Eldon Smith Greaves

Eldon Smith Greaves, age 93, passed away peacefully in his home on September 24th, 2023. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 5th, 1930, the youngest of six children of Theoharis and Sarah Greaves. After graduating from Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Eldon served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Palestine-Syrian (Near East) Mission and in Belgium. Following his mission he served in the US Army to support the Korean War effort; he was stationed in Germany during his military tenure.

After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Utah he moved to Los Angeles; it was there that he met Ruth Wilde and they were married in the LDS Temple in Los Angeles on October 16th, 1957.

Eldon and Ruth eventually moved to Salem, Oregon in 1961 and together they reared five sons. As a devoted husband and father, Eldon always put his family first in his life.

Eldon worked in a variety of professions, finishing his work career as an LCSW for the State of Oregon. Outside of work, Eldon was always involved in his community and was loved and respected by all. He loved the arts, classical music, sports, humor, and was deeply devoted to his faith. As one of his final church assignments he served for fourteen years as the Patriarch for the church congregations in South Salem.

Eldon will be deeply missed. He was kind, funny, compassionate and cared for those around him. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth Greaves, sons Sheldon (Denise), David (Georgia), Paul, Chris (Laura), and Eric (Rebecca); grandchildren Alexandra, Maddy, Jack, Riley, Ruby, Nik, Senica, Zane, Colton, Violet, Jamison and Julian; and 1 great-granddaughter Pepper Rose.

A memorial service for Eldon will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00am at the LDS Church Building, 4550 Lone Oak Rd. SE. He will be laid to rest at the Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon.