LaVell King

PRICE-Adron LaVell King, was born on Dec. 27, 1931 to Pansy Morell Wakefield and Adron V. King in Huntington, Utah. His parents later divorced and Morell married Rex Nelson, and together they raised LaVell in Huntington. LaVell passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, 2018 in Price, Utah after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
LaVell was a scholar-athlete at North Emery High School. He graduated as Co-Valedictorian in 1950, but also distinguished himself in basketball, baseball, track and was the marching band drum-major.
After high school, he enrolled at Carbon College where he participated in varsity basketball, baseball, and track. While at Carbon College, LaVell married his high school sweetheart Mayzell Mortensen from Cleveland, Utah. They were married on April 10, 1951 in the Manti Temple. They were looking forward to celebrating their 67th anniversary later this spring.
After LaVell graduated from Carbon College, he moved on to Brigham Young University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology and a Master’s Degree in Entomology. He later earned a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Utah. LaVell started his science teaching career at Box Elder and Orem High Schools. In 1962, he returned to his alma mater, Carbon College/College of Eastern Utah (CEU), as a Science Faculty member. He taught thousands of college students during his 36-year career and also served as Dean of Instruction at CEU.
LaVell loved to hunt, fish, play sports, especially golf, and spend time with his family. He was also a great artist and many of his beautiful paintings grace their home, a house that LaVell himself built.
LaVell served faithfully in many callings in the LDS Church including teacher, Branch President’s Counselor, High Councilor, Stake Executive Secretary, and twice as Bishop. He and Mayzell served together as missionaries in South Africa Durbin Mission and the LDS Church Family and Church History Mission. He has always been a faithful home teacher and despite his physical limitations, finished his home teaching this last month.
LaVell is survived by his wife, Mayzell; children, Michael (Jan), Bradley (Tami), Barid (Susan), and Lorilyn (Ron) Vogel; 17 grandchildren and 22 7/9 great grandchildren.
Despite his health challenges, he never lost his sense of humor and continued to make his family smile until the end.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Noon at the Price 5th Ward Chapel, 545 East 400 North, Price, Utah. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main, Price, Utah and from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Price 5th Ward Chapel the day of the service. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
The family would like to pay special thanks to Rocky Mountain Care, particularly Errin, Savannah, Melanie, Aimee, Audrey, Dezeray, Selene, Debbie, and Michael for their love and compassionate care. The family is also grateful for the excellent care given by Dr. Glenn T. Etzel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or the LaVell and Mayzell King Family Endowment at Utah State University Eastern.