Theron Bowles

Theron Arlynn Bowles was born to Grafton Ann and Lillian Edith Lavinia Walker Bowles, in Herriman, Utah on December 21, 1928, the 14th of 15 children. When Theron was 2 years old his father suffered an injury that required the amputation of one of his legs; a condition that created hardship and scarcity. As a result, all of the boys, including Theron in his turn, worked to help support their family. His childhood was rife with poverty and struggle but also the charity, support and kindness of family and community.  Growing up he worked many jobs to help provide while he attended Jordan High School, from where he graduated in 1947.

Theron was called to the Southern States mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It had been a dream of his mother’s that one of her boys would be called and he was so happy that it was him. While his calling came in 1947 his mission was delayed for a year due to an accident he had with a table saw. He eventually served from 1949-1951 although short one and a half fingers.

Not long after his homecoming, Theron met Sherry LaDean Lloyd, who would soon become his bride and second love (after Snow White with whom he’d been smitten since he was 10).  Theron and LaDean met when he spoke in a church meeting and a few weeks later he asked her out. Soon they were engaged, though without an engagement ring for seven months; as LaDean was always quick to remind him.  They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 14th, 1953 and started their family shortly thereafter.  Over the years the Bowles family continued to grow to an eventual ten children including 6 sons and 4 daughters.

While Theron had many jobs as a young man, he began his career as a journeyman plumber with Bowles Brothers Plumbing. He worked at this job for several years during which time he built his family’s home in Taylorsville; scrimping, saving and trading to do so.  After work he spent many hours, long into the night building the home that he and LaDean filled with so much love, laughter, song and joy.  Their door was always open, with a flood of friends and family coming and going at all times, especially the monthly birthday celebrations they hosted.   We are deeply grateful that he was able to leave the hospital, to come home and depart this life from within the comfort of the home he built. 

In 1966, Theron and two of his brothers invested in a neighbor’s business, Advanced Packaging.  A year later, the business struggling, Theron and his brothers acquired it outright and changed the name to Bowles Packaging Company. Over the years, Theron bought his brothers out as they retired until he was the sole owner where he continued to work and grow the company. Upon his retirement, he turned the business over to several of his sons who have continued to expand it as a family, having provided livelihoods for three generations over 50 years. 

Theron loved The Book of Mormon. While serving his mission, he solidified his testimony of our Saviour Jesus Christ through reading, studying, and abiding by His teachings. He had many church callings throughout his life including Bishopric Counselor, Bishop, High Councilman, and Counselor in two Stake Presidencies. When he was 45 years old he was called to be a Patriarch in the Taylorsville Stake; a position which he held for the rest of his life.  Over the years he gave almost 1800 patriarchal blessings.  Just three weeks before he died, he gently placed his two hands, eight and a half fingers, on his great grandson’s head, and gave his final blessing.  Of the many callings he held in the church, he was most humbled and honored to have served in this one.

Theron loved his family and making memories with us.  He and LaDean started many traditions that we will cherish and continue into future generations. Traditions such as celebrating monthly birthdays as a chaotic extended family, delivering Memorial Day flowers, making sourdough waffles on holidays, 4th of July family reunions at East Canyon, running trains to the delight of his grandchildren during the holidays, listening to A Christmas Carol and reading about the birth of Christ from the scriptures on Christmas Eve.  Finally, there were few things he loved more than music; from Brahm’s to Broadway, he loved singing with his posterity. It wasn’t a family gathering at Grandpa and Grandma’s house without someone at the piano and at least half a dozen children filling their home with his favorite songs. Whether he was smiling or feigning grumpiness from practical jokes, or April Fool’s, he was always so animated and so much fun.  He loved without judgment, counseled with wisdom, served with kindness and led all who knew him with a towering example of faith, testimony and love.

Theron passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 after a long and wonderful life and a short illness. His mind and wit were sharp and he was smiling with his family right up to the end. He’d been hospitalized for a couple of days before deciding that he wanted to be home with his sweetheart, where he passed away by her loving side one month shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his beloved wife LaDean, children Gil (Linnaea), Sherry (Rob) Osborne, Dawn (Dave) Warner, Bryce (Roseanne), Wade (Wendy), Gloria Butkovich, Stuart (Lori), Michael (Kimberlee), and David Bowles, 40 grandchildren and 65 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, daughter Jan and granddaughters Hannah and Valerie and great grandson Lincoln. He was profoundly loved and will be sorely missed. ❤️

Funeral Services
Taylorsville Utah Stake Center
4845 Woodhaven Dr., Taylorsville, UT

Viewings
    Friday, April 21, 5:30 - 8:30 PM  
    Saturday, April 22, 9:30 - 10:45 AM

Funeral Services 
    Saturday, April 22, 11:00 AM

Graveside Services
Memorial Redwood Mortuary & Cemetery
6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT
     Saturday, April 22, 2:00 PM

Following is the zoom link for the funeral services:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5523626505?pwd=VnR3c1oxeFdBeFROaU1RMlZ6Y0lTZz09