Edgar Hale Jeffery, age 85, returned to his Father in Heaven, October 16, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. He was born March 22, 1928 in Delta, Utah to Edgar Wallace and Nancy Ethel Hale Jeffery. He married Laura Wyora Hunter on November 23, 1949 in the Manti Temple. She preceded him in death, July 5, 1988. He then married Joy Basinger Ford on January 20, 1990 in the Manti Temple.
Hale grew up in Delta and spent his entire life there. His early years were spent helping his father on the family farm, which started his love of tractors. When attending Delta High School he worked at the International Dealership as a mechanic, later he was part owner of the same dealership. He farmed and ran a dairy farm. He said he had a good life doing what he wanted to do, working on equipment and running equipment and doing what every boy wants to do, being a fireman. He was a faithful volunteer Fireman in Delta for 48 Years and was an active fireman to the end of his life. He owned and operated his own business, “Hale’s Excavating and Hauling”.
He was an active member of the LDS Church. Hale was a faithful temple ordinance worker for many years with his wife, Joy, where they had many loving friends.
Hale’s greatest joy was his family. Anyone that knew Hale knew he enjoyed teasing and tickling his children, grandchildren and any of their friends that would come to the house. Every child and grandchild has memories of being lifted in the tractor loader and being “almost” dumped out. Dump trucks became slippery slides and equipment became carnival rides.
Hale was an avid collector of antique tractors, train sets; erector sets (which two of his most recent projects received blue ribbons at the county fair this year) toy tractors, toy trucks, and antique tools. He had over one hundred and forty antique tractors his favorites were a 1916 International Titan and 1917 International Mogul. He also had a 1910 wooden Avery Yellow Kid thresher. He loved tractor pulling and won many ribbons. His 660 Farmall tractor was never beaten. His toy trains included all sizes from N scale to G scale. He built a miniature Midway from erector sets, including a Ferris wheel, Merry-go-round, Parachute Jump and many more.
He was preceded in death by his first wife: Wyora; son: Randall; parents, brother: Ross and sister: Clara Poulson. He is survived by his wife: Joy; son: KJ (Leslie) Jeffery, St. George, Utah; daughter: Lauretta (Pat) Swansborough, St. George, Utah; daughter: Margene (Sam) Stevens, Hinckley, Utah; daughter: Annette (Mike) Reese, Cedar City, Utah; son: Gordon (Mary) Jeffery, Polk, Ohio; 76 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren, brothers: Karl, Alfred and Albert; sisters: Rose Jones and Rachel Leany.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 11:00 AM, at the Deseret-Oasis LDS Chapel. Viewings will be held Friday evening, 7-8 PM, at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 S. Center St; and Saturday morning at the church, 9:30-10:40 AM. Burial in the Delta Cemetery.