Class of 1961. Roy Nathan Taylor. Student Body Second Vice President. Basketball Manager, Tennis, Lettermen, Model U.N., Concert Band President, Chorus Vice President, Seminary Graduate, Seminary 4 years. BYU BS Business Management 1965. Married Cheryl Doughty, BYH Class of 1962. Serving on the 45th Year Reunion committee of the Class of 1961, in 2006.

Class of 1961. Carolyn Terry. Varsity Cheerleader, Dramatics, Forensics, F.H.A. Vice President, Hi-Steppers, School Council, Chorus, Seminary Graduate, Seminary 4 years, Honor Roll. BYU BS Elementary Education 1965. Married Gene Faux, BYH Class of 1962. Serving on the 45th Year Reunion committee of the Class of 1961, in 2006. @2010

Class of 1961. Sandra Thompson. Ski Club, Chorus, Hi-Steppers, Seminary Achievement Certificate. Married ______ Clark. @2001

Class of 1961. Julie Belle Van Wagenen. Dramatics, F.H.A., Model U.N. Reporter, Seminary Graduate, Chorus, Betty Crocker Award, Jouralism Rep in California, Honor Roll. ~ ~ ~ ~ Julie married Nelson Carlos Aidukaitis, who served as president of the Brazil Salvador South Mission from Tuesday, July 01, 2003 to Saturday, July 01, 2006. ~ ~ ~ ~ We have been back from our mission for over two years now. We are currently working at the Provo MTC with the Portuguese-speaking missionaries. We have seven children, Lee Nelson, Erik Dean, Amy Laura, Alisa Maria, Karla Belle, Jennifer Julie,and Kristina Antonia, and a foster daughter Roseli, and 23 grandchildren so far. After twenty years of studying, I finally received a Bachelors of Science degree from BYU. I haven't used it much, but it will look good on my obituary! I did work a bit for BYU in the Humanities advisement center and for the Provo public school system. Most of my time has been spent at home raising children and grandchildren, recovering the sofa and making the drapes, and feeding the needy. I love the Lord, my family, and our wonderful BY High reunions. Thank you for keeping this site alive! ~ ~ ~ ~ Alternate email: jaidukaitis@terra.com.br @2010

Class of 1961. Gordon D. Walker. Seminary Graduate, BYU Scholarship. BYU BS Economics 1968. Harvard University MBA 1971. ~ ~ ~ ~ NEWS ITEM 2003: STATE APPOINTS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Gordon D. Walker has been appointed director of the Utah Division of Community Development. Walker served as deputy undersecretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Reagan administration. He's currently the executive director of the Alzheimer's Association of Utah. Walker holds an MBA degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and received his undergraduate degree in economics from Brigham Young University. [Desert News, Saturday, October 25, 2003.] ~ ~ ~ ~ NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: Gordon is now the CEO of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, a countywide group that aims to coordinate San Diego's homeless serving efforts. Regional leaders in San Diego are counting on Walker to get San Diego politicians, non-profits and residents behind an overarching strategy to address exploding street homelessness countywide and to set up the task force to take on a regional coordination role. BIG JOB! Gordon D. Walker has extensive experience in government, private business and real estate development. Most recently he served as Director of Utah’s Division of Housing and Community Development, where he developed and implemented several acclaimed and innovative programs. In addition, he served as Deputy Under-Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during the Reagan administration as well as President and CEO of a federally chartered financial institution. He holds an MBA degree from Harvard Business School; his undergraduate degree is in economics from Brigham Young University. He has been frequently asked to speak at national conferences and is recognized as a leader in bringing together state, local, and community leaders to collaborate in solving difficult issues. [San Diego, CA - October 2017] ~ ~ ~ ~ NEWS ARTICLE: Gordon Walker Resigns as CEO of Homelessness Task Force in San Diego.

