Dennis Ray Eden's Obituary
Dennis Ray Eden, 68 years old, lost his battle with esophageal cancer on April 21, 2017 while in the loving care of his family. He was born on February 16, 1949 in the car a half a mile west of Redwood road on North Temple while his parents were traveling from Erda, Utah to the nearest hospital in Salt Lake City. Mrs. Eden timidly disclosed to her husband that, “we will never make it” then promptly presented him with Dennis. He was so anxious to get here that he just couldn't wait for a hospital room. He was born to Elsie Arthella (Blackburn) Eden and Joseph William Eden Jr. on that day.
He grew up in Erda, Utah with 11 siblings in a small home. He delighted in time spent with his siblings and friends on many countless adventures in the hills and sprawling area surrounding his home camping, cave hunting and so much more. When Dennis was 11 months old there was a fire in his home. He, his sisters Peggy and Dorian were in the house. His mom and dad heroically braved the fire to rescue them. He and both his mom and dad suffered second degree burns from this accident.
He always worked hard and saved money. He once wrote, “Since I was a young boy growing up in abject poverty I worked hard and long days so I could buy some small and insignificant toy or a soda pop with the rest of the kids I would sometimes play with. As a child I saved pennnies and even nickels just to have money available when I needed it, only to have a neighbor kid steal it and I had to start again.” The principle of saving money is something he taught all of his children, along with the importance of paying off debt and maintaining good credit.
After graduating from Tooele High School, Dennis began working at the Union pacific Railroad painting bridges. When he was 19 years old he was drafted to the army and served his country proudly and honorably in Vietnam where he was then injured by a mortar bomb and was sent home with a purple heart. Some of the shrapnel was so deeply imbedded in his chest that he carried it till the day he died.
After returning from Vietnam he returned to work at Union Pacific where he diligently studied to become and Locomotive Engineer, which he accomplished and worked hard to successfully do for nearly 30 years.
In those years he was married 3 times and was actively involved in raising and supporting 14 children. Out of those 14 children only 1 was biologically his, but Dennis loved each and every one of them and never thought twice about doing anything and everything they ever stood in need of. His true love and devotion really shined through with his grandchildren. The ones he had the greatest time and impact on were Dakota, Desirae, Marcus, Mallakai, Jace and his “cherry blossom” MiaBella, even though he was privileged with over 20 grandchildren. These grandchildren were his main love and concern, always ensuring their wants and needs were met.
After his retirement he always kept working, finding projects and using his amazing creative talents in so many ways. He absolutely loved his motorcycles and sold leathers, which earned him the nickname “The Leather Man”. He loved his garden and if he wasn't working in it, he was relaxing by the pond he built in it while he enjoyed the soft sounds of the wind chimes. After he got sick he rapidly declined in health, but this never brought him down. He was always so strong and brave and fought to the very end. He would always say, “I am from good stock”. Dennis was such an amzing and wonderful man. He was a good friend to all he knew. He had no guile in his heart and was a true peacemaker. He always made peace when contention arose. He lost his vicious battle with cancer on April 21, 2017. We cannot express how much we will truly miss him and the sorrow felt with his passing.
Please join us in a celebration of his life Friday April 28, 2017 @ 2:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Warren Meetinghouse 856 N. 5900 W. Ogden, UT 84404
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