Deseret News Archives,
Tuesday, September 5, 1995
In a funeral beneath the towering Wasatch Mountains and Mount Olympus that he loved so much, LDS Church and community leader Wendell J. Ashton was eulogized Monday as a man who loved God, his family and who worked to make the community a better place.
He was a man who ``simply knew how to do things in the right way and in doing them brought attention to the great cause he loved so dearly,'' said President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A former British missionary companion, close friend and associate for many years, President Hinckley was the principal speaker at services for Mr. Ashton, who died early Thursday at age 82 in Salt Lake City after a series of strokes.
The service for the former stake and mission president, who also organized and directed the church's Public Affairs Department, was publisher of the Deseret News and who was active in many types of civic affairs, were held in the Mount Olympus 8th Ward chapel.
Banks of flowers adorned the chapel, where about 750 people heard tributes prepared by his widow, Belva; two sons and five daughters; and a grandson. Bishop H. Ross Workman conducted the funeral and a graveside service high on a hillside in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust of the First Presidency, several members of the Quorum of the Twelve, other general authorities and dozens of government, civic and other leaders attended the funeral.
In his address, President Hinckley paid tribute to Mr. Ashton for his strong commitment to the church, his family and many church and community causes.
``All of us are indebted to him, whatever the cause. If it meant improvement, if it meant culture, if it meant good family environment, he was in the forefront. No mountain of opposition appeared too formidable that he was afraid to tackle it. But he never tackled blindly. He carefully thought out his plan, pursued it relentlessly, methodically almost with passion,'' President Hinckley said.
``His great strength lay in the commitment to the cause and in his consuming, single-minded attention to his goal . . . I know of no other single individual during my lifetime who has done more for the good of this community than he has. His recognition as a `A Giant in our City' was well-earned and honestly given,'' President Hinckley said.
In an apparent reference to Mr. Ashton's many fund-raising and other efforts, the church president stirred laughter in the audience when he said Mr. Ashton ``didn't hesitate to ask anybody for anything. Some of you know that.''
A Utah Symphony String Ensemble and a large chorus from the England London Mission performed during the services. Mr. Ashton served for many years as chairman of the symphony and as president of the England London LDS Mission.
Mr. Ashton's daughter, Allyson Louise A. Chard, expressed thoughts that she said her mother had asked her to convey. She also shared her own memories of her father.
``Excitement and joy seemed to be Wendell's daily companion in these most recent months,'' Chard said. He was especially heartened of late by special family activities, visits with children and grandchildren, early morning jogging companions, experiences as a Salt Lake Temple sealer, his home teaching families, a 10-year mission reunion last April and for experiences had in planning for British Week in Utah next spring.
Characterizing the essence of his life, a son, Owen R. Ashton, said his father was ``totally driven to accomplish the things he believed would make the world a better place. He carefully chose his causes. Once he put his mind to something, nothing and no one got in his way.'' One of the causes he ``cared most about'' was the church, he said.
Jeffery C. Olsen said he and many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the family are fortunate to know the ``personal side of this remarkable man, who in spite of all his many commitments, always found the time to let us know he had our best interests at heart.''
A friend and ``jogging buddy,'' Bishop Workman read tributes from the British consulate general and others, saying, ``Wendell belonged to . . . Utah, but he really belonged to us. He's our neighbor, and we loved him.''
© 1995 Deseret News Publishing Co.