Class of 1961. Douglas D. Wilkinson. Track, Honor Roll, Soph Class Vice President, Commercial Award, Concert Band, Boys State, Forensics, Safety Council Chair, Senior Honor Panel, Model U.N., Seminary Achievement Award, Seminary Graduate, Seminary 4 years. BYU BS Political Science 1968. ~ ~ ~ ~ Douglas D. Wilkinson, BYH Class of 1961, attended all three of the BYU laboratory schools on the Lower Campus during the time that his father, Ernest L. Wilkinson, served as BYU's President (1951 to 1971). While Doug had the experience of growing up in the University’s Presidents Home located on a highly visible portion of Upper Campus from about age seven until he reached young adulthood, he did not consider that to be a particularly advantageous arrangement because of its distance from friends and families of whom he was very fond. After graduation magma cum laude from BYU in 1968 with a BA degree in Political Science (and also with highest honors in the Honors Program, and as a nominee for valedictorian of his college), Wilkinson chose to attend law school at Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley. Just before he was to begin, however, he contracted a serious illness that would have prevented him from attending classes on the school's semester system for three or four weeks. Disappointed at that development, he was advised that the University of Utah College of Law was at that time on a quarter system and would not begin its law school classes until several week later. He decided to transfer to the University of Utah College of Law since the delay would give him adequate time to recover and convalesce. The initial disappointment accompanying his decision was paradoxically transformed into a change of great fortune when he met his future wife, the former Rosalie Gilbert, at the U. Rosalie was teaching at Provo High School. As a result of this experience, Doug believes that some clouds do have silver linings. Douglas began legal employment as an associate with the prestigious firm of Ray Quinney and Nebeker in Salt Lake City. After a short period of inital training, he was given an unusual and heavy responsibility for a young lawyer in the firm. He was assigne3d to represent Gulf Oil Corporation, Sun Oil, Diamond Shamrock, and a number of other large natural resource clients in matters of great importance. Representing Gulf Oil in his first trial as a lawyer, he found that an action against Gulf had been instituted by a prominent Salt Lake attorney on behalf of a well-known Salt Lake City client, alleging that Gulf had been negligent in cleaning up lands on which it had previously had commercially producing oil wells, and which it had since shut down. If the action by the plaintiff prevailed, Gulf would be liable for many millions of dollars on the grounds that its work in cleaning up well sites was negligent and insufficient. Wilkinson entered the case so well prepared that he was successful in obtaining an almost unheard of result. Gulf Oil, realizing the importance of the precedent that would be set by an adverse jury decision, flew 21 employees and experts from all over the globe to Salt Lake City as potential witnesses. Just before the trial began, Mr. Wilkinson, as counsel for defendant Gulf, along with the counsel for the plaintiff, entered the Judge's chambers to meet and discuss preliminary matters. The judge had already read the trial brief of Mr. Wilkinson, and was just finishing the trial brief for the plaintiff, asked the attorney for plaintiff if he really thought that he had much of a case. The judge stated that, in his opinion, the trial brief written by Mr. Wilkinson had "completely destroyed any credible basis for recovery by plaintiff." Haltingly and with a substantial measure of embarrassment, the attorney for plaintiff stated that he had just read Mr. Wilkinson's brief the night before, and had come to the same conclusion. Under the circumstances, he asked the judge to dismiss the case. Gulf Oil Company personnel who were present, including its General Counsel from Oklahoma, thanked Mr. Wilkinson for what they said was a "masterful trial brief." Careful, skillful, and thorough preparation has been the hallmark of every case Doug Wilkinson has handled. He has gained the admiration of those who work closely with him. As he continued his practice of law, he received an unsolicited invitation from W. W. Kirton, the lead partner at Kirton and McConkie, to join that firm and change the focus of his practice from handling natural resource law matters