Farr West, Utah — Marvin Daniel White, 84, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019 at Seasons Assisted Living. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Phyllis Baker White; two daughters, Cindy White Smith (Mark), and Susie White Tayrien; four sons, Mark (Cynthia), Kerry (Karen), Keith (Heather) and Michael (Cynthia); twenty grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Marvin was born and raised in Goshen, Utah, the son of Donald Baxter and Delia Newman White.
He was the youngest of six children, all of whom preceded him in death. In his teenage years, Marvin worked as a farm hand, including driving tractors and teams of horses. After graduating from Payson High School in 1953, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Mission.
He served in the Utah National Guard. Marvin attended Brigham Young University, graduating in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He earned a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in 1968.
He met his wife, Phyllis Baker, in Salt Lake City, and they were married in 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was employed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 35 years, first as a caseworker in the Indian Student Placement Program in Salt Lake City, then as director of the Placement Program in Denver, Colorado. In 1973 he transferred to the LDS Social Services Agency in Renton, Washington, and spent the next 27 years facilitating the adoption program and providing thousands of hours of counseling services, as well as conducting marriage enrichment seminars.
Marvin’s rural roots remained with him throughout his life. He enjoyed state and county fairs, polka music, draft horse pulling contests, tractor shows and gardening. He began collecting antique tractors and accumulated a large collection of various sizes and makes.
Marvin was a charter member and served as president of the Two-Cylinder Tractor Club in Washington. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving over the years in a variety of positions, including teacher, Sunday School President, High Priests Group Leader, Bishop, Branch President, member of the Stake High Council, and Stake Executive Secretary. In 2001-2002, he and his wife, Phyllis, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rumford, Maine.
He also served a stake mission and a service mission at LDS Employment Services. When asked about a treasured memory, Marvin responded, “My most treasured memories relate to my family”. The family wishes to express gratitude to our palliative care team at McKay Dee Hospital, Comfort Worx Hospice, and the staff at Seasons Assisted Living for the tender loving care they provided our beloved husband and father.
Also, heartfelt thanks to the Poplar 1st Ward and Anderson & Goff Mortuary. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Poplar Ward Building, 2123 N 2000 West, Farr West, Utah. The viewing will be from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Interment will be at the Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund.
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