March 9, 1938 ~ March 29, 2020
Our beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed from this life to the next on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at the age of 82 at home of natural causes.
He went from his earthly family's arms into his Heavenly Father's arms.
He was the third child born to Phylis Harwood and James Henry Tolhurst in Spanish Fork, Utah on March 9, 1938. He loved life and his family with his whole heart. He was a loyal friend and excelled in football at South High School, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated in 1957 and within the week he enlisted in the Army Reserves and served as a member of the Military Police.
Joe married Deanna Jean Dennis on November 11, 1960. On one of their first dates, he pulled up in his 1956 Austin Healey convertible to the love of his life and swept her off her feet. For nearly 60 years, they have lived, loved and worked side-by-side in a relationship as classic as Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They became best friends and have been inseparable ever since. Along with a new wife, Joe also gained a 2 year old son, Michael, and their new life began. Within five years they had two more children Linda and Timothy. They balanced working hard with having fun with their family. He did some scuba diving, rode horses in The Sheriff's Posse, enjoyed snow skiing for a time, and even sailedon the Great Salt Lake. He loved the outdoors and was an excellent shot with a rifle. He and his wife traveled to Arizona and Mexico many times to enjoy the winter sun. For the past 20 years they have been celebrating their anniversary in a place they both loved, Disneyland.
He accomplished many things over the years. His first job in high school was working at Utah Fire Clay in Salt Lake with his father. Joe was an excellent caddie at the country club. He worked as a shoe salesman, hung drywall and installed carpet and flooring. He built up his own small business,which he worked at until retirement, with his family installing commercial flooring (Zion's C. I.) He believed in hard work and instilled that work ethic in his children and grandchildren. He was a talented woodworker, carver, welder, silversmith and could do just about anything. A true Renaissance man. Together they raised their children in a home they built themselves in Bluffdale, Utah.
You could count on him for a warm, welcome greeting and an offer of a special treat. We will all miss his infectious smile, loyal and kindspirit, and dependable manner. Family came first; he loved his family and his many furry four legged friends over the years.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Michael Perry Tolhurst and brother, James Harwood Tolhurst. He is survived by his wife, Deanna, his daughter and son, Linda (Jeff) Payne and Tim (Jamie) Tolhurst, his sisters Katherine Anderson and Barbara Hilbert, and 7 grandchildren Jason (Teresa) Payne, Sarah (Dan) Halterman, Katie (Justin) Lebbon,Cassie Tolhurst, Brady (Miah) Payne, Joseph James Tolhurst and Jordan (Taylor) Payne; and 11 great-grandchildren.
