Mike Bell

   

Michael (Mike) Douglas Bell of Sandy, Utah, devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps – 1st Force Recon, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 10, 2025, at the age of 78, after a brief battle with gastroesophageal cancer. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death and will greatly miss him. Michael was born on January 8, 1947.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, George and Geneva; sisters, Elizabeth (Clyde) Haslam, Donna (Dean) Johnson, Joan (Bill) Neinke; and brother, Ronald, and many friends and brothers in arms.

Mike is survived by his wife Leslie (Werner) of 54 years; and their children, Addam (Jennifer), and Aimee (Jason) McDaniel. Forever cherished and remembered by his seven grandchildren, Shawn, Dimitri, Annabella, Jackson, Sophie, William, Pepper, his many nieces and nephews, as well as lifelong friends Lynn Clark, Jerry Maroney, Jerry Westenskow, Bill Woodier, David “Stick” Nelson, and David “Gertie” Gugich, and many others.

During his senior year at Bountiful High School, he also attended TradeTech (which is now Salt Lake Community College) and worked at night at Litton Industries making guidance systems for military aircraft. After his graduation in 1965, Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps, having always wanted to be a Marine and serve his country. While he ultimately went to Radio School, he had first attended Flight School and never lost his love of flying.

While in Radio School, Mike volunteered for Force Recon and was assigned to the 1st Recon Battalion upon graduating. He served in Vietnam from 1966 – 1967 with a Top-Secret clearance. During his time in Vietnam he participated in seven different Operations, performed 36 documented long range combat reconnaissance patrols and an additional 18 undocumented ones, as he was often asked for by name due to his expertise and skills. He received numerous awards and medals, was wounded multiple times, and took over 200 hours of Marine Corps Institute (MCI) courses before being honorably discharged in 1971.

After the Marines, Mike worked nights at Albertson’s, where he met his wife (he really liked her mini skirt). He married her seven months later on February 11, 1971. She convinced him to go back to school and he attended Weber State University and graduated with Honors as a machinist and later received a degree with Honors in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.

Some of his greatest joys came from spending time with his family and his cats. He loved traveling to Air/Car Shows, Marine Corps reunions, or anywhere his wife wanted to on vacation. Those who knew Mike will remember him for his outgoing personality, joyful storytelling, incredible generosity, infectious smile, and roaring laugh. He was always the mother hen and was quick to reach out and check up on those he loved – which included a regular “nose count” of his cats at least once a day. He loved to be needed and was quick to serve and give of his time, talents and money.

He took an active role in the lives of his children, their friends and spouses, and his grandchildren by celebrating their accomplishments and teaching them important life skills or sharing advice. He was extremely proud when his son Addam followed in his footsteps and joined the Marine Corps and even taught his daughter-in-law how to weld a stinger they designed together for her Jeep.

Mike had many interests throughout his life and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, often spending his spare time researching topics of interest, reading books, designing and/or building things like a Cobra sports car, an airplane and helicopter parts, and many other projects, including some with his various jobs which were, at times, top secret. He had a lifelong love of music and regretted never learning to read music and when he lost his ability to sing late in life.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held in his honor at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12:30 PM. and a Celebration of Life afterwards (details to be provided day of).

Randy Moon

 

Randy Glen Moon

December 24, 1946 — May 1, 2025

Bountiful

Randy passed away peacefully at his home in Bountiful, Utah on May 1st, 2025, after having lived for several years with Lewy Body Dementia.

He was born December 24, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Glen Leonard Moon and Geraldine Austin Moon. He married Susan Butler, February 11, 1972, later meeting and marrying Debra Davis Crane on December 20, 2005.

Randy graduated from Bountiful High in 1965. He received his Bachelor of Science (1969) and his Master of Science (1973) from the University of Utah. He then earned his PhD in genetics (1977) from the University of Hawaii.

Randy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in the Bishopric and taught gospel doctrine classes.

Randy worked as a scientist at Research Park while teaching genetics at the University of Utah. Later, he worked for the State of Utah for several Governors as their Science Advisor and was involved in many Utah issues. He worked in Human Services for the State of Utah, while also teaching as an adjunct science professor at Salt Lake Community College. He finished his career working full time as a SLCC professor teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Randy was an exceptional teacher making it fun and easier to learn with his teaching style and sense of humor. He loved the students and took an interest in them personally, always learning everyone's names. Randy would say that he loved people and so wherever he went he'd strike up a conversation with someone and then introduce them to his wife as "meet my new friend" telling her their name and something about his new friend. Randy was known for his fun, subtle sense of humor that he inherited from his father and passed down to his boys.

Randy and wife Debra loved to travel and spent over 15 years in seeing the world and visiting many different countries and cultures via ocean and river cruises and land tours. Randy loved hunting and drew four out of the five "Once in a Lifetime" tag permits in Utah. Their beautiful taxidermy heads are mounted on their walls to prove it. In New Zealand he accomplished getting his trophy stag and other unique animals. Still, his favorite place to visit was Alaska where he loved the fishing.

We all know that God has a sense of humor, and he knew how much Randy lived for hunting.  So last October, while Randy was still able to get around with assistance and mentally aware, "Eastmans' Hunting Journal", with around 43,000 subscribers, drew Randy's name for one of their all-expense-paid "Once-in-a-Lifetime Hunt" at the Hill Ranch in Colorado.  This either had to be a sad joke or a gift.  Randy and wife, Debra, took it as a gift and went for five days on their last amazing adventure.  Randy proved to still be that exact sharpshooter and bagged another trophy elk.  Much appreciation to Ike Eastman and crew.

"Dad, thank you so much for instilling in your kids a sense of adventure. You taught us so much about the world around us including, taking photographs, picking up rocks, and identifying wildlife. You put in the hard work in order for us to travel, explore, and see the world. You were such a wonderful example of a father for us with our own children. You loved and enjoyed your grandchildren so much and they loved their "Papa." You taught us to love life, nature, and the holidays. We will miss you so much."

Randy is survived by his wife, Debra, and ex-wife, Susan, sons: Nathan (Emily), Ryan (Shannon), Chris (Jessica).  Daughters: Natalie (Lance), Emilee and seven grandchildren: Ethan, Elizabeth, Jaycie, McKenna, Brooklyn, Jackson & Mitchell Moon.

Preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Gerry and brothers, Jerry and Kent.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held from 10:30-11:15 AM prior to services.

Interment will follow at the Bountiful Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the cemetery.

Special thanks to Utah Home Health & Hospice.  Gratitude to Season Farrer, RN, not only for her stellar care of Randy, but her sense of humor that brightened both our days.  Also, Dallin Taylor for his sensitivity in Randy's personal care.