Bruce D Ashworth

Bruce D. Ashworth

Fountain Green, Utah

Bruce Don Ashworth passed away February 26, 2016 due to heart disease. Bruce was born March 25, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the son of Don Ferrin Ashworth and Julia Clark Sorenson. He spent his childhood in Richfield, Utah and teenage years in Santa Barbara, California. He was married to the love of his life, Michele. Bruce worked in some aspect of health care all his life. Educated as a Physician’s Assistant and Respiratory Therapist, he owned a medical supply and services company in Orlando, Florida. He then spent many years as a senior health care executive and later operated Ashworth Consulting, LLC specializing in health care services.

Bruce served as a medic in Vietnam from 1966 – 1968. Because of his family heritage and the sacrifices that he and generations of his family had made for their country, Bruce was extremely patriotic, but very quiet about his own military service. Bruce had no doubts that his mission was to be a medic and to be a Priesthood holder to bless the lives of those LDS servicemen in need.

Bruce had a very tender heart and had great difficulty seeing either people or animals suffer. He never tolerated abusive behavior and had no patience for a bully.

Bruce became interested in Med-Evac flying in Vietnam and was an accomplished pilot with ratings in instrument flying, multi-engine aircraft and held a commercial pilot’s license. Bruce loved the water all his life and was a competitive swimmer, surfed, scuba dived and (barefoot) water skied.

Bruce inherited a love of horses from his grandfather, Wallace Sorenson, and bred and trained working cow horses. His dun stallion Taxman was his pride and joy. He also loved his gelding, Bud, on whom he had over 5,000 mountain miles. Bruce loved nothing more than taking Bud and a pack horse into the mountains alone for a week. Bruce liked hunting for "big antlers and fishing small cricks".

Without a doubt, Bruce’s two greatest loves in life was being a husband to Michele and a aad to his children. He once wrote "The one special thing that made my spirit whole is my long love and friendship with my remarkable wife, my beloved Michele. I loved her more than I have words to express. Every moment spent with my Michele was time spent wisely. Over time, I became one with her, inseparable, happy and fulfilled."

He believed strongly that "good enough" was "not good enough" and that "where much was given, much was required". Bruce took great pride in the fact that his children exemplify these principles in their own lives.

Bruce was an active member of the LDS Church and enjoyed his many ward, stake and temple callings. He had a great love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and enjoyed gospel discussions with his wife, family and friends.

Survived by his wife, Michele; and children: Dane (Michelle) Ashworth, Syracuse; Ryan (Jen) Ashworth, Salt Lake City; Bree (Sam) Bell, Salt Lake City; LynnDee Ashworth, Heber City; Sherri (Jordan) Thacker, Altamont; Waylon Thompson, Altamont; Westley Thompson, Altamont; sister Jolene (Ray) Simon; brothers: David Ashworth and Randy Ashworth. Also survived by 11 much loved grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:00 Noon in the Fountain Green LDS Chapel, 151 South 200 West. Viewing will be Monday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the chapel in Fountain Green, UT. Interment will be in the Fountain Green Cemetery with military rites. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

Bruce was a founding/long-time board member with Utah Partners for Health. In lieu of flowers, donations to Utah Partners for Health (8211 West 3500 South Magna, UT 84044) would be greatly appreciated.