to matters relating to general corporate, commercial lending, and real estate law. Doug accepted this invitation to join the Kirton firm, and shortly thereafter became a full partner, member, and shareholder in the firm. At Kirton he has a broad level of responsibilities. One responsibility was to represent the LDS Church, a client of the firm, in making large commercial loans to developers of shopping centers, office buildings, etc. These investment-type loans by the Church often involved large sums of Church money, and it was therefore incumbent upon Mr. Wilkinson to make sure that the Church was properly protected. He often met with top management of the Church, as well as with members of the First Presidency, to answer questions that might arise. Wilkinson openly states his opposition to the large number of "spurious and unjustifed suits” that he feels have come to clog our court system, causing the hearing of legitimate and important cases to often be delayed for years. “Unfortunately”, he says, "many of these cases are brought with the encouragement of unprincipled attorneys who have an obsession with money, and an associated desire to accumulate altogether unreasonable amounts of compensation within a short time with as little effort as possible in order to spawn a lavish living style. I am personally put off by such repugnant behavior inasmuch as it, among other things, inevitably causes (in the eyes of the public) the imposition of terrible stains upon virtually all lawyers, even though there are many lawyers who are conscientious, skillful, and desire to ethically represent their clients for no more than a reasonable level of compensation. In almost any profession, there are unfortunately those whose work is motivated by personal greed and whose profession of a genuine interest in helping others is completely counterfeit. That is a lesson that we all are forced to learn in life." Mr. Wilkinson has served as the chief enforcement counsel of the Department of Commerce, and has been employed directly by the LDS Church to serve as both Manager of Church Real Property, and as legal counsel. Mr. Wilkinson is a superb writer and has been frequently asked by fellow attorneys and others to review and revise legal and other documents drafted by them before they send them out in final form. In his work, Doug is quiet and modest about his legal, organizational, and administrative abilities. These abilities have resulted in many invitations to play major roles in the organization and administration of political, civic patriotic, youth recreational, service club, and Church activities. When Doug indicates his willingness to undertake an important responsibility, others know that it will be done, and done well. When he meets obstacles, he displays a resolution and persistence reminiscent of his father, and almost always finds a way to overcome them. He loves to work with others, is a consummate team player, and is genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. I have written this tribute because of my belief that Doug Wilkinson is an ideal personification of the ideals associated with Brigham Young High School. Though he has faced difficult problems and misfortunes in his own life, his determination, character and persistence has carried the day, and he is widely admired by those who know him. A deeply devoted family man, there is nothing that Doug enjoys more than his association with his wife, Rosalie, his children, and their children. Respectfully submitted, Alan Enke, former student at BY Elementary and BY Junior High, now serving the LDS Church as Regional General Counsel in Central America, August 23, 2006. ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Douglas was born on September 27, 1943 in Washington DC to Ernest Leroy Wilkinson and Alice Ludlow Wilkinson, the youngest of 5 children. Doug grew up in Provo and graduated from BY High School in 1961. He served an LDS mission to Germany and Southern California and later graduated from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah Law School. As an attorney, he worked for several law firms in the Salt Lake City area, specializing in real estate law. During his time as a law student, he met and married the love of his life, Rosalie Gilbert, on June 15, 1970 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they had four children. Doug was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a strong and abiding testimony, and served faithfully in various capacities. A life-long Cougar, he was an enthusiastic supporter of BYU athletics. Overriding all of these interests was his pre-eminent concern and love for his adored family and friends. Douglas Dwight Wilkinson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2015 in Murray, Utah at the age of 72. He is survived by Rosalie, his wife of 45 years; his children, Michelle (Trent) Howell, Jeff (Karin) Wilkinson, Chris (Lacee) Wilkinson, Ricky Wilkinson; 9 grandchildren; sister Alice (Floyd) Anderson, and brother David (Trisha) Wilkinson and sister in law Marjorie Evans. