Events
Celebration of Life
The Chateau at The Rose Shop, 1910 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) Sandy, UTSaturday May 13, 2023 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tad was born 6/27/1957 at 9:33pm in Murray, Utah to Max Lovell Vawdrey & Patricia Ann Beebe. They lived in Draper, Utah. He had seven siblings, Mike (Sue), Diann (Scott Landeen), Leslie (Jim Draper), Randy (Leslie), Maxine (Dennis Ipson), Wade (Lynette), and Myron (Lori).
Tad's family moved to San Jose, California when he was young, then later moved to Orangeville, California where he graduated from Bella Vista High School. He loved growing up there and had great memories.
Tad would spend summers with his Grandpa Beebe in Midway, Utah shoeing horses and learning and loving how to work hard in the country life.
In Tad's younger years he was a smaller guy. After graduation, he got into weightlifting and fell in love with it and the security and self-esteem it gave him, he was very passionate about it and met a lot of friends along the way. Through his physical ailments in his lifetime weightlifting was the one thing that always kept him mentally and physically strong.
Tad married Thelma Monaice Ostler 9/1979. They were married for ten years and had three children, Thelma Nicole, Jake Thomas and Bailee Michelle. His children were the light in his life and he enjoyed every minute with them. They blessed him with six grandchildren, Cole and Gwen (Nicole), Beckham and Gracie (Jake & Lacey), and Oaklee and Kace (Bailee).
Tad worked in the steel industry for ten years and was very good at it and loved it. He would get done twice as fast as the other workers. Due to injuries he had to leave the trade. He then went to Utah Highway Patrol and became a Dispatcher. He worked there for a short time then helped start Valley Emergency Communications Center, the largest Dispatch center in the state of Utah. He Dispatched for 30 years and was the best at what he did. West Valley was his favorite channel and he kept them safe. They always felt at ease when his voice was heard over the air. He retired on 4/14/2018 being the first male Dispatcher in Utah to retire with 30 years of straight Dispatching.
Tad met the love of his life Christina Marie Santos, being set up on a blind date by his beloved Aunt Ramona and friend Jeri Vigil Sharp. Tad and Christina were married 5/1991. They had 32 years together and a daughter Trista Marie born 8/1999, she was the sunshine in our world that made our family complete.
Anyone that knows Tad probably has a Tad story. He told it like it was, no filters and that was one of the qualities we loved about him.
Tad is preceded in death by his father Max Vawdrey and grandparents on both sides.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Tad on Saturday, May 13, 2023, beginning at 11:00 am at The Chateau at The Rose Shop, 1910 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT. Please come and share your fond memories and favorite stories. Beginning at 12:30 pm, there will be an informal service for those who would like to attend.
Until we meet again my Love, RIP.
Your loving wife,
Chrise
A Go Fund Me account has been created to help the family: https://gofund.me/c5922520
Guestbook/Condolences
Hi dad, I know your up there four wheeling, lifting weights with you healthy and happy body but you better be up there celebrating your reunion with your dad! Fly high and raise hell dad!
I remember how he always handles a tough situation at work with extreme professionalism and then when it was over he could relax the mood and make you laugh. He was always great to work with and willing to help out. He will be missed by many who lived him. My thoughts and prayers go out to Christ and the kids.
To the entire Family,
I have few words, except my condolences to your Family.
Sometimes loss and grief are messy, remember all the good times,
memories are what helps us recover. I worked with Heather, beautiful
soul, Iam so very sorry,
My prayer is healing and hope maybe this helps,
" Its okay to not be okay sometimes " Matt West
Love to all,
Cindy Otness
Tad- you were the best trainer VECC had to offer. Thankfully the bulk of my career included you showing me how the job is done. You and Chrisy helped me when I was beginning to separate from my husband by watching my young daughter a few times. You treated Emerie like she was your own blood when she was there. Tad always had such pride when he talked about his wife and his kids. He could be having the worst day but it would turn right around when he would talk about the plans they had as a family. Thankfully I was able to help and watch their little dog while they got to go on these great adventures.
I am so sorry for the loss Vawdrey family. They do not make men like Tad anymore but as an outlier to your family it was an honor to have known him.
I’m so sorry for your loss Chrise - good people are few and far between, and that’s one quality you both share. It was a wonderful to have met him. ~ Steph