Blaine Michael Yorgason

On October 8th 2024, Blaine Michael Yorgason finished his earthly mission and returned with honor to the waiting arms of his beloved mother, father and daughter Charity, along with so many others anxiously awaiting his return. Blaine was born December 6, 1942 in Mt Pleasant, Utah to John Gayle Yorgason and Clara Beatrice Copley. At the tender age of 8, Blaine's much loved mother passed away and a year later his father married Beatrice's sister Lucy, becoming a second loved mother to the family. Blaine was raised in Fountain Green Utah, Nephi Utah, and Provo Utah, graduating from Brigham Young High. Blaine served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the Northern States Mission. He graduated from Brigham Young University earning his Bachelors and later, a Masters degree. On September 2 1964, Blaine married the love of his life, Kathy Wagstaff. They resided in Rexburg Idaho, Salt Lake City, Orem/Provo, Highland, Riverton, St George, and Vernal Utah. She has been his life and his heart since then, especially in his later years as she has been his main caregiver. Blaine's love of the world around him was evidenced by his and Kathy's favorite past time- going on drives up the canyon to see the leaves, going to Pine Valley to escape the heat of St George, or just driving to visit their families. This is something Kathy will miss immensely. Blaine's love of storytelling and teaching, evolved from making up parables to teach his children, to Halloween scary story family home evenings, to an eventual career that began with a divinely inspired Seminary lesson taught to students in Rexburg. He taught there for 7 years. This lesson became the book Charlie's Monument which is still his most popular book. Blaine has many published works including Windwalker, All That Was Promised (A history of the St George Temple), and One Tattered Angel (Charity's story). Some of those books he co-authored with his brother Brenton, which brought him great joy. His books came to him in various ways such as dreams, family stories etc, but each came as a result of listening to the Spirit of God; this was important to Blaine. He always said he could take a story and make it better but he always made sure he was following that spirit when he wrote. Blaine's love of his Savior and His gospel permeated all he did in his life. From teaching Seminary, Religion at BYU, serving as a Bishop in Riverton, and serving as Assistant Temple Recorder in the St George Temple, to his most important roles of being a dad, brother, husband, grandfather, and son, he shared that love and testimony of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through his words and through the life he led. Whether reading his books, listening to him speak, or in his home with his family gathered around him, he has touched the lives of many and that influence will be felt for generations. Blaine is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathy and their children, Tami Bestenlehner (David), Nathan (Rachel), Steven (Elsha), Travis (Beki), Dan (Janae) and Michelle Nelson (Trent) with 28 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. His siblings Valerie Platt (Edward) and Greg (Kristine). He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Charity, brothers Gary (Teresa) and Brenton (Margaret), sisters Judy Ostermiller and Marilyn Elliston (Ron), and grandchildren Jaron and Camilla. His funeral services will be held Saturday October 19th at 1pm in the Fountain Green First ward with a viewing from 10am to 12:30pm the same day. Burial will be in the James Yorgason Pioneer Cemetery. Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. The family would like to thank all of the staff and caregivers at the Uintah Care Center for their kind and compassionate care of Blaine and the love they showed to him. We love you all because you loved him, and he knew it. In lieu of flowers Blaine's family requests that if so desired, you donate to the humanitarian fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the hurricane victims at http://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/