Hal R Burrows

Hal R Burrows, 85, of Springville, Utah, born October 7, 1935, to Lorin and Grace Bennett Burrows, died unexpectedly in his home August 7, 2021.

Hal was raised during the depression, when neighbors helped neighbors and you shared what you had. Hal continued this life of service and sharing all he had in word and deed. Hal was friends with so many, often showing up unannounced with his plentiful garden treats, salsa, and root beer barrel candies; you never left a visit with Hal without your hands full, his sweet giggle, and cute wave goodbye. Hal lived his life in the service of his family, friends, neighbors, church and community; but most of all, Hal lived to care for his wife of 63 years, Martha Irene Dickerson Burrows.

Hal was an avid sportsman, lettering in track, wrestling, and football. He also coached many champion basketball teams, with many of the young men going on to become coaches of university teams themselves. In 1954, Hal’s number was pulled for the Korean War draft, where luckily a friend informed him of his pending draft announcement, giving Hal the chance to quickly join his choice of service in The U.S. Navy Seabees. Hal trained and served in firefighting, heavy machinery, and construction in Alaska, Guam, and the Philippines. During his last station in Memphis, Tennessee, he fell in love at first sight with his eternal love, Martha. Hal told Martha that he was coming back to marry her the first chance he got, and on April 25, 1958, Hal and Martha were married; they were then sealed for time and all eternity on August 28, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Hal’s family and garden were his world, his heartbeat, his reason. He gave everything of himself, calling his family to gather around his table for Sunday dinner--“Well, what you see is what you get”-- piling fistfuls of candy in their pockets as they walked out the door. For 16 years, he spent his Thursdays buying gallons of milk from the BYU Creamery and delivering them to his children.

Hal attended Springville High School, Utah Technical College, and Brigham Young University, where he graduated with numerous degrees in Engineering and Building Code. He inspected many of the interstate highways in Utah, the 2002 Olympic venues, and helped build the LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Marriott Center, and the Provo Temple. As a past ICBO president and honorary lifetime member, there is not much in Utah that Hal has not inspected. Hal worked for BYU, Salem City, and Springville City. After retirement from civil service, he continued working with Christensen Brothers Construction, where he supervised the construction of many Nebo School District buildings. Despite several death threats over his red tags, he upheld the strict standards of the building code, which he knew to the letter; he always said there would never be a life lost under his protective eye.

Hal was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who loved and served as a faithful son to his Lord and Heavenly Father. He and Martha had the pleasure of serving in the Provo Tabernacle Mission together. Hal was always in tune with the Lord's promptings, knowing when there was a need, and there he would be. He always knew when his beloved wife was in need as well, even coming upon her car accident moments after it occurred, and directing drivers until police could arrive. Hal followed the teachings of the church with great humility and love. He was not a man to judge another, rather he would hold your hand, listen to your story, and tell you that you were perfect within our Lord's eyes.

Hal left this earth quickly and without even a moment to say goodbye. It is our honor, as his family, to have been given this man as our Husband, Daddy, and Paw. His life, example, and legacy will never be forgotten.

Hal is survived by his wife, Martha; daughters: Shirlyn (Corbin) Rose and Emily (Dirk) Wilkinson; sons: Joel Lorin and Brandon Hal; grandson, Anthony Luke; granddaughter, Danielle Luke; and grandchildren: Maya, Alyssa, Serenity “Ren”, Penelope, Parker, Katarina, Teancum, Marek, Chantele, Bret, and Cheyenne; great-grandchildren: Addalie, Brooklyn, Hallie, Aura, and Maverick; sister, Marilyn Shoell, and brother, Bruce (Cherie) Burrows. Hal was preceded in death by his twin daughters, Emily and Elizabeth; his parents, Lorin and Grace Burrows; and his big brother, Keith L Burrows.

Due to Martha’s health, the family humbly requests that masks be worn and social distancing guidelines be followed. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel, 555 S. 600 E. (Averett Ave.), Springville. Viewings will be held Thursday, August 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S., Springville; and Friday, August 13, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, at the chapel prior to funeral services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.