Derald Laray Fruits, of Orem, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home on Saturday, May 4, 2019. He battled symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease for over 8yrs. He was born October 7, 1933, in Springfield, Missouri, to Orel Laray Fruits and Susie Nickle Fruits.
He married Dolores Ann Johnson on January 21, 1956, in Coronado, CA, during his last year of Naval service. Derald served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956 during the Korean War. He began working for General Motors Corp.
in the materials dept. after he moved his family to Michigan in 1957, returning to California in 1962. Retired from G.M., after 30 years of exemplary employment, he and Dolores moved to Oroville, where they lived for 28yrs before moving to Orem in 2018.
As a young man he excelled in sports, both baseball and basketball, but found his true passion when he discovered the game of golf, something he referred to as “the game of games”. He had a natural gift for all things mechanical, and enjoyed tackling any project that offered a challenge. However, he found his greatest joy and accomplishment in raising and spending time with his family, as a dedicated husband and father.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and spent several years serving in the Sunday School, Young Men’s, and Boy Scout programs. Derald is survived by his wife, Dolores, his 6 children: Susan (Blyden) Loutensock of Orem, UT; Rodney (Georgia) Fruits of Auburn, CA; Wendy Morgan of Fort Collins, CO; Lisa (Ken) Nelson of Orem, UT; Sherri (Dave) Mounteer of Morgan Hill, CA; Matthew (Angela) Fruits of Hollister, CA; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and his brother, Jack Fruits.
The Fruits family expresses heartfelt thanks for the excellent care and attention given to Derald by the Hospice of Utah nurses and aides, under direction of Jed Briscoe, NP, over the past seven months. Because of them, we were able to keep Derald at home, where he wanted to be, during the last months of his life. The family wishes to thank the many neighbors and friends who reached out in so many ways.
We are forever grateful for your genuine love and concern! Funeral services will be held Friday May 10, 2019 at 11am at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home at 495 South State St, Orem, Utah 84058. A viewing for friends and family will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm at The Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30am.
Burial will be held in the Orem City Cemetery with military honors by members of The American Legion. Condolences may be express to the family on this page.
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