Theron Duvay Sainsbury
Theron Duvay Sainsbury was born June 13, 1930, in Rexburg, Idaho to Hazel (Strange) and Duvay Herbert Sainsbury on a ranch in the Teton Basin.
June 13, 1930 – May 21, 2023
Theron Duvay Sainsbury was born June 13, 1930, in Rexburg, Idaho to Hazel (Strange) and Duvay Herbert Sainsbury on a ranch in the Teton Basin. In 1935 they moved to Toppenish (Yakima area), Washington to work in the fruit harvest. In 1941 they moved to a ranch in the Flathead Valley (Saint Ignatius, Montana) where they had milk cows, raised Angus bulls and farmed hay. Theron became an expert trapper, catching hundreds of muskrats, beaver and mink which he skinned and sold for a nice profit.
In 1947 they moved back to Toppenish, Washington where Theron reunited with his fourth-grade classmates for high school graduation in 1948. After graduation Dad joined the Navy, serving four years aboard the USS Higbee DDR806. He fought in the Korean War (Company 535) where he earned several medals for bravery.
In 1954 Theron attended BYU and in 1956 served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rarotonga (The Cook Islands) and developed a great love for the Polynesian people. When he returned he bought a farm south of Moses Lake and raised cows and wheat. He worked at the sugar beet factory and even served as a deputy sheriff for Grant County for a short duration.
On June 6, 1963, Theron married Marie (Rowbury) of Warden, Washington in the Cardston Alberta Temple and raised eight children (five boys and three girls) on their farm: Mark (Debbie) Sainsbury of Moses Lake, Eric (Tami) Sainsbury of Moses Lake, Scott (Jana) Sainsbury of South Jordan, Utah, Angie (Jim) Wilson of Moses Lake, Reed Sainsbury of Gadsden, Alabama, Sheri (Chad) Lawlor of Spokane, Chris (Meghan) Sainsbury of Twin Falls, Idaho and Gina (Jason) Beasley of Spokane, Washington. Theron is survived by his wife Marie Sainsbury, all eight children, 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Hazel and Duvay Sainsbury, his sister Darlene Coon and his brother Larry D. Sainsbury.
Theron loved to go camping, fishing and exploring, and to gun shows, car shows, auctions, museums and adventures of all sorts. He enjoyed going with his sons on long white-water rafting trips, especially the Salmon River. For his 80th birthday his sons took him down the cold and treacherous Lochsa River. Besides studying the gospel of Jesus Christ, another passion was studying history. He reminded us often “Those who win the wars write the history books, not necessarily telling the truth.” He was very passionate about exposing falsehoods, especially those associated with World War II and was eager to tell everyone all about it.
Nearly seven years ago a diabetic ulcer developed on Theron’s foot which eventually cost him both legs. Confined to an assisted living facility he never complained and was always grateful for friends and family to come visit, tell stories and share a good laugh. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and will be greatly missed. We are eternally grateful for our loving father, friend, husband and grandpa. Thank you for sharing your life with us, we will always cherish our memories with you. Till we meet again may your love shine with us forever.