A viewing will be held Thursday, August 16th from 6-8 pm at the Allen Mortuary. 420 East 1800 North, North Logan, Utah.
Funeral services will be on Friday, August 17th at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 am. Both will be held at the Center Street Church 65 East Center Street, Hyde Park, Utah
The family would like to thank all who have offered them comfort during this time. They express their deep gratitude to the staff at Maple Springs Assisted Living in North Logan for their compassion and care during the last few weeks of Wendell’s life.
Condolences and memories may be shared on line at www.allenmortuaries.net