Obituary for Theron Sainsbury
Theron Duvay Sainsbury
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. As a teenager 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 4th 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 (5 boys and 3 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 enjoyed going to gun shows, car shows, auctions and museums. He loved exploring rural and mountainous routes less traveled throughout northern Washington, Idaho and Montana. He especially enjoyed Snake and Salmon River fishing trips on Hells Canyon and through the Frank Church Wilderness of the Idaho backcountry. He could often be seen in his regular farm attire with an unbuckled life vest, casting a Mepps red and white #2 spinner into an eddy line while navigating a class four rapid with an ice-cold Coke in hand! Not bad for an 85-year-old. He was probably the coolest Grandpa in America! And for his 80th birthday his sons took him down the cold and treacherous Lochsa River which they barely escaped without flipping.
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 WWII 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.
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. As a teenager 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 4th 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 (5 boys and 3 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 enjoyed going to gun shows, car shows, auctions and museums. He loved exploring rural and mountainous routes less traveled throughout northern Washington, Idaho and Montana. He especially enjoyed Snake and Salmon River fishing trips on Hells Canyon and through the Frank Church Wilderness of the Idaho backcountry. He could often be seen in his regular farm attire with an unbuckled life vest, casting a Mepps red and white #2 spinner into an eddy line while navigating a class four rapid with an ice-cold Coke in hand! Not bad for an 85-year-old. He was probably the coolest Grandpa in America! And for his 80th birthday his sons took him down the cold and treacherous Lochsa River which they barely escaped without flipping.
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 WWII 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.