DeLoy S Fawson

Beloved Father • Grandfather • Brother • Uncle • Friend

DeLoy S. Fawson, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, crossed the finish line of this mortal race while at home with his daughter, Shantel, into the arms of his Savior on 25 July 2025, at the age of 96—nearly a century old. He enjoyed a life full of adventure, hard work, and family, and survived a stroke, two open-heart surgeries, multiple stents, back surgery, two hip replacements, and two knee surgeries. He is now at peace—embraced in eternal love and forever present as a guiding light.

Born on 10 March 1929 in Grantsville, Utah, DeLoy was the oldest of five children to Joshua “Lyman” and Nina Mae Sweat Fawson. He shares a birthday with two grandchildren (Zane and Kelcie-Anne Hardman) and a great-grandchild (Alex Burnett)—a fun sign of the legacy he leaves behind.

In his youth, DeLoy was quite an athlete. He made the winning touchdown against rival Tooele, ending years of losses and flipping Grantsville’s high school football script. He helped clinch state basketball championships in 1946 and 1947. He was a great athlete and passed those genetics to many of his posterity. He loved the Grantsville Sociable and attending all the youth dances, jitterbugging his way into the hearts of many.

Drafted into the Navy in 1950, DeLoy served honorably as a diesel mechanic until 1954. Part of that time was spent in Guam, a strategic military base crucial to logistical and administrative support for the U.S. during the Korean War. He loved when his friend came to drop logistics and bring him some good “chow.” He loved America, his comrades, and duty to his fellow citizens.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, DeLoy worked on many projects throughout Utah building bridges, served as a foreman under his brother, Arlo, assisted in building the Orem post office with one of his best friends, Ken, worked in local mines, and finished his working days “retired” as the manager for his brother Gary, who owned a well-kept trailer court in Grantsville.

DeLoy delighted in his family! He married three women who gave him his prized treasure: 11 children (6 biological, 5 by love), 34 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), 20 great-great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren. If we add in the additional children who call him “Dad,” add 14 more grandkids, 30 more great-grandkids, and 1 more great-great-grandkid. With them, he fished, hunted, gardened, and played Monopoly. He coached Rick and Craig’s ball teams, and he always made sure his kids had some money in their pocket and a safe place to land. He was always willing to put his kids first—through acts of service and financially, as best he could. He frequently visited each of his children until travel was too difficult. He was the best dad. He was consistent on the sidelines of his grandkids’ baseball and football games—everyone called him “Grandpa.”

DeLoy’s passions kept him going strong—physically, emotionally, and mentally—into his 90s. He was an avid reader, finishing a book every couple of days, which kept his mind sharp till his last day. His favorite author was Louis L’Amour; he loved western novels.He loved to garden and always kept up a good vegetable garden annually. Last year he relied heavily on his daughter, DeAnn, to keep up with it, but still pursued it—even at age 95.He loved to hunt and fish, involving his family and friends in the fun until age 93—his last hunt was with his daughter’s family, Lacy.His last big fishing trip was with his daughter’s family, Lorri, at Strawberry Reservoir.He was an avid golfer and won many tournaments, even scoring a hole-in-one on 14 February 2015, at age 86, while golfing with his grandson, Mike. His last golf game was with his grandson, Caleb, in 2023 at age 94.He followed the Utah Jazz, watched golf, and loved watching college football—even turning on the tube while visiting JoAnn.He enjoyed Wendover, playing the tables and slot machines, and his last visit was with his daughter’s family, Sue, in 2023.

DeLoy had a wonderful laugh and sense of humor, always finding a way to connect through teasing—even during his most trying times. He was kind even when others weren’t—an incredible example of what a father should be—and had a great balance of hard work and pursuing his passions. We are grateful to Shantel, her family, and all the family who took care of him in his last days. He had a joyous reunion with many family members and friends and will now continue to love and support his family and friends from the other side of the veil.

DeLoy is survived by his children: Craig (DeDee) Fawson, JoAnn Burnett, Susan (Jim) Goodrich, Lorri (Jeff) Wheeler, Lynn Deem, DeAnn Fawson, Sean Bell, Lacy (Ben) Hardman, and Shantel Sullivan; his 43 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great-grandkids, and 4 great-great-great-grandkids; his sisters: Sharlene May and Linda (Manuel “Jr”) Mondragon.He is preceded in death by his parents, Lyman and Nina Fawson; his sister, Doris Fawson; and brothers: Arlo (Kay) Fawson and Gary (Janet) Fawson; his children: Rick Fawson, Kim Reilly, and son-in-law Kevin Burnett; grandchildren: Natalie Burnett, Eric Fawson, Jacob Michael Fawson, Chad Fawson, and Dyllan Casper; and previous spouses: Dianne Viola Sherwood, Joyce Butler, and Sharon Lee Jones Fawson.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 PM to 4:30 PM on 10 August at the pavilion of Oquirrh Hills Golf Course, 1255 E. Vine St., Tooele, UT 84074. Those who are interested are welcome to stay and play 9 holes of golf or hit the driving range (Contact Shantel no later than 2 August to RSVP for nine holes of golf, $20) or mingle at the pavilion.

In honor of DeLoy’s resilient and energetic spirit, the family invites all who attend the services to wear their favorite jersey or athletic attire.

Please share your memories, stories, and messages of love and comfort on the following website: didericksenmemorial.com, so that all may find peace in his lasting light. DeLoy’s love lives on in every heart he touched.

To send plants (flowersforsally.com) to the family or plant a tree (Venmo $10 to @DeDe-Judd, last four: 1150, or click this link: https://account.venmo.com/u/DeDe-Judd) in memory of DeLoy.