Our dad was born July 5, 1931, to William Vincent Eastman and Melva Hanney Eastman, the oldest of seven kids. He attended grade school in Woodruff, then went to South Rich High School in Randolph, where he graduated in 1949.
He would tell about being in grade school, he and the neighbor kids would ride horses 4 miles to school, and his horse, ole Shanty, disliked going to school as much as Dad did. Grandpa would get on the horse and tune him up, then dad couldn’t get him to slow down all the way to Woodruff.
In 1950, he received his mission call to the Great Lake Mission. After his farewell Dad received a letter saying “your friends and neighbors selected you for the Army.” He went from a black suit to Army greens.
Dad ran into our mom, Norma Kennedy, at Mutual one night. She asked him if she could go fishing on Woodruff Creek. He always said the fishing must have been good — she stayed 58 years. They were married June 6, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple. They welcomed two daughters, Tammie K. and Peggie Sue, to their family.
He worked many different jobs through the years, with help from Mom and us girls. His favorite was taking care of his ranch, cattle, horses and the fishpond.
Dad and Mom, with lots of patience, hired many kids throughout the years to help.
Dad had many church callings in his younger days and was a faithful home teacher up to his later years. He lived up Woodruff Creek until he was 88 years old. In 2019, he became a resident at The Family Tree in Morgan. Every morning he still would get up put on his coat, gloves, and hat and go to work. He always said he like the job there, but the pay wasn’t very good. He kept his fun, cheerful personality, wanting to joke and tease with everyone.
When his health started failing, many tears were shed by the staff and everyone had a fun Arlo story to tell us.
Dad passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, in Morgan, Utah.
He is survived by his daughters, Tammie (Clint) Cornia and Peggie (Martin) Feller, both of Randolph, Utah; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Ralph Eastman, Flora Goodwin, Willie Eastman, Connie Nyman and Melva Kennedy.
He is preceded in death by our dear mom, Norma Eastman; grandson, Allen Kinkade Feller; his parents; and brother, Phil Eastman.
Services will be at the Woodruff LDS chapel. Viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, and from 10-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Woodruff LDS chapel. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6.
Our family would like to extend our heartfelt love and gratitude to the caring staff at The Family Tree for the loving care they gave to dad and for treating us like family. We also appreciate the compassionate care that was given to him by the staff of A-Plus Hospice.
