Wilbur T Braithwaite

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Wilbur T Braithwaite, 83, of Manti, passed away peacefully at his home in Manti, Utah on Monday, April 12, 2010. He was born May 24, 1926, in Manti, to Charles G. and Eva Tuttle Braithwaite. He married Jane Anderson, in the Manti LDS Temple on July 18, 1952.
He had an enduring love for each member of his family and will be deeply missed by them. A veteran of WW II, he served in Company A of the 253rd Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations. He received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in a minefield near the border of France and Southern Germany.
After completing formal education at Snow College, Weber State College, Utah State University and the University of Michigan he returned home to Manti, married the former Jane Anderson, and began a long and successful career teaching and coaching tennis and basketball at Manti High School. He was widely recognized for his coaching expertise and in 2006 was honored by the National Federation of State High School Associations with the Award of Merit.
For many years he was the owner and proprietor of the Manti Grocery and was a proud member of Associated Grocers. He was an accomplished writer, musician and composer. In 2002 he proudly carried the Olympic Torch through Manti on its route from Greece to Salt Lake City. In his spare time he loved to fish and hunt and had a deep appreciation for this good earth.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he served in numerous callings and had an abiding testimony of the Savior. Most of all, he loved people and was always willing to serve them in any way possible.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, Manti; children, JoAnn Stebbing, Ephraim; Paul (Marian) Braithwaite, Brigham City; Susan Braithwaite, Manti; Carolyn (Lance) Nelson, Colo.; and Stephen (Kako) Braithwaite, Md.; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Alice Braithwaite, Cedar City.
He was preceded in death by two children, Burke and Janet Braithwaite; parents; siblings, Royden Braithwaite, Reed (Faye) Braithwaite, Burke Braithwaite, and Maureen Braithwaite.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 11 a.m. in the Manti LDS Tabernacle, 96 South Main, Manti. Friends called at the Wilbur Braithwaite Gymnasium (Manti High School) on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at the Manti Tabernacle on Saturday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. Burial was in the Manti City Cemetery with Military Rites by the Manti American Legion Post #31. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wilbur T Braithwaite Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to Manti High School, 100 W. 500 N., Manti, UT 84642, or South Sanpete School District, 39 S. Main, Manti, UT 84642.