Derek Frank Metcalfe, 82, passed away peacefully May 14, 2015 at his home in Draper, Utah. The youngest of 8, Derek was born January 25, 1933 in Patea, Taranaki, New Zealand, to Frank and Anne Metcalfe. He married Maureen Ottley in Wellington, New Zealand, March 5, 1953. Later sealed in the New Zealand Temple April 29, 1958. After Maureen passed away (1995), he was sealed (married) to Sonja Buxton November 8, 2002 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Derek grew up farming and enjoyed rugby and wrestling as a youth. He served in the New Zealand Army and later was a policeman in Wellington until he and his family were called as New Zealand Temple Labor Missionaries. Upon completion, he served as the assistant temple recorder until immigrating to Utah with his family in 1961. He was a member of the LDS church and served in many capacities including bishop, stake high council, councilor in two stake presidencies and a temple sealer. He was employed by the LDS Church for over 40 years working in various capacities, including Managing Director of the Temple Department until his retirement. He was involved with over 50 temple dedications, which allowed him to travel worldwide. He was a devoted patriarch of a growing posterity and has left a legacy of love for temples and their significance to the eternal nature of the family.
He is survived by wife Sonja, Draper; son Wayne (Kathy) Metcalfe, Bountiful; stepson, Steve (Holli) Buxton, North Salt Lake; daughter, Julie (Craig) Pacini, Salt Lake City; son, Brent (Erin) Metcalfe, Jonesboro, AR; stepson Brad (Ashli) Buxton, Sandy; daughter Rebecca (Thomas) Whitchurch, Alpine; 35 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, wife Maureen, and siblings Betty, Edna, Phyllis, Percy, Dora, Hazel and John.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 21, 2015, 11:00 am at the Draper South Mountain 6th Ward, 1911 East Gray Fox Drive, Draper (adjacent to the Draper Temple). Friends may visit at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 pm, and on Thursday, 10:00-10:45 am at the chapel just prior to the funeral. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.
