Udell Birch

Born March 15, 1935, died August 27, 2014 in Vernal, Utah, after battling Alzheimer's disease. He was 79 years old. He was born to Max Eldon Birch and Tina Fontella Allred in Provo, Utah. He grew up in Utahn on the Duchesne river. His early years were spent working with his father logging timber in the McAfee Basin and working at the family sawmill. He played basketball at Duchesne High School and after graduation, received a scholarship to play basketball at Snow College, where he was also recruited to the football team.

He married Billie Jean Brisbin on May 25, 1956. They had three children: Randy Birch, Kalynn Barton, and David Birch. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He married his eternal sweetheart, Virginia Granger on August 14, 1983, was sealed to her on November 25, 1989 and has spent 31 happy years with her.

He worked in Washington State for Boeing Airline in 1957. He returned to Utah in 1960 and was a foreman at Fetzers in Salt Lake City. There he supervised the building of fine finish cabinet work for many LDS temples.

He moved to Vernal in 1975, where he started his business, Udells Cabinets. Udell was a master craftsman. He worked with his sons in the cabinet shop and spent many years working alongside his son David.

He treasured his many years on the Uintah County Search and Rescue. He loved to go hunting, 4-wheeling, boating, water skiing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, building anything beautiful, spending time at Lake Powell on the houseboat, and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by His mother and father, brother Kent Birch, great grandson Ethan Emerick Quist. He is survived by his wife Virginia Granger Birch. His children: Randy (Aleena) Birch, Kalynn (Lloyd) Barton, David (Dena) Birch. Step Children: Vicki Price, Terri (Gary) Dimick, Karen (Glen) Harman, Enette Long, brother Don Birch (Altonah), sisters Maxine Panas and Colene Nelson (Duchesne), 31 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.

Services were held Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the Davis 2nd Ward LDS Chapel. Interment was at the Roosevelt cemetery under the direction of the Ashley Valley Funeral Home.