Dee Carling Astle

Dee Carling Astle Born November 9, 1933 to Laura Thelma Carling and John Francis Astle Jr. at Grover, Wyoming, the fourth of five children. Dee was a happy energetic young boy who grew up with a deep love for horses. He could catch and even saddle a horse by the age of four, so that he could ride up to the Grover school and visit his older siblings. He has worked with horses doing farm work, riding for pleasure and trained horses for others. He loved driving the teams of work horses and light horses on sleighs and buggies. He was a good student and did well at school but never had the opportunity to attend college due to lack of family finances and the needs of the older siblings. Dee married his high school sweet-heart, Gayla Gardner, right out of high school at age nineteen in the Salt Lake Temple. They were the proud parents of one daughter, Carolyn, and four sons: Craig, Kent, Val, and Robert. The early years of marriage were very lean financially, but full of love and family fun. Evening horse back rides after work were instrumental in teaching all five children to love horses. Hard work was the rule of the day. Dee was an extremely hard worker and his example helped teach all of his children to value hard work as well. Dee worked for Golden Anderson ranching, farming and caring for the stock. During the fall, roundups on Grey’s River were especially enjoyable. Dee was very good at fixing and running farming equipment and ran the large cattle ranch for Golden for many years. Hunting was also a favorite pastime for Dee and Gayla and the family. The fall elk hunt was always greatly anticipated and numerous family stories are told about the adventures during those hunts. Dee and Gayla love to dance and taught the Ward and Stake youth many dances in preparation for Stake events. Dee was a devoted husband and father and spent his life in the services of his family. He was a good provider and protector. He was also a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in bishoprics, elders quorums and high priest group leaderships. Dee and Gayla served a full time historic sites mission in the St George area and served for many years as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls and the St George Temples. To make a living and raise a large family in Star Valley required that Dee not only farm and ranch his forty acre homestead but he also worked full time for many years at the Thayne, Wyoming Swiss cheese creamery and then for years as head inspector at an Afton Based aircraft manufacturing company. The ranch never provided much income for the family, but it served to teach all the children how to work. Leaving their beloved Star Valley in 1994, Dee and Gayla moved to their Diamond Valley Ranch near St George, Utah to pursue ostrich ranching. The thirty years spent in Diamond Valley were productive, happy and filled with family and friends. Retirement there was quiet and full of service and contentment. Being a man of integrity, honor and service to others, Dee was loved and appreciated wherever he was. He will be missed by a large extended family and by many friends. At the age of ninety, Dee passed away on May 9, 2024 of natural causes. He is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings. Thelma Beyeler, Leon Astle, Elmo Astle and Frances Moser and daughter Carolyn Astle Owen (Chuck). He is survived by his beloved wife and eternal companion, Gayla and by his four sons, Craig (Jan), Kent (Denise), Val (Valerie) and Robert (Teri). He is also survived by nineteen grand- children, fifty-seven great grand-children and one great, great grandchild. Funeral services will be held on May 25 at 11:00 at his beloved Diamond Valley Ward building. All are invited to come celebrate the life of this remarkable man of righteousness. Visit with family and friends 9:30-10:30. Family prayer at 10:40

Dee Carling Astle

November 9, 1933 - May 9, 2024