Alvin Julian Dansie, 87, a kind, gentle, humble, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at his home in Sandy, November 16, 2020, after several years battling Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. He was born in Salt Lake City, November 9, 1933, to Julian LeGrand Dansie and Ruby Roxanna Sweeney. His mother passed away when he was four years old. His father later married Lyona Snow Andersen who was a sweet second mother to him and his older sister Dixie.
He grew up in East Millcreek and attended local schools, graduating from Granite High School in 1952. He attended Salt Lake Trade Tech for one year, before enlisting in the Air Force, where he served for four years, from 1953-1957. He was a propeller mechanic and spent two years in Japan. Upon his discharge, he attended Weber College in the Electronics Technician program, graduating in June 1959. Following graduation he married Linda Lee Harris in the Salt Lake Temple on June 23, 1959. He worked for many years for Sperry Univac, and later worked at several electronic firms, until he retired. In November 1968, while at Sperry, he was was sent to Vietnam for several weeks to work on a top-secret assignment installing special surveillance equipment in airplanes.
Alvin and Linda lived for a short time in Bountiful and Centerville, then moved to their new home in Sandy, in October 1960, and started their family of five children. He was a very skilled carpenter, remodeler, builder, and all-around handyman that could fix anything. He loved tinkering with antique cars and trucks.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong, though mostly unspoken, testimony of the Savior and the Gospel. (He was not fond of public speaking.) He served in many callings in The Church. His favorite calling was being in the Nursery with Linda. He also enjoyed serving with Linda for eight years in the Jordan River Temple Baptistry, and two six month service missions at Heber Valley Camp where they lived in their vintage Air Stream trailer.
He is survived by his wife, Linda and five children: Stephen Alvin (Peggy Winkler), Diane Lee Wardle (Charles), John LeGrande (Heidi Jentzsch), Karen Straub (Dean), and Matthew Harris (Amy Jardine); sixteen grandchildren: Jennifer Dansie, Jacob Dansie, Benjamin Dansie, Stephanie Brandt (Daniel), Emilee Dansie, Melissa Wardle, Travis Wardle (Chloe Bickmore), Michael Wardle, Jesse Wardle, Brittnie Adams (Austin), Hillary Anderson (Ian), Chandler Dansie, Landon Dansie, Jeremiah Straub (Cara Poole), Joshua Straub, and Leah Straub; and six great-grandchildren, Elayna Marie Wardle, Charlotte Rae Adams, Harper Grace Adams, Atticus John Adams, Rylee Lynn Anderson, and Kyrian Dean Straub.
He is also survived by three sisters and three brothers: Donette Flandro (Mark), Jane Crandall (Dennis), Nina Henderson (Frank), Charles Dansie (Carol), LeGrand Dansie (Joyce) and Micheal Dansie (Joyce); and brothers and sisters-in-law: Blaine and Geneil Harris, Randy and Karen Harris, and Jill Harris, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dixie, brothers-in-law, David Jensen, and Alan Harris.
Graveside services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, (10600 South), Sandy, Utah, Friday, November 20, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. A viewing for immediate family members will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be observed. The graveside service will be available for viewing Zoom with the link below.
Alvin’s family is very appreciative of the wonderful Harmony Hospice caregivers, Janet, Levy, Bethany, Aubrey, Laurie, Jamie, Courtney and Jennifer who provided so much kind care and comfort for Alvin and peace of mind for Linda. Thanks to all of you!
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Parkinson Disease Association, to help find a cure for these terrible illnesses.
Recording of the graveside service can be listened to at the following link:
Dear Linda and Family,
We were saddened to read in the paper of the passing of your dear Alvin. We have such pleasant memories of having lived in the Sandy 12th Ward from 1963 through the early part of January 1967. At that time Joan and I left to go on a mission to Great Britain shortly after we adopted a new baby girl. Anyway, we have such wonderful memories of living on Serpentine Way and just down the street at 986 Serpentine. We always remember you and Alvin so well. I'm trying to remember where Alvin worked. Was it Hercules or some other place on the west side of the valley. I remember how wonderful and friendly each of you were. Joan and I remember seeing you and Alvin at wedding receptions, etc., at the stake center over on Galena Way.
We pray that t he Lord will bless you and your sweet family. We are trying to figure out how to watch the graveside service on the computer. Our love and sincere best wishes. Douglas and Joan Palmer
So many things I could say about you, but there's just not enough room here.
Thank you for being my dad.
I love you.
Here is a great man. I worked with Alvin (Big Al as I called him) at Bio-logics years ago up in Research Park. I always admired him for his great character and his love for people. He always had a smile and a great outlook on life. I never remember him becoming upset - always had an easy going personality. He was a joy to be around. I will always remember his little chuckle. He was a great employee, a great asset to the company, and great friend.
I was sorry to read that he suffered from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's at the end. I just wanted the family to know what a great man they have for a husband, father, Grandfather, and great Grandpa. Please accept my condolences.
Many years ago i worked with Al for a short time at Sperry. I don't know that have ever met a nicer guy. He had a very quiet calm spirit about him and I enjoyed working with him. So sorry to hear of his passing.