Orin Richards Woodbury, our cherished patriarch, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2017, surrounded by his adoring family. Orin will be remembered for his integrity, tireless service, inexhaustible work ethic, quick wit, generosity and deep compassion.
Orin was born on May 14, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of four children and oldest son of F. Orin and Nina Richards Woodbury. His parents taught him lessons of honesty, hard work, self-sufficiency and thrift. He lived these principles throughout his life and instilled them in those around him.
He graduated from East High School and studied Engineering at the University of Utah for two years while courting Imogene Randall, prior to his call to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hawaiian Islands. During Orin's tenure in Hawaii, he witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor which thrust the United States into World War II and delayed his return home to family and sweetheart. Completing his missionary service, he enlisted in the Navy and trained as a Naval Aviator. Finally, after five years of separation, Orin was granted leave to return to Salt Lake City to be sealed to Imogene in the Salt Lake Temple in 1945. She then joined him in Pensacola, Florida, where Orin was a Naval Flight Instructor for the remainder of his term of active duty.
After the war, Orin and Imogene returned to civilian life in Salt Lake City to raise their family. Orin worked as loan officer for Home Benefit Building Society. He founded Practical Building Company, a residential construction business; he obtained his Real Estate Broker license; he returned to the University of Utah to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. In 1954, Orin, along with his father, brother, and the Franklin D Richards family, founded Richards Woodbury Mortgage Corporation. Orin served there for over thirty years, eventually as President and as Chairman of the Board. Meanwhile he also maintained his role with Woodbury Corporation where he served as Vice President and Treasurer and eventually Chairman of the Board. Orin took satisfaction in this family business that has spanned four generations.
In 1966, Orin and Imogene answered the call to preside over the LDS Hawaii Mission. Their family learned from their examples of sacrifice and dedication to the Lord, and also developed a love for the Island peoples and cultures.
A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Orin lived close to the Lord. His discipleship was personal and exact. A great teacher, he taught correct principles through his captivating storytelling, which endeared him to all who heard his tales. His Church service positions included Stake President of two stakes, counselor in three stake presidencies, member of the Church Correlation Committee, member of the Church Real Estate Investment Committee, and Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Deseret Trust Company. In his desire to provide service in his aged years, he assigned himself to do two hours of genealogical indexing every night, cataloging tens of thousands of names over the years, and he remained a faithful home teacher.
Orin served as Vice President for Support Services in the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver. Orin greatly valued education and his generosity provided the means for many individuals to pursue educational opportunities at multiple institutions. He was a mentor and secret benefactor to untold many. Although he generally shunned the limelight, Utah Valley University awarded him an honorary Doctorate degree in 2004 and he was a major supporter of UVU's Woodbury School of Business.
Orin worked long hours at the office six days a week until the last week of his life. He altered his work routine only by cruising at sea with Imogene and other family members.
Above all, Orin was a family man. His posterity was his greatest joy and will be his greatest legacy. He gathered his descendants together regularly, to dine, to sing, to play, to travel. He provided them opportunities to grow, to serve and to strengthen bonds, teaching them to prioritize family and to love unconditionally. We are inspired by his example and we will cherish it always.
Orin leaves a legacy of love with his children, 25 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and other families he adopted as his own. He is survived by his children: Beryl Clayton, Nina (Russell) Booth, Randy (Jan) Woodbury, Lynette (Paul) Vernon, and Guy (Carie) Woodbury; son-in-law Richard Chatelain; and sister, Dorothy W. Macrate. Orin is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 67 years, Imogene, his daughter, Jeannie Chatelain, and his siblings, Wallace R. Woodbury and Marilyn W. Twitchell.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Mt. Olympus Stake Center at 4176 Adonis Drive in Salt Lake City. Viewings will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, and Friday, January 27, 2017 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the chapel prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, Orin's family requests contributions to LDS Humanitarian Aid.
The family wishes to thank the many extended family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues who have loved and been loved by Orin.
