Eugene Ralph Hadfield

Eugene Ralph Hadfield, age 70, of Mena, Arkansas died on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Mena Regional Health Center of complications from Covid-19. He was born on Thursday, February 2, 1950 to Dale and Elda Hadfield in Lehi, Utah.

He graduated from Lehi High School with the designation of Most Outstanding Senior Boy. He was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow National Camping Fraternity, and later a scout leader for many years, guiding his four sons as they earned the Eagle distinction. He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina and throughout his life served in many church positions.

He married Debra Spong of Ogden, Utah in the Manti, Utah Temple on December 21, 1972. The couple are blessed with seven children and 28 grandchildren. He built two of the family’s homes with his first three sons when they were grade-school age.

He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Building Construction Technology. His career included Building Construction Instructor for Utah Technical College at Provo, Utah; Building Inspector for the Town of Cedar Hills, Utah; lecturer for BYU Campus Education Weeks; Production Coordinator for Prowswood Inc.; Construction Representative for Deer Valley Resort, Park City, Utah; Project Manager for Cannon Construction Co. Inc.; Owner of Prestige Pavers Co.; Executive Director of Concrete Masonry Manufacturers Association of Utah; President of Techcrete Inc.; and Construction Project Manager for 26 years for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He served as a Councilman for the Town of Cedar Hills, Utah when it first incorporated, hosting the town meetings in his home’s basement.

Gene’s family and friends said he could fix anything. At the age of ten, inspired by the book “T-Model Tommy,” he determined to restore to working order an old 1930 Model T Ford that had been rusting in the family pasture for several years. With earnings from plowing neighbors’ gardens, he ordered parts from a catalog to repair the engine. With a friend, he kept the engine going by sitting on the fender and squirting gas into the carburetor as they rode it all over the back roads of town.

His favorite activity was attending family reunions. He also enjoyed researching family history and traveling. During his life, he built three homes for his family, in Provo, Cedar Hills, and Highland, Utah, then remodeled three different homes when the family moved to Owasso, Oklahoma, and then Plano, Texas. When he passed, he was happily working on renovations for “Hadfield Haven” in Mena, Arkansas, looking forward to visits from friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Carl Hadfield; one sister, Heidi Hadfield; one brother-in-law, Don Pinkham; and one sister-in-law, Renae Hadfield.

Eugene is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Debra Hadfield of Mena; four sons and daughters-in-law: Varden Eugene and Becky Hadfield of Orem, Utah; Nathan William and Molly Hadfield of Provo, Utah; Neldon Robert and Randi Hadfield of Crandall, Texas; and Evan Carl Hadfield of Mena, Arkansas; three daughters and sons-in-law: Tamra Ann and Jonathan Staiger of McKinney, Texas; Trisa Marie and Daniel Perry of Liberty Lake, Washington; and Tawna Renae and Patrick Summerhays of Providence Village, Texas; one brother and sister-in-law: Valdean and Luana Hadfield of Ogden, Utah; three sisters and brothers-in-law: Karen and Daniel Adams of Orem, Utah; Mary Pinkham of Santaquin, Utah; and Amy and Johnny Barnes of Lehi, Utah; and 28 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mena, Arkansas, with President Tom McClanahan officiating. Due to Covid, the funeral will be for family only. Interment will follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. Printed on his tombstone will be Eugene’s frequent saying, “While you’re resting, why don’t you. . . “

Pallbearers will be Varden Hadfield, Nathan Hadfield, Neldon Hadfield, Evan Hadfield, Jonathan Staiger, Dan Perry, and Patrick Summerhays.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

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