Jerry Wardell

On January 29, 2022, our dear husband, dad, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle and friend, Jerry Wardell, passed away after a 13-month battle with a rare disease called amyloidosis. Jerry came into this world as the second child and first son of Alden and Shirley (Strong) Wardell. He spent most of his growing up years on Keller Lane in Millcreek, attending Evergreen Junior High and Olympus High School. Upon graduating high school Jerry joined the National Guard where in August 1961 his unit was activated to full duty. It was during those years that he met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Laurel Tullis, and they were wed on September 12, 1961.

Jerry served our country in the army at both Fort Hood and Fort Sill. While at Fort Hood, their first son, Don was born. After an honorable discharge, he and Laurel returned to the Salt Lake area and soon thereafter, their daughter, Bonnie, was born.

Jerry worked for the State of Utah in the DOT and due to his talent and work ethic was able to become a civil engineer. From a young age he was able to fix and build things and at the age of 34 was the “architect and general contractor” (and with Laurel performed much of the labor) to build a new home. After 31 years at UDOT and because of his frugality, he was able to retire at the age of 49.

Before and after his retirement, Jerry was liberal and generous with his talents. He, almost always with Laurel as his assistant, helped his children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends and neighbors with home remodeling and construction, auto repair, yard work and so much more. He often returned from work and then worked until bedtime on such projects. Most of those he helped need only look around their homes and yards to find a remembrance of Jerry there. In addition, he took great pride in the beauty of his own home, yard and car and always made sure that they looked just right when anyone came to visit (and even when they didn’t!).

Jerry had several hobbies and passions. He loved to golf at least weekly in the summer. He formed great friendships with the people with whom he played, both early in his life and after retirement. He also was an excellent fly fisherman and enjoyed spending time with family in outdoor settings. In Montana, he usually had the highest daily count of fish caught, even when he had to take time to teach and help Don. He also was a music fan, especially of country music, and could almost always tell you the name of songs and artists.

Perhaps most of all, Jerry was a family man through and through. He loved spending time with his parents, his siblings and their families, his children, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He always enjoyed teasing the children and often caught them in the “grandpa trap.” He was a faithful and devoted father and almost always had Laurel at his side. They were best friends, work partners, sweethearts, devoted parents and so much more, and on their 50^th wedding anniversary were sealed to each other and their children for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Jerry was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he accepted many assignments and various church callings. He was the Stake Financial Clerk for twenty years and was a very faithful and dedicated minister to those he was asked to serve.

As exemplified by his generosity helping others, Jerry had a kind heart and seemed to get along with just about everyone. He always reserved judgment of new acquaintances, even when others gave him reason not to. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh, including at the jokes of his children and grandchildren. We are confident that he continues to help others and is doing so with a smiling face and heart. Even so, we will miss him greatly and we look forward to a sweet reunion with him when our days are done.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Laurel; his children Don (Megan) and Bonnie (Roger) Penrose; his siblings Marie (Arnett) Scow, Suzanne (Alfred) White, Jim (Sandy) Cindy Walker and Kaylynn Wardell; his eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alden and Shirley (Strong) and his brother Bill.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 11th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 4252 South Bennion Rd.

The service may also be viewed electronically using the link provided:

https://zoom.us/j/97707300302.

A viewing will be held prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at the West Jordan City Cemetery, located at 7800 South 1300 West. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.