Delose Stephen Conner
Delose Stephen Conner (1953-2022), who was born to Jennings Delose and Uarda June Jensen Conner of Brigham City, died peacefully, Friday, November 25th at his home in Layton. Delose is married for time and eternity to his life-long companion and friend Janice. Together, they have five children, each of whom gave Delose and Janice an additional daughter or son through marriage. Along with their ten children, they have seventeen grandchildren, counting a granddaughter who is due this coming March and a grandson who preceded Delose in passing.
As a community of loved ones, we invite a gathering to celebrate Delose’s life and his example of loving service. A memorial will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday December 3rd at the Fox Creek meeting house (202 W 1675 N, Layton, UT, 84041). Following the meeting, we invite all to stay for a reception to celebrate Delose’s love and the life he used to bring us all together.
As a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, neighbor, teacher, artist, mentor, public speaker, storyteller, and camp director–Delose inspired and touched the lives of thousands of people. He inspired us to desire to live with greater love and greater excellence. He inspired us to search for truth and beauty in nature, literature, humanity and art, through conversation and debate. He lived the values of the Scout oath and law, and also loved to remind people of the motto and slogan to be prepared and to do a good turn daily. Delose also developed the guiding statement: “In a world where absolute truth exists but cannot be known, one must live by reason and faith.” He strove to create spaces where reason and faith could exist and be freely expressed and discussed: in his classroom, on the blog he wrote for fourteen years (attheagora.blogspot.com), in his home, in the Conner Lodge, and around the campfire.
He was many things to many people, but we know him best as a proud, doting, and eternally patient grandfather. He has left a deep impact on so many lives, it could be easy to feel small in his world, but he always made each person feel like the most important to him. Compliments flowed out of him; he was a builder of people. His life of service began at a young age through the example of parents and leaders. His service as a missionary in the Japan Central Mission had a profound effect on him throughout his life. After his mission, he spent time teaching at the Language Training Mission in Hawaii. Delose worked at scout camp for 50 years. He taught at Layton High School from 1985 to 2021.
Delose, you really lived! We are proud of you and forever grateful for the way you have shown us how beautiful a life of joy and service, of noble goals and ideals, of dedication to arete, and of love and friendship can truly be. As you cross the sea to the undying lands, may you there find a happy reunion with those you love who have gone before and those you love who are yet to come: your mom and dad, Janice’s parents, your brother Brion Jennings and your grandson Asher. While we remain, we will hold you in love and honoring memory, till we meet again.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to the Camp Loll Alumni Fund through Crossroads of the West Council or to the Davis County School District for Layton High School.
Additional obituary and arrangements are found at myers-mortuary.com