Virden James Blackham

Virden James Blackham, 87, of Orem, Utah, passed away peacefully, in the early morning hours, on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

He was born on February 19, 1937, in Kenilworth, Carbon County, Utah, to John Rostron Blackham and Olena Elizabeth Rostron Blackham.

He proudly served an L.D.S. mission to England and traveled there aboard the ship the Queen Mary. He was still in contact with people there that he helped baptize.

Upon returning, he worked in the mine offices and went to College at B.Y.U. He graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Education. He received his Masters Degree in Natural History and also Library Science. He taught Math and History in Green River, Utah. He taught Biology at Carbon High School and Lehi High School. He finished his career as the Media Director at American Fork High School in the year 2000. 

Virden was strong in his faith and became Bishop of the Spring Glen, Utah, Ward, where he made lifelong friends and positively influenced everyone he met.

He married Neva Lunnen on May 18, 1962. They were divorced in 1988 but had the privilege and opportunity to bring a daughter, Verlynn (1967), and a son, Kyle (1970) into their family through adoption and have their family sealed in 1971, in the Manti, Utah temple. He later married and was sealed to Nancy Johnson. They were divorced in 1992. Virden loved his big family and was always surrounded by them. He is a favorite Dad to all, Brother, Uncle, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. His posterity has come to him in unusual ways, but he has always said, "if they are yours, then they are mine". He is survived by his two children Verlynn (Jason) Cook, Cedar Fort, Utah, and Kyle Blackham, Orem, Utah. Grandchildren, Josh (Stephany) Wiley, Santaquin, Utah,

Tanner (Alyssa) Wiley, Goshen, Utah, Kenzi (Dominic) Noskovic, Massachusetts, Riley (Jenna) Blackham, Massachusetts. 6 Great Grandchildren, numerous Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren, that he would never call step. A brother Lamar (Linda) Blackham, Spanish Fork, Utah. A sister Olena Hunt, Orem, Utah, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, baby girl Blackham, Jack (Elna) Blackham, Betty Butterfield, Urilda Potts (Laurence), Doyle Blackham, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Blackham.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints chapel, 670 E 800 N Orem, Utah. Viewings for family and friends will be held Friday, May 31, 2024, from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Wheeler/Sundberg Funeral Home 495 S. State Street, Orem, Utah, and Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. before the service at the church. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.