Gregory Dearton

Gregory Dean DeArton, 64, passed away following a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by family at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on June 1, 2017.

Greg was born April 16, 1953, in Santa Rosa, California, to James and Patricia DeArton. He grew up in Santa Rosa before moving to Ione, California, where he graduated from Ione High School in 1971. He earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from California State University, Sacramento in 1981, and a master's degree in educational psychology with an emphasis in counseling and guidance from Brigham Young University in 1985.

Greg joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1969, at age 16 and served a full-time mission in Veracruz, Mexico, from 1972 to 1974. On September 23, 1978, he married his sweetheart, Kimberly Ann Jewett, in the Oakland LDS Temple, and together they reared six beautiful children. Greg spent 32 years as a seminary and institute instructor and coordinator for the LDS Church Educational System. After officially retiring in 2013, he continued teaching at Brigham Young University-Idaho. He served faithfully in numerous church callings throughout his life, including as a BYU-I student ward bishop.

Throughout his life, career, and church service, Greg was passionate about working with youth and young adults. He was known for his outgoing personality, warm and friendly disposition and genuine love of people. He enjoyed exploring the outdoors and being in nature, was a talented artist and calligrapher, and loved nothing more than spending time with his family. He will be forever remembered as a devoted husband and father, a loyal friend and true disciple of Christ.

Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Lamoine Gustaffson, and father, James Francis DeArton; older brother, Gary DeArton; and brother-in-law, David Jewett.

He is survived by his wife, Kim; daughters, Elise (Christian) Hansen, Kristina (Todd) Flatland, Ann-Michelle (Todd Freed) DeArton, Caitlan (Nathan) Parkin and Allison (Lucas) Dahl; son, Jacob (Tanya) DeArton; 11 grandchildren, Thomas, Dallis, Hadley, Gordon, Brynn, Graham, Neil, Adelé, Owen, Emma and McCartney; and sister-in-law, Loretta DeArton.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017, at the Coltman LDS 2nd ward building on Lewisville Highway, 12448 N. 5th East, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will be at New Sweden Cemetery in Idaho Falls.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hands of Hope Hospice for their caring service and compassion.

Funeral Services will be held