DENZIL WASHINGTON KIRKHAM

Posted by Carolyn J. Christensen, greart niece of the above. 

DENZIL WASHINGTON KIRKHAM


Written by his Sister;Bessy LaVerne Kirkham Fillerup, March 21, 1972 North Hollywood, California

Denzil was born in Lehi, Utah, January 6, 1900, the seventh of the eight sons of George and Sarah Russon Kirkham. His childhood was a happy one, school in the old Grammar School House, advancing in his Priesthood in the Church, graduating from Lehi High School, popular and loved by his schoolmates.

Denzil was an exceptional young man, energetic, loving and kind to all, adored by all who knew him. Clean in habits, Denzil kept the Word of Wisdom and stayed close to the teachings of his beloved parents.

His sister, Bessy LaVerne says, t was him I grew up with, chummed with, went to school and danced with. Both of us played drums, he in Smuin Orchestra and High School Band and I in Lehi High School Ladies Band. I was proud of Denzil while he attended High School. He was popular in dramatics, in band and orchestra, sports manager of the basket ball team that was leader in Utah sports while he attended High School with them urging them on to victory always.

He was employed in the sugar beet fields in the summertime to help with his high school expenses. He was in the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Utah and had almost finished his training when the Armistice was signed, for World Ward I. At this time he was called to fill a mission to the Central States. His missionary companion, G. Byron Done, said of him that e was an exceptional missionary It is said he ate any a hot dog to help defray expenses so his father would have to worry about his mission costs. He attended the Brigham Young University one year after his mission, then he accepted a position with the Gebhardt Company located in Ephraim, Utah. He married Fern Alta Nielson of Ephraim, Utah, July 15, 1926 in the Logan Temple. In Ephraim his two children were born; Sally born July 30, 1929 and Ronald D. born 17 July 1932. The family lived in Ephraim for several years and then moved to Tremonton, Utah where Denzil was still connected with the Gebhardt Company, a general Merchandise Department Chain Store.

All through his life, Denzil was true to his Church and its teachings, was loved by all and remembered with love and admiration. He met an untimely death in an accident in Tremonton, December 23rd, 1945.



Children of Denzil Washington and Fern Alta Nielson Kirkham

Sally Kirkham

Donald Kirkham