Edward Gordon Shearer

EDWARD GORDON SHEARER

May 31, 1919 – December 25, 2011

Our beloved father peacefully left this life on Christmas night to be with his “Dottie”, his sweetheart for over 70 years. 

Ed was born May 31, 1919, to Arthur Peter Shearer and Helena Marie Larsen Shearer in Logan City, Utah. He was an only son with two sisters, Elsie (1914 – 1988) and Adeline (1924 – 1936.) The family moved to Salt Lake City, where he attended school. He was a junior at Granite High School when his father died in 1935. His formal education ceased so that he could work full time to help support his family.

Ed’s buddy Jack Ainsworth introduced him to Dorothy F. Kling in 1940 and it was love at first sight. They married November 28, 1941. They were sealed in the Jordan River Temple on September 28, 2001. On June 3, 1942, Ed was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Douglas. After Basic Training, he was sent to the University of Alabama to train as an anti-aircraft gunner. He served in the American theater, receiving the good conduct Victory Medal when he was honorably discharged in November 1945.

Ed attended the LDS Business College upon returning home and received his high school diploma. He worked for the U. S. Postal Service, retiring in 1975.

Ed and Dot made their home with their four children, dogs, cats, two horses, various chickens, ducks, an occasional turkey and a big garden in South Salt Lake.  The family enjoyed summers at their cabin, located east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake highway, that Dad and Mom built with the masonry skills of Grandpa Kling. Many lifelong friends were made there. When their family was raised, they moved to their home of 35 years in Midvale. After Ed and Dot retired they enjoyed life traveling in their trailer, visiting family and friends and seeing this beautiful country.

In 2007 Dot, his wife, passed away. Dad took loving care of her every need during her last few years and held her as she left this life. He has lived independently since her death, even sending birthday and Christmas cards to all his family and friends, until he was forced to slow down after a fall this past October.

He is survived by his children Susan (Bill) Wardle, Duchesne; Edward G. (Cris) Shearer, Kanab; Vonnie (Douglas V.) Wildfoerster, Salt Lake City; and J.D. Shearer, Winthrop, Wa.; seven granddaughters; and fourteen great-children. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; and two grandchildren Brin Wardle Turley and Jed Wardle.

Ed wished to extend a special thanks to his great friends and neighbors, Roger and Susan Kennard and Bob and Shauna Newman. He also wanted to extend a special thanks to the doctors who helped him live and see well for so long, Drs. Kottarathil, Moshirfar, and Zubair. The family thanks the special nurses and aides at The Residence of CareSource for their exceptionally tender care of Dad during the last days of his life.

A celebration of Ed Shearer’s life will be held Saturday, December 31, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Murray. Friends may visit the family there on Saturday from noon until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.