Ferrel Dean Atwood, husband, father, grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020, peacefully at his home in Huntington, Utah, due to heart disease.
On November 20, 1933, he was born to William Dean and Mary Azelia Atwood in Elmo on the family farm where he lived until he married his Cleveland sweetheart, Sally Ruth Nelson, on January 20, 1951. Ferrel and Sally had five children together, and those children blessed them with 18 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Ferrel and Sally traveled the west as he pursued his career as an X-ray and lab technician living in Washington, California, and Utah. An accident where he injured his leg forced him to change careers, and Ferrel returned to Emery County and began a career in coal mining at The Deer Creek Mine in Huntington, UT. He was a lifelong UMWA member and ended his career as a Surface Boss at Deer Creek. After leaving Deer Creek, Ferrel followed his passion as a quality cabinet maker.
Ferrel and Sally separated and divorced. He later married Tina Valdez Garcia in 1982 in Huntington, Utah. Tina had two daughters, Jackie and Alane. They blended well with the Atwood kids, Mike, Kathi, Gayle, Rusty, and David. Ferrel and Tina were happily married until her death in 2001.
Ferrel and Sally reconnected in 2003 and were still together at the time of his passing.
Argyle Canyon in Duchesne County was his heaven on earth. He spent many summers camping and hunting there with his family. In 1981, Ferrel and his kids decided to make Argyle a family oasis for generations to come. The Atwood family made many fond family memories in Argyle Canyon, from family-themed parties to weddings and countless other cherished activities. Ferrel was an avid four-wheeler and was a member of the Castle Country OHV club. He spent countless hours guiding trails and loved every minute of it. He could always be found with one of his sidekick dogs Suzy, Curly, and Tiny.
Ferrel was always willing to take the time to teach those around him. He was a great teacher and very patient. He also had an answer for just about everything! Ferrel especially loved teaching in his woodshop while working on projects. He had a great love for Louis L’Amour books, the Colorado Rockies, the Utah Jazz, and most of all, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Sally; five children, Mike, Kathi, Gayle (Craig) Mecham, Rusty (Susan) and David (Polly); two stepdaughters, Jackie (Gary) Arrington and Alane (Mark) Moats; sister, Dorene Horrocks; 18 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Tina; parents, Dean and Azelia; two brothers, Ronald and Delroy; sister-in-law, Lynda; and brother-in-law, Garold.
Ferrel will be cremated. When the snow is gone and the roads are dry, he will be buried on the family land in Argyle Canyon, where we will have a celebration of his life. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.