Coping with Grief
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“Ok, watch for me dear Lord, I’m coming! I’m ready for the eternal life You promised. I have believed, although this was a part that was not easy, your continuous help and answers to my solemn prayers continued to bring me along. While I was here You blessed me with a great companion and family. I experienced many different occupations, some in service and others for dough. None I enjoyed more than teaching others.” – Lewis Thorpe
“Lew” Thorpe was born on March 8, 1939, to William Lynn Thorpe and Glaya Hall Thorpe in Malad City, Idaho. In his early life they moved to Ogden and then to Southern California. He would return to Utah to spend his summers with his grandparents in Ogden and Garland. He graduated from Ogden High School, B.S. from Weber State College, and graduate degree from Utah State. He served a LDS mission in Toronto, Canada. He married the girl next door, Sharon Simpson in 1961. They shared 62 years together and created a loving family in South Ogden where he served as a planning commissioner, recreation director and City Councilman. Lew had many successful careers. He was a teacher and a coach, where he influenced many young people.
In addition, he was a successful business owner. Lew was active in his community and made many friends and enjoyed sharing his perspective on life. His civic activities included Jaycees (local and state offices), Rotary club, Weber State Alumni Board and Wasatch Front Little League football. After retirement he enjoyed his horses, flying, grandkids, Weber State Athletics and traveling (Lake Powell being his favorite destination).
Lew went on to his promised eternal life surrounded by family in his home on April 17, 2023.
He is watching over his wife, Sharon Thorpe; their three children, Bret (Patricia) Thorpe, Shane (Angela) Thorpe, and Jennifer Byrd; their 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brother, William (Kathie) Thorpe; and sister, Deborah Marquardt.
We will be celebrating the life of our beloved husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, uncle and friend on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Myers Mortuary, 250 N Fairfield Rd, Layton, Utah. Family and friends may gather prior to services at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 South Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your local athletic programs in honor of our favorite Coach.
A heartfelt thanks to all the family and friends that have loved and supported us on Lew’s journey the last few years, he was patient and didn’t complain as his health kept declining.
We didn’t know until late February that Cervical Spinal Stenosis (which occurs when the vertebrae located in the neck narrows significantly enough to compress the nerve roots of the spinal cord) was causing his mobility issues. We thought that not being able to feel at the knees and below was a result of his diabetes, which had declined to stage 4. We put a stair chair in our home October 2020 and he had to use a walker, which became increasingly difficult. He broke his hip in November, he was in rehab at Stonehedge, the hip healed nicely and he was just starting to move along with a walker when the stenosis closed the message to his legs, also the symptoms progressed to his upper body. He left Stonehedge February 28th.
The recommendation was Lew remain in long term care, we did not want that. We are so blessed with children that did everything necessary to make our home accessible and comfortable to bring Lew home, we are doubly blessed that Jenn is a nurse and has taken Family Medical Leave from her position in Kentucky to be here when we have needed her the most.
Another wonderful blessing was Susie and Sierra, the most loving, compassionate care givers ever. They were here days from March 1st – April 17th.
We are so thankful that you are here to celebrate Lew’s life, we have been blessed with wonderful family, friends and great experiences.
Love, Sharon (Mom, grandma, GiGi)
PS: Thank you Linda Webber for sharing your musical talent with us. Thank you Jenn and Jessica for the countless hours you have spent since Monday putting together the video of Lew’s life. Love always.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lewis LaMar Thorpe, please visit our floral store.