Reese Merle Almond

“Thank you for your smile!” is the well-known greeting given by our beloved father, grandfather, husband, brother, and friend, Reese Merle Almond, who passed away peacefully at the age of 92 years on August 21, 2020 at his home in West Valley City, Utah.

He was born November 1, 1927 in Downey, Idaho to Oscar and Nina Almond, and was the oldest of their 12 children.

Reese was married for time and all eternity to the love of his life, Lucia “Leah” Nelson, in the Logan Temple on July 25, 1950, making this year the celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary!

He rejoiced in his children, Mike (Cherie), Kimber (Janice-deceased), Kelly (Saundra), Kevin, Jayme (Alisha), and his 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was an honorable veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in the Korean war.

He was a graduate from Utah State University with degrees in English, Art and Music which he applied to his love of teaching young minds, where he was decidedly popular and loved by his many students.

Reese shared his magnificent bass singing voice to awe-inspired listeners and was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 8 years.

Reese was a skilled writer, producing his own autobiography “The Outdoorsman”. He was also a captivating storyteller, keeping his audience entertained with humorous tales of adventure and shenanigans.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman, and took great pleasure in making treasured memories for others through his creative videography of wildlife and nature, weddings, sporting events, and the list goes on and on.

Joy was in the air whenever Reese was eagerly creating his incredible wood carvings as he expressed his emotions and spirituality through these amazing works of art. He enjoyed telling the story that he had behind each of his inspiring carvings of various fish and birds, where he had an ability to bring them to life by capturing their movement within their natural habitat.

Among his many talents, he had a gift for being a positive minded peacemaker and counselor, spreading cheer, and sharing wisdom along with insight that blessed many lives. One of his greatest talents was the ability of making people feel loved and welcomed.

Reese had a passion for serving his Father in Heaven and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout his life. Reese and Leah were excited to be called to serve as senior missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where they served valiantly in the Salt Lake inner-city mission.

Reese is now happily fulfilling the continuation of his life’s mission in the Heavens, singing alongside the choirs of angels with all the exuberance and joy of his soul.

Your legacy of love in serving others, with kindness to all, will live on in your family forever, and now it's our turn to say, “Thank you for your smile!”

Funeral Services will be held on August 31, 2020:

A Viewing will be held for family and friends at 12pm-12:50pm at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South West Valley, Utah.

A Chapel Funeral Service will take place at 1pm, and due to State mandates concerning Covid-19, it will be limited to immediate family. However, all are welcome to visit a “live” streaming of this service on the website www.valleyviewfh.com, under the obituary of Reese Merle Almond, then click on the link “Join Livestream”.

All are invited to a Graveside Service and Dedication from 3pm-4pm at the Veteran’s Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road (1700 West) Bluffdale, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, donations towards funeral services are appreciated. Please donate through Venmo, @kelly-almond-1.