After almost 90 years of hard work, family love and get-togethers, and loads of fun, Richard (Dick) Elden Vail, passed away on Sun. Jan 21 at 6:20 am at home surrounded by loving family members who hated to see him go. He was a tall, handsome, athletic guy who brought joy and happiness to all of his family and was always ready with great advice and help.
He was born to Myron Hawlk Vail and Nellie Fay Holdaway on 3/24/1928 in Vineyard, Utah. He married Bonnie Jean Johnson on June 13, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple; they were married for 48 years before she passed away on Jan 1, 1996. He was one lonely man because he loved his darling Bonnie. So, not surprisingly, he married Joan Olson Vail on May 18, 1996 in the Jordan River Temple.
She survives him along with his five children Wendy Lewis Crabtree (Ric), Kathy Tanner (Todd), Christy Wiles (Brad), Rebecca Zimmer (Will), Todd Vail, his sister, Flora Barrus, his sister-in-law, Manijeh Vail, and his brother, Ray Vail (Sherry). He is preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, brother Roger Vail, sister and brother-in-law, June and Ewel Grossberg, son-in-law Rik Lewis, Joan's son, Kirk McNelly, and grandson, Ian Iannone.
He is also survived by Joan's children, Debbie Stanley (Roger), Jeff Christiansen (Leslie), Mitch Christiansen (Michiko), Todd Christiansen (Stacia), Cory Hash, Jim Christiansen (Kim), Kim Christiansen (Palemia). He is also survived by (34) grandchildren and (35) great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Sat, Jan 27, 2018 at the Sandy Midvalley Stake Center, 1106 E. Old Dairy Rd (8050 S) at 11am with a viewing from 9:30-10:45am. A viewing will also be held Fri, Jan 26, 2018 from 6-8pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Rd, (10600 South) Sandy, Utah. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com
