Edson Packer, age 79, was born on Nov. 16, 1934 in Schwarzenberg, Germany to the late Edson Smith Packer and Irene Magdalene Friedrich, coming to Utah as an infant just prior to the beginning of WWII. He died peacefully at home in Draper UT, surrounded by his loving family, from complications of Parkinson's disease.
Edson is married to Sharon Barton Packer and they have spent 53 wonderful years together. They met on the library steps at the University of Utah and were married June 12, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised their family of 6 children in Cottonwood Heights.
He enjoyed his career with American Bankers as president and owner of Packer and Associates, and appreciated his associations and friendships gained through those ventures.
Edson was raised in Heber City, UT and graduated from Wasatch High School in 1953. He loved sports and participated in football, basketball, tennis and wrestling. He served two years in the armed forces during the Korean conflict, after which he attended Brigham Young University for 2 years and later attended the University of Utah, graduating in 1962 with a BS degree in accounting.
His family and friendships were extremely valuable to him and he loved working in his home gardens and running his tractor. He loved spending time with his family at Bear Lake and had an obsession for playing tennis and watching BYU sports.
Edson had an unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many capacities including bishopric, high counsel and stake mission presidency.
As a stalwart disciple of Christ, he has left a wonderful legacy of faith, service and commitment. It is a testament of the life he lived.
Edson is survived by his wife, Sharon Barton Packer, six children: Julie Packer, Bart (Kelli) Packer, Bradley (Rukia) Packer, Neil Packer, Roseanne (Dayne) Hassett, Lacy (Brett) Benson, 20 grandchildren and 6 great grand children.
He will also be dearly missed by his brothers and sisters Steven (Pilar) Packer, Saundra (Boyd) Penz, Brian (Claudia) Packer and Linda (Glen) Vincent.
Viewing will be held on Monday, July 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Larkin Mortuary, 10600 So. 1950 E. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 12:00 noon, at the Corner Canyon 5th Ward, 13006 So. Boulter St (1480 E) with a viewing from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to the service.