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother E.L. "Ernie" Wilkinson, and sister and brother-in-law, Marian (Gordon) Jensen. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Murray Utah South Stake Center on 5735 S. Fashion Blvd (300 E.). Viewings will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street, Murray, and at the church on Thursday before the service from 9:45-10:45 am. Interment at Murray City Cemetery. The Wilkinson family would like to thank all of the physicians and health care providers for their great kindness and care of Doug over many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Humanitarian fund. A full obituary may be viewed and online condolences shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com [Salt Lake Tribune, January 5, 2016]

Class of 1961. Dennis R. Wood. Football, Basketball, Baseball, Lettermen, Chorus, Concert Band, Instrumental Music. ~ ~ ~ ~ After serving an L.D.S. mission in Northern California and attending BYU I worked 32 years for Mountain Bell/U S WEST and retired in 1999 as the Utah Public Affairs Director. We live in Lehi, having moved here a year ago from our former home in Salt Lake City. I am married to the former Karma Jean Beaves (Class of 1964, Provo H.S.) Our marriage has been blessed with five children. Dennis was elected to the Board of Directors for the Utah Golf Association in Fall 2005. @2006 Possible alternate email: denniewood@msn.com @2010

Class of 1961. Kenneth A. Workman. Football, Wrestling, Baseball, Library, Seminary President, Seminary Graduate, Y'ld Cat Newspaper Photographer, Wildcat Yearbook Photographer, Seminary King, Industrial Arts Service Award, Seminary Service Award. He married Chris. His parents: Arland LeRoy "Hap" Workman, born April 9, 1916 in Roosevelt, Utah, married Ruby Hill Workman on November 12, 1936, and died September 23, 2004 in Provo, Utah. Arland Workman was a finish carpenter and woodworker, and later became a master locksmith at BYU, and supervised all lock and security doors until his retirement in 1981. They had four sons: Dan Rell Workman [BYH Class of 1958] (Margaret) of Roswell, Georgia; Stanley Ross Workman [BYH Class of 1960] (Barbara) of West Jordan, Utah; Kenneth A. Workman [BYH Class of 1961] (Chris) of Murray, Utah; and Lance Workman (Andrea) of Provo, Utah.

Class of 1961. Blaine M. Yorgason. Football, Dramatics. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYU MA American History 1970. Blaine M. Yorgason is the author or co-author of more than sixty books, including The Windwalker, which was made into a major motion picture, and Chester, I Love You, which was released by Disney Productions as Thanksgiving Promise. He and his wife, Kathy, lived in Riverton, Utah until they moved to St. George, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ His parents: John Gayle Yorgason and Lucretia Maude Copley Yorgason, Fountain Green. Frequently collaborates on writing projects with his brother, Dr. Brenton G. Yorgason [BYH Class of 1963]. ~ ~ ~ ~ FAMILY: Parents: John Gayle Yorgason and Beatrice Copley, married July 31, 1941. Following Beatrice's untimely death, John married Beatrice's younger sister, Lucy Copley, on January 9, 1952. Their children include: Marilyn Yorgason (Ron) Eliston; Gary Yorgason [BYH Class of 1961] (Teresa); Blaine Yorgason [BYH Class of 1961] (Kathy); Judy Yorgason [BYH Class of 1962] Ostermiller; Brenton Yorgason [BYH Class of 1963] (Margaret); Valerie Yorgason [BYH Class of 1968] (Edward) Platt; and Gregory Yorgason [BYH Class of 1972] (Kristine). ~ ~ ~ ~ Kathy and I are presently serving in the St. George LDS Temple, she as an Ordinance Worker, while I am an Assistant Recorder. I am also assigned to co-author a history of this wonderful old Temple, with a focus on Brigham Young's involvement, development of ordinances for the dead, and modern temple worship. What a choice assignment! Our 7 children have now given us 24 grandchildren, and we are greatly blessed. @June2011 More.
