Tom Canyon
Tom Canyon
1938 – 2023
Tom Canyon, Navajo clan Kinyaa’a’anii in Cameron, Arizona. He was the eldest son of Elwood and Jean Canyon of Cameron, Arizona. Being the oldest brought great responsibility his father worked hard leaving Tom to grow up at a young age. He assisted his mother in daily chores, Sheep, and cattle herding and yes, baby-sitting. He would later teach his children the importance of taking care of your family and being strong willed in day to day life.
As he grew in age, he wanted to grow in knowledge he attended the BIA boarding school in Brigham City, Utah where he earned his certificate of auto mechanics. During that time, he met his beloved wife Lucy Doctor and started an amazing family. He then became a father and was blessed with 5 children Janet, Peter, Adaline, Gwen, and Sheila.
He worked as an auto mechanic at the Palmer Ford Dealership in Blanding Utah for 5 years. He then continued his journey to provide a living in Riverton Utah and worked at Riverton Chevy/Oldsmobile. He worked there for 15 years, after leaving Riverton he continued working for Ken Garff dealership in SLC Utah for 5 more years before retiring. He enjoyed working on various vehicles, but Ford was his overall favorite. Tom was smart, skilled and was a great asset in the work environment.
Tom enjoyed being outdoors being self-taught and willing to learn whether it was just him or his family. Tom was skilled in hunting, camping and relying on himself to learn more and more in the wilderness. He was deeply moved by the world around him and found respect and depth in the mountains and his mother earth. He talked much about the world around him and how we all should try our hardest to be the best versions of ourselves something even with age he preached with love and compassion.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Lucy, Son Peter, daughter Adaline (Todd) of Texas, daughter Gwen (Wade) of New Mexico and daughter Sheila of Idaho. He also has 3 granddaughters, Tori (Erik), Hayden and Tianna. Two great granddaughters Emelia and Evelyn and a great grandson on the way. He leaves behind his brother Paul and Daniel. Sisters Lena, Marie, Elise, Sadie, and Kathy. He is preceded in death by his daughter Janet, his brother Sam, and his sister Donna all which he loved and know he is grateful to see again.
Graveside services for Tom will take place, Friday, June 9, 2023, at 11:00 am in Blanding City Cemetery, 500 North Grayson Parkway, Blanding, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Friday, June 9, 2023, one hour prior to graveside service at the Blanding 5th Ward Relief Society Room, 205 East 200 North, Blanding, Utah. Interment to follow.
To all those who served our family and grandpa in his final days we are blessed with your compassion. The amazing IHC Hospice team, his caregiver/granddaughter Hayden. We are blessed with your service and amazing kindness. The countless other thoughtful messages and texts we received, we thank you all so much for the support for not just our amazing dad, husband, and grandpa but for the family he loved deeply. With our deepest regards we say thank you for the way you have reached into our lives and been able to show sympathy and compassion. We know these blessed words and prayers came from far and wide showing the great depth of love you hold for Tom and his family. He will forever live on in our heart’s thoughts.
As Tom would always say in reference to his favorite John Wayne movie “The Cowboys” “We’re burning daylight!”