Dee Ray Hollingshead, age 78, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Delta, Utah. Born on December 11, 1941, in Beaver, Utah, the fourth of six children, to Arshel Roberts and Roma Mae Robison Hollingshead. Growing up in Beaver he took an interest in electronics at a very young age. Teaching himself, he set up a radio station in his family’s shed at age 12. The signal would reach throughout Beaver. His friends would bring over their 45's, and his sister would take requests through their telephone. He graduated from Beaver High School, and while there excelled on the football team. After graduating, he joined the National Guard and left to train in Puerto Rico and Oklahoma. After returning from military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Leah Ruth Dalton, on July 7, 1961 in the St. George LDS Temple.
They began their life in Bountiful, Utah while he attended Technical School. They also began expanding their family with two children: Wade and Jan. His first technical job took him to California, but after a short time he was employed to work for AT&T in Delta, Utah. He made a life in Delta working nights for AT&T, opening his own electrical business on the side, and running the Millard County Translator Towers. He retired from AT&T in 1998.
Dee loved spending time outdoors, especially hiking in the Beaver mountains. When his legs wouldn’t carry him to the top of the mountain anymore, he started riding his four wheeler to keep exploring, but Dee never did take things the easy way. His time on his four wheeler is packed with drives of cliffs, rollovers, and broken bones.
Dee’s most important priority was his family. He loved to have his children and grandchildren join him on his adventures. He taught his family the value of work and a man’s duty to take care of the people you love. He was a deeply giving man, going out of his way to help out anyone he could. He will be remembered for his loyalty and the honest way he treated the people he worked for and with. His word was his bond. He will be remembered by many for his friendly personality and sense of humor.
Dee is survived by his wife of 58 years: Leah; children: Wade Dee Hollingshead and Jan (Michael) Van DeVanter, both of Delta; grandchildren: Tara (Kevyn) Grimes, Eden, Utah; Jacy James Edwards, Delta; Blade (Olivia) Dee Edwards, Provo; great-grandchildren: Kanyon Grimes, Madyson Raye Grimes; brother: Dell Hollingshead, Beaver; Jill (David) Bennion, Sandy. He is preceded in death by his siblings: LaVar, Jack and Sonia Hansen.
Funeral Service: Saturday, February 22, 11:00 am, at the Delta 4th Ward LDS Chapel, 197 South 300 West. Viewings: Friday, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 South Center St; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Interment in the Delta City Cemetery.