~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY #1: October 9, 2024 | Updated: October 10, 2024 SALT LAKE CITY — Noted Utah author Blaine Michael Yorgason died on Tuesday after complications brought on by dementia. He was 81. Best known for works such as “Charlie’s Monument,” “The Bishop’s Horse Race,” and “Windwalker,” Yorgason authored scores of books in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. His final published work was “All That Was Promised,” a historical book about the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, printed in 2013. He counted 88 published works that included short stories. “He loved telling stories,” daughter Tami Bestenlehner said. “He loved taking history and making it into a story.” Yorgason graduated from Brigham Young High School and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Brigham Young University. He taught at BYU from 1977 to 1980 after teaching in the Church Educational System. He was a Church missionary in Chicago. “He did love to teach. When he taught seminary and at BYU, he thoroughly loved that,” Bestenlehner said. Yorgason married Kathleen Wagstaff of Orem, and they had seven children. Blaine Yorgason co-wrote some books with his brother, also a notable author, Brenton G. Yorgason. Among those was “The Bishop’s Horse Race,” based on a story about their great, great grandfather, who made a bet about how fast he could ride a horse from Sanpete County to the Hotel Utah in Salt Lake City. The 1980 film “Windwalker,” was adapted into a movie filmed in Utah. Blaine Yorgason co-wrote the screenplay with Ray Goldrup, directed by Kieth Merrill, who won an Academy Award for his documentary “The Great American Cowboy.” “Windwalker” notably used Native American languages with subtitles and was set before the arrival of Europeans. The brothers wrote “Chester, I Love You,” which was adapted into a Disney TV movie, “The Thanksgiving Promise,” directed by Beau Bridges. Bestenlehner said one of the most important works her father wrote wasn’t published for the public. “Tall Timber” was written about the author’s great-grandfather and served as a uniting force for the extended family. Another book, “One Tattered Angel,” was even more personal for Blaine Yorgason’s immediate family, about Bestenlehner’s little sister who passed away. It’s the story of the family’s adoption of a girl born with no brain. “He had a lot of people who would write to him or talk to him about their own stories. He loved listening to other people’s stories.” He had seven children, 29 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. At press time, funeral services had not been announced. Bestenlehner said she thinks of her loss in terms of her father, not the author. She said while his legacy includes his works, for his family, it’s what he taught them, his example, and his faith. “To the very end, that was the most important: his family and his relationship with Jesus Christ.” SOURCE ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY #2: Blaine Michael Yorgason December 6, 1942 ~ October 8, 2024 (age 81) 12 Trees, Flowers, or Condolences have been shared with support of Blaine's family - View on Tribute Wall 12 New Posts Obituary & Services Condolences and Photos Blaine Yorgason Obituary On October 8th 2024, Blaine Michael Yorgason finished his earthly mission and returned with honor to the waiting arms of his beloved mother, father and daughter Charity, along with so many others anxiously awaiting his return. Blaine was born December 6, 1942 in Mt Pleasant, Utah to John Gayle Yorgason and Clara Beatrice Copley. At the tender age of 8, Blaine's much loved mother passed away and a year later his father married Beatrice's sister Lucy, becoming a second loved mother to the family. Blaine was raised in Fountain Green Utah, Nephi Utah, and Provo Utah, graduating from Brigham Young High. Blaine served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the Northern States Mission. He graduated from Brigham Young University earning his Bachelors and later, a Masters degree. On September 2 1964, Blaine married the love of his life, Kathy Wagstaff. They resided in Rexburg Idaho, Salt Lake City, Orem/Provo, Highland, Riverton, St George, and Vernal Utah. She has been his life and his heart since then, especially in his later years as she has been his main caregiver. Blaine's love of the world around him was evidenced by his and Kathy's favorite past time- going on drives up the canyon to see the leaves, going to Pine Valley to escape the heat of St George, or just driving to visit their families. This is something Kathy will miss immensely. Blaine's love of storytelling and teaching, evolved from making up parables to teach his children, to Halloween scary story family home evenings, to an eventual career that began with a divinely inspired Seminary lesson taught to students in Rexburg. He taught there for 7 years. This lesson became the book Charlie's Monument which