Lark L Washburn


February 21, 1923 ~ August 11, 2014
Lark L Washburn passed away peacefully on August 11, 2014 from causes incident to old age, at home with his wife, Arlea, and his children by his side.
Lark was born on February 21, 1923 in Blanding, UT to Alvin LaVell and Wasel Black Washburn. He was the oldest son of ten children.
His father died of cancer when Lark was only 18 years-old, so as a young man he accepted the responsibility of his family. And he always went above and beyond the call for his family.
In 1943, he was inducted into the Army as a paratrooper during World War II, where he served honorably and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Upon returning from the war, he married the love of his life, Arlea Walker. They were blessed with seven children.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions, including Branch President, Stake President and Patriarch.
He was awarded the Silver Beaver for his service to the Boy Scouts and served as president of the Western Colorado Council of Boy Scouts of America.
He and Arlea served three missions for the church. The first was in the Seville Spain Mission. They were the first LDS missionaries in Uganda, Africa for their second mission. Their third mission was in the Fiji Suva Mission.
Lark was a uranium mining contractor for 40 years. He owned and leased mines in Utah and Colorado. He was very hard working and very successful.
He was a generous and exceptionally kind employer. He also owned several trading posts on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and New Mexico.
He enjoyed building homes, collecting antiques, raising and showing Appaloosa horses, traveling to Mexico with his family, flying a Cessna airplane, playing cards, and work projects. His kids and grandkids know he always had a work project!
In his later life, Lark enjoyed building red rock arches with his family and making and donating quilts with his wife.
In the last three years of his life, they made and donated 234 quilts. Most were donated to Primary Children’s Hospital and the LDS Humanitarian Services.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Arlea Walker Washburn of Holladay, UT; children Penelope (Duane) Hanberg of Vernal, UT; Mike L (Debra) Washburn of Salt Lake City, UT; Paula Hill of Mesa, AZ; Peggy (Russell) McVea of Salt Lake City, UT; and Stephen Lark Washburn of Murray, UT.
He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is survived by four siblings.
He is preceded in death by two sons, J Ballard and Guy Kelly; parents; five siblings; and one grandson.
He was buried in his hometown of Blanding UT, on Monday, August 18, 2014.