Karl Badger

Karl W. Badger, age 94, passed away peacefully at Highland Care Center on September 21. His was a long life full with challenges and lived with great integrity. It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to our wonderful father, grandfather and friend. We feel tremendous gratitude for his life and that his courageous struggle of the past few years has come to an end. “The days grow shorter, the nights grow longer, the headstones thicken along the way; and life grows sadder, but love grows stronger for those who walk with us day by day. The tear comes quicker, the laugh comes slower. The courage is lesser to do and dare. And the tide of joy in the heart runs lower, and seldom covers the reefs of care. But all true things in the world seem truer, and the better things of the earth seem best, and friends are dearer as friends are fewer, and love is all as our sun dips west…” from Interlude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, one of the many poets whose words were treasured by Karl and brought great meaning to his life.
Karl was born August 30, 1921 to James W. Badger and Lillian Jones Manfull Badger in the small town of Standrod, Idaho. Karl grew up in Bountiful, Utah, graduating from Davis High School. He spent many of his childhood years working in the fields helping area farmers. He developed a love of gardening, which became his lifelong passion. He served in the US. Navy in World War II from 1942-1945 as a radio operator after attending radio school in San Diego, California. He was stationed in the South Pacific Islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, New Hebrides, New Guinea, Mannis and the Philippines. At the end of the war, he enrolled at the University of Utah where he developed a great love of the subject of philosophy. He considered this opportunity to receive higher education a great privilege and he valued the gift of learning tremendously, believing people should strive to gain all of the knowledge they could in life. During this time, he met Maureen Peck at the Coconut Grove in Salt Lake City and they were married on September 3, 1949. Karl took on the responsibilities of helping Maureen raise her 3 children and they eventually added 2 more children to the family. Karl graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to teach in the Granite School District at Woodstock, Meadow Moor and Twin Peaks Elementary Schools for 33 years, influencing the lives of countless children. He spent several summers working for Wasatch Shadows Nursery in Holladay near his home. He thoroughly enjoyed his job as it aligned well with his love of gardening. He often said that soil was his medium, as paint was to an artist. He loved experimenting with seeds, vegetables and flowers. He always had a beautiful garden and his tomatoes were the stars. He provided a lot of tomatoes and homemade raspberry preserves for his family and friends through the years. Dad learned to be very resourceful in his life. He was very adept at using what he had to make all kinds of repairs. Karl particularly admitted the writings of Will Durant, author of “The Story of Philosophy” and “The Story of Civilization.” In addition to his love of philosophy and poetry, Karl also enjoyed any kind of word puzzle. He could recite many poems well into his later years, and enjoyed doing puzzles to the end. One of his favorite places to visit was Zions Bookstore on Main Street in downtown Salt Lake. He loved books and was very well read in many subjects. He spent his retirement years doing yard work for people, being a docent at the U of U Natural History Museum and spending time with his family. He was a dedicated “U” fan, had a great fondness for vanilla ice cream and enjoyed watching a good baseball game.
His great devotion in life was to his wife Maureen and he cared for her faithfully in later years, dealing daily with the challenges of her dementia. His care and concern for Mom was a true expression of pure love. They celebrated 61 years of marriage before she passed away in 2010. Dad was always ready to help his family in any way. He truly taught his children the value of hard work and critical thinking, always encouraging us to ask questions and seek our own answers.
Karl is survived by son Vincent Badger, daughter Ceselie Badger Goodwin (Lewis), step-daughter Shereen Kilpack Campbell, step-son Robert Kilpack, 3 grandchildren Jenny, Meagan and Zane, 1 great grandson Chase, and 6 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maureen, sister Arlene Badger Smedley, half-sisters Harriet Manfull, Mayme Manfull Boyd, Della Manfull Rose, half-brother Albert Manfull, step-son Larry Kilpack and step-son-in-law James Campbell. It was his wish to have a brief graveside service. This will be held at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South on Friday, Sep. 25 at 11 am.
Thanks to all who so willingly gave of their time to help Dad. He greatly appreciated all the help and support that came his way after losing Mom. Special thanks to the teams of caregivers of At Home Personal Care, Highland Care Center, and One Care Hospice (Charlee and Tanisha) for your kind and attentive care. Thanks to Rita Tyler for years of impeccable house cleaning. Until we meet again, good-bye to a beloved Father, a master Gardener, and a dedicated Teacher. Dad, your example of integrity, hard work and learning will be with us always. “. . . Such is my own belief and trust, this hand, this hand that holds the pen, has many a hundred times been dust. And turned, as dust, to dust again; These eyes of mine have blinked and shown, In Thebes, in Troy, in Babylon, . . . So shall I fight, so shall I tread, in this long war beneath the stars; So shall a glory wreathe my head, So shall I faint and show the scars, until this case, this clogging mould, Be smithied all to Kingly Gold.” From Dad’s favorite poem “A Creed” by John Masefield – Poet Laureate of Great Britain. Online condolences may be offered at www.holladaycottonwoodmortuary.com. Because Dad valued learning so greatly, donations in his honor may be made to the University of Utah General Scholarship Fund – 540 Arapeen Drive, Suite 250, SLC UT 84108; or at giving.utah.edu