Dorothy Louise Garrett Oldham

Dorothy Louise Garrett Oldham passed away peacefully in Draper, Utah, on July 18, 2022. She was born on April 15, 1938, in Salt Lake City, to Rex Bertrand Garrett and Edith Sells Garrett. She was the second of five children. Dorothy grew up in Copperton where she enjoyed a happy childhood and made many fond memories with her family and friends. She attended Copperton Elementary school and graduated from Bingham High School in 1956.

She attended Brigham Young University for two years and then transferred to Utah State University where she earned a bachelor degree in elementary education, with a minor in music and art.

She married Hal Reading on June 1, 1961. They were later divorced. While attending USU, Dorothy met Russell Oldham at a dance, and they were married in the Logan LDS Temple on December 16, 1965.

The following years were busy as Dorothy worked several jobs, while she and Russell we’re raising their three boys. In 1981, Russell became ill and passed away. With her sons raised and starting families of their own, Dorothy eventually moved back to The Salt Lake area to be near her sisters, help her aging parents, and seek new employment opportunities. She began a career working for the Utah Highway Patrol as a Utah Vehicle Safety Inspection Compliance Officer, and served with fidelity and professionalism for 20 years.

She had many talents including music and art. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in several choirs including the BYU University Chorus, and she was an accomplished pianist. She loved to paint and created beautiful pictures of landscapes inspired by her love of nature, mountains, rivers and lakes. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed clothes for herself and family for many years. She enjoyed gardening and planted vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs that grew and flourished with her care.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She graduated from LDS Seminary and The Institute of Religion. She worked on Family History and Genealogy. She served in many callings including Sunday school, Organist, Chorister, Stake Music Director and working with the youth in Mutual. She loved working in the Jordan River Temple and did so for as long as she was able.

Dorothy left a legacy of the value of learning, the love of art, music, books and scripture. She lead by example, of working hard for things that are meaningful in life and the significance of her Savior, her family and her friends.

We would like to express a heartfelt thanks to all those who lovingly watched over and cared for Dorothy.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the River Ridge First Ward LDS Church located at 10128 S. 1300 W., South Jordan, Utah. A visitation will be held prior from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, Utah.