Unity marks Lehi divers' funeral

LEHI — The wife and girlfriend of the two brothers who died in a scuba diving tragedy last week spoke together Wednesday at the funeral, which was attended by more than 1,000 friends and family members.

The unusual and striking display of unity and shared grief underscored the inseparable relationship between Ashton D. Hobbs and Byron Dale (B.J.) Hobbs Jr., a frequent theme during a two-hour gathering marked by stories, laughter and tears.

Ashton was 23 and B.J. 21 when the pair drowned Thursday attempting a dangerous and illegal dive in a concrete tunnel in the Murdock Canal between Lehi and Highland. The accident is still under investigation, and results of an autopsy are not expected until next week.

"It's painful knowing they're moving on without us," said B.J.'s girlfriend, Jamie Phippen, "but I know our pain will not go unnoticed by Heavenly Father."

Ashton Hobbs, who was 23, died two days before his first wedding anniversary and left behind his wife, Tami, and 6-month-old son Teagan.

"I love you, Ashton Hobbs, so much," said Tami Hobbs, her arm wrapped around Phippen. "You were the best husband, the best father, the best listener, the best communicator and the best everything I can think of. He loved me so much."

The two women, as well as the men's sisters and brother, all declared their belief they will see their loved ones again.

"I am so glad for the resurrection," Phippen said. "I know we'll see B.J. again."

LDS Bishop Brad Burr said Ashton and Tami Hobbs had been preparing to be sealed together and Teagan to them in an LDS temple ceremony in the weeks before his death. Burr encouraged the family to go ahead with the ceremony, which the church would allow with a family member standing in as a proxy for Ashton.

"It's what Ashton wanted and was working diligently toward," Burr said.

The deeply religious moments were interspersed with fun — and funny — stories about the brothers, who were adventure-seeking, energetic men whose magnetic personalities attracted friends easily.

Ashton Hobbs was an Eagle Scout who loved rock climbing, hunting, boating, camping and driving a bullet bike. He also was an airplane pilot and the Utah 3-A soccer MVP in 1998, when he helped lead Lehi High School to a state championship for the second straight year. He coached Lehi's boys team last year.