Gordon Frederick McEuen, Jr.

Gordon Frederick McEuen, 76, finished the last three weeks of his earthly mission peacefully on April 16, 2025 at the Central Utah Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. Fred was born to loving parents, Gordon Frederick, and Helen Fern Johnson McEuen on November 1, 1948 in Bell, California. Fred joined two sisters, soon to be followed by a brother. He had a wonderful childhood and loved California. He attended school in Montebello, California and graduated from Montebello High School. After high school, he attended Brigham Young University where he was a member of the Freshmen Basketball Team. From 1967 to 1969 he served an LDS mission to the Western Canadian Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fred spoke very lovingly of that time and loved his service to the Canadian people.

After the completion of his mission, he returned to Utah to attend BYU. While there, he visited one of his mission companions and met his sister, Mary Valgardson. They became a love story and married June 21, 1971, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Very soon after their marriage, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years with honor, receiving several commendations for his service. While in the Army in Texas they welcomed their daughter Rachel into the family.

They returned to Provo, and both Fred and Mary continued their education. Fred received his Bachelor’s Degree from BYU, and then they moved to Southern California to work. They later returned to Utah having increased their family to include their son Dan. While in Utah, Mary passed away after a short battle with cancer in 1978. Fred was lost without her but continued to raise his two young children. They were a small but close knit family, especially the children. After Mary’s death, Fred began his career with the State of Utah, retiring as Regional Director of the Office of Recovery Services.

Fred was blessed to meet and eventually marry, Delores (Dee) Stewart, widow of Wayne Martin Stewart, August 12, 2010. Dee's love of Fred, and vice versa helped in patching the broken heart he had carried for so many years. He welcomed in a second family. He spent the last 25 years of his life building memories together with Dee. Family was very important to Fred. He was the coolest "Uncle Fred"; his nieces and nephews adored him. His death is a big loss to so many.

Fred was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he taught his children to serve. He was a wonderful neighbor and loyal friend.

Fred is survived by his wife, Dee McEuen, daughter Rachel (Anthony) Thomas, and son Daniel Frederick McEuen. His legacy includes four Stewart children, Stephanie Lemon (Richard); Travis, Rhett (Michelle), and Kirk Stewart, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He loved them all. He is also survived by his sisters Kathleen Greer, Karen (Norvel) Christenson, and his brother Patrick (Vivi) McEuen.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife Mary, grandson Jacob, his parents, and his brother-in-law Herb Greer. We know his reunions with loved ones are joyous now, free from physical ailments.

The family is deeply grateful to all of Fred’s hospice and Veterans Home angels.

Please join us as we celebrate Fred, Saturday, April 26 at the Lindon13th Ward,1050 E 100 N, Lindon, Utah 84042. There will be a visitation with the family from 10-10:45 am and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Lindon City Cemetery, including Military Funeral Honors.

A link will be provided on this obituary the day of the Funeral for the Zoom broadcast of the service.