George Gerald Judd

George Gerald Judd Jr, age 83, passed away April 30, 2024. He was born on September 2, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah to George Gerald Judd and Martha Eliza Vigh.

George grew up in Salt Lake City and attended Olympus High School. During this time, he worked with his Uncle Max, helping to install HVAC systems. After high school, he joined the Utah Air National Guard and attained the level of Staff Sergeant in the fire department for 6 years. He also became a journeyman electrician during this time.

As his time was ending in the National Guard, he began to work at the Underground Test Site in Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked in the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory for 7 years. During these years, he married Sharryl Salisbury and had 3 sons, George Alan, David Gerald and Jeffrey Lynn. They later divorced and George moved back to Salt Lake City.

He married his eternal sweetheart, Marie Quist, on February 7, 1972, later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1978, George adopted Marie’s two children, Elizabeth Ann and James Alan. George and Marie just celebrated their 52^nd wedding anniversary.

From the time he was a young boy, George loved trains. He was later able to build upon that interest as he worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 21 years as a General Foreman Manager of Locomotive Maintenance. After retiring from the railroad, he worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Mt. Olympus FM Group for 20 years as a Senior Mechanic.   

George retired a second time and began working as a part-time locksmith for Robert I Merrill Co. He helped install hundreds of locks at the new Utah State Prison. He was skilled at designing master key sets and locking systems for large buildings. He worked for 12 years only stopping when he began to get sick.

George loved a challenge and would find a way to solve any problem. He was the epitome of a lifelong learner. If he didn’t have the correct tool for a job, he would make it! His sister, Joyce called him a miracle worker with anything that needed fixing. George was skilled and had a depth of working knowledge in HVAC, mechanical and electrical systems.

When asked what he wanted people to remember him as, he said, “That I am a good person.” 

George loved his family and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout his life he showed loved to others through many acts of service. He fixed, installed, built, and re-finished too many projects to count. He also helped care for his younger brother, Ray, for 25 years before preceding George in death. They also fulfilled an inner-city service mission helping to care for missionaries by repairing their apartments and mending clothes.

George was a person of integrity and served faithfully in many church callings. By his example he encouraged honesty, openness, and humility. He took time to help others by answering questions without criticism.  A strong work ethic accompanied his actions.

George is survived by his wife, Marie and his children: George (Jeanne) Judd, David (Rebecca) Judd, Jeff Judd, Liz (John) Houskeeper and Jim (Jennifer) Judd. He has 10 grandchildren: Mike (Heather) Livingston, Adam (Kayla) Livingston, Daniel (MacKenzie) Livingston, Megan (Brayden) Tullis, Katelyn (Calvin) Rochester, Shara Judd, Nathan (Felicity) Judd, Garrett Judd, Terrisha Judd & Winter Judd and 3 great grandchildren (Ezra, Avett & Aaron) with another one on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce (Al) Palache, 3 nephews (Troy Palache, Tyler Palache & Eric Palache) and 2 nieces (Jill Benson & Kristi Carter).

There will be a viewing on Tuesday, May 7^th, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the LDS Church Building on 2695 East 7000 South; Cottonwood Heights, Utah, cross from Butler Elementary School.  Funeral services will be on Wednesday, May 8^th, 2024 at 11:00 am at the same location.   There will be a viewing on May 8^th from 10:00 – 10:45am.