Joseph Nicholas Rukavina, age 89, passed away suddenly March 14, 2016 after an ATV accident.
He was born February 12, 1927 in Spring Canyon, Utah to Nick and Mary Yengich Rukavina. Utah. Married LaDona Richmond, February 18, 1951 and they were constant companions prior to her passing in 2013.
Joe honorably served his country in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Shangri-La after graduating from Carbon High School. After returning from the armed forces he attended Carbon College where he played football.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing and especially his horses. He loved riding the mountains and participating with the Carbon County Sheriff’s Posse. Joe served as a member of the Civil Air Patrol where he spent many hours flying with Search and Rescue. He was a man of many trades who was the “Go-To” guy when you needed help with almost anything. Joe was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He worked at the mines in the surrounding area, the building trades, as a resident worker at the Utah Job Corp, and a member of the Utah Local and United Pipe Fitters Union and the United Mine Workers.
Joe loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially spending hours supporting and following their activities. He was an excellent story teller who reminisced fondly of his memories. Joe felt that he had accomplished everything he wanted to do in life. “We will miss you Daddy.”
Survived by his four children, Lynna (Lowell) Gray, Joe Rukavina, Jim (Lynnette) Rukavina, Kaye (Jerry) Cripps; 14 grandchildren, Ryan (Jackie) McCourt, Justin (Laska) McCourt, Kelly Marsing, Cody (Angie) Jensen, Casey (Heidi) Jensen, Jake (Jamie) Rukavina, Melissa (Gerald) Brundage, Raylee Rukavina, Nick Rukavina, Baylee Rukavina, Aubrey (Brian) Stoffer, Jason Taylor, Kelsey (Jamie) Cripps and Amanda (Ty) Alderson; 27 great grandchildren; two sisters and one brother, Kathryn (Kay) Rukavina, Josie Blanc and Mike Rukavina.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife, LaDona; daughter, Kathleen; brother, Nick Rukavina; sister, Mary Clear; and great-grandson, Brendon Young.
Funeral service, Tuesday, March 22, 2016, 11:00 a.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price. Family will receive friends at Mitchell’s Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and Tuesday one hour prior to service. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Joe online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net