Dennis Lamont Glassburn

On July 1, 1946, Dennis Lamont Glassburn drew his first breath in Salmon, Idaho, while his parents, Gardell Arden Glassburn and Ruby Davis, pondered the impact their son would have on this world. Sixty eight action-packed years later, on October 25, 2014, Dennis breathed his last on a beautiful fall morning in Holladay, Utah. What happened in between those two auspicious points in time is the story of Dennis Glassburn-and boy, did he love to tell a story. We'll share with you the Reader's Digest version.

From the time Dennis was a little boy, he was working. From brushing hair, to crushing rock; catching frogs and fish to scaling mountains and building airport runways and freeways, he viewed his purpose here as larger than life. He grew up surrounded by the beauty of the forest and lakes of Trinity Center and Redding California, where he developed a deep affection for hard work, nature and being outdoors.

As a young man, Dennis received his GED from Enterprise High School in 1964, and then went into the U.S. Military. He served in the army from 1966 – 1968 as a Tank Mechanic, Motor Sergeant, Instructor and Chief Dispatcher, and was discharged honorably.

Dennis was blessed with the ability to systematically build or repair anything. This served him well in his chosen profession-rock crushing and road building. He could operate and work on any piece of equipment he ran, but especially loved being on a dozer. He used heavy equipment like an artist uses a sculpting knife. His precision was immaculate and he took extreme pride in his work, always leaving a jobsite or project better than the way he found it.

He contracted with many companies throughout his career, and also had his own business, Glassburn Aggregates and owned Martin Sand & Gravel.
Some of the companies he worked with are listed below.
Fredrickson & Watson ~ Piombo Construction ~ O'Hair Construction ~ Tenney Construction Co. ~ D & J Equipment Co. ~ Cal Fon Construction ~ Crystal Creek Aggregates ~ & D Road Building & Rock Crushing ~ Brutoco Engineering ~ JW Mitchell ~ Castle and Cook ~ Santa Ana River Rock ~ Ball, Ball & Brosmer ~ Ben's Truck & Equipment ~ Sierra Pacific Industries ~ Harper Contracting Inc. ~ Arizona Construction Equipment ~ Baldwin Contracting.

Anyone who knew Dennis knew how much he loved to talk, and always had a story to tell. He was a collector and admirer of anything aggregate. Over the years he accumulated thousands of these "nature's treasures" and applied his own special touch to each. Dennis could look at a rock and point out its face, its history, and its value. The "best ones" he would often gift to those he loved most.

As Dennis matured in years, Alzheimer's took hold of his mind and began to blur his memories, but it did not claim his spirit. Dennis approached life with determination in his soul and a smile on his face, never curtailing his actions out of fear of what someone may think of him. He always spoke what he believed to be true, fought fiercely for what he thought was right, and helped whomever appeared to be in need. This was how he showed his love for others, and lived his life to its fullest extent.

Preceded in death by his parents, Gardell Glassburn and Ruby Davis Hathaway, and brothers: Arden Glassburn and Teddy (Theresa) Glassburn.

Survived by his wife: Jeannie Glassburn; son: Kevin Glassburn (Shiana); daughter: Kari Randall; stepchildren: Jason Forbush (Lori), Aimee Roberts (Jeremy), Scott Forbush, and Steven Forbush (Natalie); grandchildren: Tyler Glassburn; Trinati and Kameron Randall; Brock, Megan and Max Forbush; Emma, Calvin and Sophie Roberts; Caitlin, Grace, Adelaide and Spencer Forbush; and Bradley and Christian Forbush; brother: Jimmy Glassburn; and sister: Kathy Schnetzer.

A very special thanks with MUCH love to all the caring souls at the Veteran's Hospital on Foothill Drive who attended to Dennis while he was there. Their concern, kind-heartedness and compassion was felt from the beginning.

Thank you to Canyon Home Care & Hospice for their gentle and understanding aid, helping us thru this difficult time, and to Holladay Healthcare Center for their kind service during the last stage of his care.

A celebration of Dennis' life will be held Saturday, November 8th, 2014, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, SLC, UT 84106. Complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building.

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 18:2 ESV