Timothy Dean Benedict

Timothy Dean Benedict completed his time on earth September 3, 2018, while serving his second full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Estonia, due to complications with leukemia.  He was born to Donna King Patterson and Roland Dean Benedict on July 27, 1948 the first of their 7 children. Tim set a great example to his younger siblings of kindness, charity, and compassion. He was a close friend, advisor, and supporter as they grew to adulthood.  

Tim was raised and attended schools in Pocatello, Idaho where he met and developed a friendship and then deep love with a beautiful girl named Kay Burton.  Tim and Kay graduated from Highland High School in 1966. After graduation, Kay supported Tim in his decision to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ.  He was called to the Germany mission in 1968. This mission was a defining experience for Tim, and his service there shaped the way he lived the rest of his life.

Tim returned home from his mission in 1970 and quickly married his sweetheart Kay on August 8, 1970, in the Idaho Falls temple. Over the course of next 14 years they welcomed 8 children into their family, 4 boys and 4 girls.  Family was the source of Tim and Kay’s greatest happiness. Tim’s favorite roles in life were husband, father, brother, son, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He always gave a listening ear and a supporting hand to his wife, children, and grandchildren. No matter the hour, his family always took precedence.

Tim was a BYU alumnus, with a Bachelor’s degree in Math and Physics Education and a Master’s degree in Communication.  He was always a student at heart, he studied and taught Hebrew and also studied other languages with his wife, as well as reading anything he could about history and religions of the world.   He was a true-blue Cougar fan and was always passionate about BYU sports and loved to cheer the Cougars on to victory.

At a young age, he chose to be a student of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and carried this passion into his profession.  Tim taught at Hillcrest, Rockland, and Aberdeen seminaries as well as at Sandy and UVU Institutes of Religion for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   He also served on the church curriculum committee for the George Albert Smith manual.  He was the coordinator of the Northern Utah Valley Area. One of his gifts, was to make the scriptures real in the lives of his students.    Many of his students have expressed admiration and appreciation for Tim’s knowledge and love of the scriptures and the testimony of Jesus Christ he helped them gain.

Upon his retirement in 2012, he and Kay had the intention to serve a full-time mission for the church.  Prior to submitting their papers however, their stake president asked them to delay their mission and to accept a call as bishop of their ward in West Valley.  Tim faithfully served in that calling with Kay by his side, through June of 2017. Immediately after his release as bishop, they were called as missionaries to the Baltic mission in Estonia.  They began their mission in November that same year excited about their assignment of working with the young adults and the church education system. Their 2-year mission ended abruptly with Tim’s sudden passing. Even though his death was unexpected the family takes comfort in knowing he was where he wanted to be, serving the Lord on a mission with his sweetheart by his side.

Tim is survived by his wife Kay, his parents, Donna and Archie Patterson, and his 8 children; Timothy Benedict (Naomi), Lisa Farmer (Daniel), Rebecca Wharton (Sean), David Benedict (Laura), Elonna Owens (John), Larene Rocha (James), Thomas Benedict (Jessica), and Joseph Benedict (Dianna).  Tim is also survived by 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 47 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a large extended family of brother and sister-in-laws as well as nieces and nephews. Tim was preceded in death by his father, Roland Dean Benedict, and one grandson, Matthew Benedict.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Hunter 20th LDS Ward Chapel, 7035 West Loch Ness Avenue, West Valley City, Utah. Family and friends may call on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church and again on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Sandy City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.russonmortuary.com