Utah
Chris Vest, 62
Died January 11, 2021.
Salem Elementary School, Salem, UT
Fifth Grade
Our husband, father, brother, teacher, and best friend returned to his Heavenly Father on January 11th, 2021 after a long and hard battle in the Provo ICU with COVID-19. We are so proud of him and how strong he is, and truly feel that he could tell us: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Chris was born on March 25, 1958 in Provo, Utah, but he was raised in Payson by his parents, Gene Vest and Elaine Shuler Vest, and lived there his entire life. He loved hunting with his dad and brothers, swimming on the Payson swim team, helping his dad on the farm, and playing football for Payson High School.
After he graduated, he worked in construction for about 15 years before going back to school and graduating from BYU with a degree in elementary education. For the next 27 years, he would bless the lives of countless fifth graders and their families at Salem Elementary. We all remember his funny stories and the way he empowered us to be our best selves and to love learning. In the summers, he ran the family farm and served on the Salem Canal Company board, eventually as its president, advocating for water rights and other farmers.
Within his first few years of teaching, Chris met Janet Panhorst, the new teacher in his grade level, and they fell in love. They were married in the Mt.Timpanogos temple in 1997 and soon after started their family of three daughters: Kylee, Sheridan, and Alaina.
Chris’ family was absolutely everything to him. We always knew we were his top priority. He took us on four wheeler trips to his favorite former hunting spots in Fish Lake, Utah, and he never missed a soccer game, piano recital, or a chance to teach us how to work on the farm. We will never forget his legacy of hard work, kindness, and the influence one person can have on hundreds in a small sphere. We love him, are so proud of him, and will miss him so much.
We want to give a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Utah Valley Hospital that worked so selflessly and bravely to take care of Chris. They cared for him as if he was their own loved family member. You are all our heroes.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents Gene Vest and Elaine Shuler Vest. He is survived by his brothers Randy (Joycelyn) and Jeff (Cynthia), his sister Gina (Greg), his nieces and nephews, his wife Janet, his daughters; Kylee (Taylor), Sheridan, and Alaina, one grandson who will be born in May, and Janet’s family, who consider him one of their own.
Eddye Valenzuela
Died January 8, 2021.
West High School, Salt Lake City, UT
Special Education
The Salt Lake City school community is mourning the death of a longtime para educator, who family in Peru confirmed passed away from COVID-19.
He died surrounded by fellow Salt Lake City educators, who made sure Eddye Valenzuela wasn’t alone in his final moments.
Valenzuela, or “Mr. V” as the kids called him, was known for his work with families and kids on the west side, at both Glendale Middle School and West High School.
Valenzuela’s colleagues described him as always greeting them with a warm smile and expressing genuine care for students.
Keri Taddie, Coordinator at Glendale-Mountain View Community Learning Center, got to know Valenzuela through his work at Glendale Middle School, which is in the same building complex as the Community Learning Center.
She said Valenzuela was great at “really making people feel welcome, making students and families feel welcome.”
According to those who knew him, Valenzuela worked at the Salt Lake City School District for 13 years, most of that time spent at Glendale. It was in the last year or so, they said, that he transferred to West High School to work in the Special Education Department.
“He took the time to get to know the kids,” said Chris Gesteland, West Network Director at the Salt Lake City School District.
Gesteland also knew Valenzuela well from Glendale, where Gesteland used to be the principal.
He talked about how Valenzuela was one of the few educators who was able to translate for Spanish-speaking families. He connected the families to resources, and helped students succeed in school.
“He provided an amazing bridge between us and many of our community members,” Gesteland said. “Because not only did he translate, but he was able to develop relationships with families.”
For Valenzuela, those relationships turned into a real sense of family.
“Because he didn’t have family here, the school community became that space for him,” Taddie explained. “And so, it was important to him. He really cared about the students authentically, and not just because it was his job.”
Valenzuela was alone in Utah, Taddie said, having moved here from Peru to pursue a job in education.
It was those school family members, like Gesteland, who stood by Valenzuela last Friday in the hospital.
“I was able to be at Eddye’s bedside when he passed,” Gesteland said.
While Gesteland and Taddie couldn’t confirm or speak of how Valenzuela died, Valenzuela’s family in Peru told FOX 13 the paraprofessional recently contracted COVID-19.
The family members said they believe he contracted it at home from roommates.
They said Valenzuela initially went to the hospital, but then was sent home with oxygen. They described how a week before he passed away, he had a fever and a hard time breathing.
Valenzuela went back to the hospital, where he died.
His cousins described him as a great person who did a lot for his community, and was always taking care of his mother and family back in Peru.
“His time was cut short,” Taddie said. “It wasn’t time for him to go. It was unnecessary, and I think that’s to me is the biggest tragedy.”
Valenzuela’s family had to say goodbye to him over video chat, as colleagues surrounded him in person on Friday.
“He got to message his family. He got to see videos shared from Peru. He got to see pictures shared from Peru,” Gesteland recounted. “He had a cousin playing him music, and there were all of these little pieces that were able to happen on Friday morning that I think brought Eddye a lot of peace in that time and space.”
While they brought Valenzuela peace in his last moments, his school family is now left with a devastating loss.
The Salt Lake City School District confirmed Valenzuela’s death, but could not confirm the cause, saying they can’t comment on private employee health matters.
Gesteland set up a GoFundMe to help raise the funds to return Valenzuela’s remains home to Peru, as well as funds to support his family.
Judy Nye, 58
Died December 17, 2020.
