Earl John Talbot of West Point, Utah returned to his Heavenly Father on the morning of June 3, 2023 in the arms of his loving wife Marygail after his second battle with cancer.
Earl was born on January 26, 1954 in Ogden, Utah. He is the eldest of the three children born to Dale Earl and Vera Dye Talbot.
Earl is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent his entire life serving others in many capacities within his church and community. Although he relished every opportunity to serve, two of his favorite callings were daycare and Special Needs Mutual with his wife, Marygail.
Earl was called and served in the Alaska/British Columbia-Yukon Mission from 1973 to 1975. During his mission, he spent much time in the home of ward mission leader Bruce Robinson. After his mission, he hooked up with Marygail Robinson when she left for Rick’s College. They fell in love and were sealed for time and eternity in the Ogden LDS Temple on July 18, 1975. Together they raised three children. Those children and their eternal companions blessed us with our ‘Sweet 16’ grandchildren.
Earl spent most of his working career as a journeyman steam welder/fitter. His work includes the Alaskan pipeline. When the economy turned, he went to work selling cars with Young Automotive Group, where he became a trusted dealer for regular customers. His traditional job ended with his first cancer diagnosis.
Earl was an inspiration to every life he touched. He never met anyone he couldn’t befriend and no matter where he went, he was recognized and approached by those who knew and loved him.
One of the great joys of his life was being Santa’s little helper. He helped bring the magic to countless children and adults while making sure Christmas was never “just about the stuff.”
He is one of the few survivors of pancreatic cancer after being aggressively diagnosed and treated in 1999 using the Whipple procedure. He Struck the A$$ of cancer and fought hard, determined to become a grandfather! He always told us how he asked God to let him stay long enough to see a grandson. That wish was granted 16 times. The influence he has had on those grandchildren will remain with them throughout his life.
Surviving cancer made Marygail and Earl more committed to spending as much time as possible together making memories. They worked on projects, traveled, hung out, prayed, and did everything possible together.
Not being able to work in a traditional sense, he rediscovered his love of leather work which kindled like a scout pup. His trade led him to join the Collective of Local Artisans shortly after its founding. People all over the world are the proud owners of Earl’s Handcrafted Leatherwork. Truly the gifts from him created for his family gave him the deepest joy.
He lived cancer free until he was diagnosed with liver cancer in the spring of 2022. He put up another brave fight surrounded by his loving family. Living as a cancer survivor was not easy, but he taught us all how to enjoy every moment and continues to be an example of positivity, optimism and never complaining as he reassures and comforts those around him.
Earl is survived by his beautiful wife Marygail, 48, their three children Quinn (Amy) of West Point, Justin (Katie) of Mountain Green, Jake (Sarah) of Smithfield, 16 grandchildren Sydnie, Grace, Abby (Scott), Rhett, Audrey, Gage, Cache, Savannah, Izzy, Nora, Blake, Olivia, Lily, Luke, Derek, Sam; his sister Diane Westergard and his brother Bruce Talbot.
Preceded in death by Dale and Vera Talbot, Bruce and Darlene Robinson, Len Westergard and Carol Robinson.
Thank you to her longtime primary care physician, Cory Ferguson, her oncology team, Dr. Michael Hessenauer and Dr. Eric Johnson, and their compassionate staff.
The Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM. (550 north 2300 west, West Point, Utah)
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