is still his most popular book. Blaine has many published works including Windwalker, All That Was Promised (A history of the St George Temple), and One Tattered Angel (Charity's story). Some of those books he co-authored with his brother Brenton, which brought him great joy. His books came to him in various ways such as dreams, family stories etc, but each came as a result of listening to the Spirit of God; this was important to Blaine. He always said he could take a story and make it better but he always made sure he was following that spirit when he wrote. Blaine's love of his Savior and His gospel permeated all he did in his life. From teaching Seminary, Religion at BYU, serving as a Bishop in Riverton, and serving as Assistant Temple Recorder in the St George Temple, to his most important roles of being a dad, brother, husband, grandfather, and son, he shared that love and testimony of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through his words and through the life he led. Whether reading his books, listening to him speak, or in his home with his family gathered around him, he has touched the lives of many and that influence will be felt for generations. Blaine is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathy and their children, Tami Bestenlehner (David), Nathan (Rachel), Steven (Elsha), Travis (Beki), Dan (Janae) and Michelle Nelson (Trent) with 28 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. His siblings Valerie Platt (Edward) and Greg (Kristine). He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Charity, brothers Gary (Teresa) and Brenton (Margaret), sisters Judy Ostermiller and Marilyn Elliston (Ron), and grandchildren Jaron and Camilla. His funeral services will be held Saturday October 19th at 1pm in the Fountain Green First ward with a viewing from 10am to 12:30pm the same day. Burial will be in the James Yorgason Pioneer Cemetery. Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. The family would like to thank all of the staff and caregivers at the Uintah Care Center for their kind and compassionate care of Blaine and the love they showed to him. We love you all because you loved him, and he knew it. In lieu of flowers Blaine's family requests that if so desired, you donate to the humanitarian fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the hurricane victims at http://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/ Source2

Class of 1961. Gary Yorgason. Football, Chorus. His parents: John Gayle Yorgason and Beatrice Copley, married July 31, 1941. Following Beatrice's untimely death, John married Beatrice's younger sister, Lucy Copley, on January 9, 1952. Their children include: Marilyn Yorgason (Ron) Eliston; Gary Yorgason [BYH Class of 1961] (Teresa); Blaine Yorgason [BYH Class of 1961] (Kathy); Judy Yorgason [BYH Class of 1962] Ostermiller; Brenton Yorgason [BYH Class of 1963] (Margaret); Valerie Yorgason [BYH Class of 1968] (Edward) Platt; and Gregory Yorgason [BYH Class of 1972] (Kristine). ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Gary (Yogi) Judson Yorgason, 51, died Wednesday, April 27, 1994, at his home in Taylor, Utah, after a valiant and noble fight with cancer. He was born October 24, 1942, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, a son of John Gayle Yorgason and Lucretia Maude Copley Yorgason. He married Dolly Sue Worthington, July 22, 1966, in the Manti LDS Temple; they were the parents of three children and were later divorced. He married Teresa Buhler, May 15, 1981, in Fountain Green, Utah; later solemnized in the Provo LDS Temple, January 22, 1983.Gary (Yogi or Hoss) was raised in Nephi and later moved to Provo, where he graduated from BY High School in 1961. After his mission, he worked for Thom McCann Shoes and in landscaping, construction and at a lumber yard in Wyoming. For the past 12 years, he has been employed at Thiokol as a Material Handling Specialist in Supply Stores; most of that time was spent managing the lumber yard. He loved helping people, ranching, horses, and being with his family. He enjoyed sports, boating, fishing, hunting and landscaping. As a High Priest in the Taylor First LDS Ward, he had served in many positions including the Sunday School and Elders Quorum presidencies, a Sunday School teacher, and athletic director. He fulfilled a mission in the Western States Mission. Surviving are his wife, of Taylor; his parents of Fountain Green; four sons and two daughters, John Gary, Tyler Judson, Gregory James, and Sabrina Yorgason, all of Taylor; Shauna Marie and Justin Dale Yorgason, Salt Lake City; three brothers, Blaine and Brenton Yorgason, Salt Lake City; Greg Yorgason, Highland; three sisters, Marilynn Elliston, Soda Springs, Idaho; Judy Ostermiller, Salt Lake City; Valerie Platt, Pleasant Grove. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 30, 1994 in Ogden/Tayor. Interment, Yorgason Family Cemetery in Fountain Green. [Deseret News, Thursday, April 28, 1994.]