Obituary: Thomas "Tom" Randall Christensen

Thomas "Tom" Randall Christensen 1925 ~ 2005 VENICE, UTAH - Tom Christensen, 79, of Venice, Utah, passed away July 17, 2005, in Provo, Utah. He was born September 13, 1925, in McCornick, Utah to Ida Belle Gledhill and Randall Christensen. He married Dezra June Leavitt, in the Manti LDS Temple on November 18, 1946. Tom was a successful and dedicated dairyman and farmer in the Sevier Valley his entire life. An important part of Tom's life and happiness, besides his loving family, was serving in local, regional, and state organizations. He served 12 years in the Utah State Legislature, 1979 to 1991. He was a member of the LDS Church and served as bishop, in bishoprics, 35 years as ward clerk and many other church callings. Tom and June served together in the Fish Lake Branch and in the Manti Temple. He served in the Army during World War II and was in the 213th Field Artillery Battalion in the Korean War. Tom will be remembered by all who knew him for his honesty, fairness, integrity and the courtesy with which he treated everyone. He is survived by his wife, June, Venice; children, Randy and Sue Christensen, serving a mission in Argentina; Tom and Bess Christensen, Annabella; Jack Christensen, Sandy; Janese Christensen, Provo, Roxanne and Mike Staheli, Oak City; and Jonathan and Christine Christensen, Bountiful; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Randa Melville, Bowling Green, KY; and Afton Buchanan Whitbeck, Salt Lake; brothers-in-law, Keith and Roberta Hooper, Richfield; and Ralph Hafen, St. George; sister-in-law, Ann Buchanan, Kaysville; and his special cousin, Don and Mina Nebeker, American Fork. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Christian Leroy Buchanan, who raised him; sisters, Mary Christensen Hooper; Iris Buchanan Hafen; brother, Dwain Buchanan; brother-in-law, Robert Melville; two infant grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2005, at 12 Noon in the Venice LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the Magleby Mortuary on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the ward chapel in Venice on Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery with Military Rites by the V.F.W. Sevier Post #5050. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Perpetual Education Fund. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the IHC health care professionals and to all the neighbors and friends.