Ogden High School, Ogden, UT
Special Education
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Judy, our loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, twin, family and friend. Judy tragically died of complications from COVID-19 on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
Judy will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Dee Nye; sons: Michael Berlin, Quincy (Baylee) Nye; stepdaughters: Laci Butterfield, Stevie (Becky) Petersen, Randee Nye, Rachell Nye; grandchildren: Daeden, Koda, Evan, Ryan, Ryder, Makhi, and Trey; siblings: Kim (Richard) Morrison, Josie (Steve) Wankier, Robb (Angie) Judkins, Jan (Paul-deceased) Walters; 15 nieces and 9 nephews; In-laws, Gary and Susan Nye, as well as numerous family and friends. Her cat, Annabelle and cherished dog, Lilee will never know a love greater than Judy’s.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Tammi (Brent) Field.
Judy was born on July 27, 1962 to Bonnie Jean Howard and Joseph Eugene Judkins. During her school years, Judy was set for a career in dance. She was a truly talented ballerina. She started dancing at age 8 and went on to become a member of the Junior Ballet West Company. She danced in numerous productions including Ballet West’s Nutcracker and the Opera, Aida. Judy’s young diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes may have changed her path in dance, but not her passion for life.
She found her passion and true calling when she began working in the Special Education Department for the Ogden School District in 1992. She cared deeply for her students and worked relentlessly to ensure all her students had equal opportunities for success. She loved her peers and faculty in her current position at Ogden High School.
Judy was always looking for new learning experiences. She continued with her higher education. Her interests never waived from her student population, but just in a different direction with her second job with Reliance, an employment agency for adults with disabilities. Her advocacy for the underserved, was one of her greatest qualities. She will be missed by all her students and clients.
Judy was a peacemaker and someone who was so sensitive that she could actually feel the pain or suffering of another. This gift compelled her to continually give of herself unselfishly. The people closest to her knew the blessing of having Judy in their lives and will forever be grateful.
Because Judy so often tried to help others, she found herself in situations when she became “Dick Tracy”. She seemed to thrive on solving the mystery or problem. Her latest sleuthing involved a 5 1/2-month search for her stolen dog, Lilee. With her drive and convincing nature, Judy had retired cops and county sheriff’s taking her dog chase to a new level.
Family was everything to Judy. She was always thinking about the children. Her kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children. Whenever kids visited, Judy had some activity or prize ready. Judy never missed a chance to spoil her precious grandbabies. She cherished the countless camping trips, holiday parties, bonfires, and absolutely adored her dates nights with Dee. Everything she posted on social media was about her love and gratitude of her family and all those special occasions with them.
Gardening was a joy for Judy. She cherished her roses and enjoyed planting favorite flowers for her yearly hummingbird visitors. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Judy. She loved sitting on her deck, watching the birds, and play with her pets. Her newest joy and pleasure was huggin’ and a squeezin’ her newest grandbaby, Trey. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily activities. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met.
Judy’s latest and greatest passion was quilting. She worked diligently, took classes, and ended up creating some of the most beautiful quilts people have ever seen. She generously gave them away as gifts, along with her many other creative crafts.
Judy lived a full life as a wonderful mother, wife, and worker. Most of all she loved her family and instilled in her sons strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
We will never get over losing Judy, but her sweet soul, love, and memories will live vicariously through her loved ones forever.
A private family viewing will take place on Wednesday, December 23, from 12:00 – 1:15 PM at Heritage Park Ward Church located at 250 North 1500 West, Ogden, Utah. Extended family and friends may watch the service on Judy’s obituary at Myers Mortuary website www.myers-mortuary.com at 2:00 PM.
A private burial service will be held at Washington Heights Memorial Park located at 4500 Washington Blvd. Ogden, Utah at 2:00 PM. An open mic to share memories will be available at the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to American First Credit Union. Judy Nye Memorial Account number # 9118647.
Tracy Jean Larsen, 56
Died October 29, 2020.
North Sanpete School District, Mount Pleasant, UT
Special Education
Tracy Jean Larsen, 56, returned to her loving Heavenly Father on October 29, 2020.
Tracy was born on February 14, 1964 to Bert and Elva Porter. She married the love of her life, Chad Larsen, October 25, 1986. Together they raised their two beautiful daughters, Candice (Larsen) Holman and Lindsay (Larsen) Wootton in Spring City, UT. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti, UT Temple on their 20th wedding anniversary, October 25, 2006.
Tracy dedicated her life to helping special needs children. She started her career as a Paraprofessional with the North Sanpete School District in 1992. She touched the lives of many students over her 28 years of service.
Tracy was a devoted grandmother. She loved to go swimming, to the park, having sleepovers, reading and singing with her grandkids. Oftentimes you could catch her climbing through the playplace at McDonald’s. Her grandkids were her everything. She had always dreamed of becoming a grandma. She was loved deeply by her 3 beautiful grandkids, Keerah (Cook), Braylin (Wootton) and Dreyson (Wootton).
Tracy is survived by her husband Chad; children, Candice (Layne) Holman and Lindsay (Brady) Wootton; three grandchildren; mom, Elva Porter and sister, Kim (Dale) Sanderson.
Preceded in death by her dad, Bert Porter, grandma, Norma Jansson, aunt, Betty Jansson and great uncle, George Porter.
A funeral services will be held Saturday November 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Moroni Stake Center. Viewings will be held Friday, November 6, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Rasmussen Mortuary and Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com
The State of Utah and Tracy’s family ask if you are attending please wear a mask.