Thomas Rasmussen Sr.

Tom was born February 19, 1927 in Bountiful, Utah. He was born at the home of Hugh and Alta Hayward by Dr. Byron Kesler Armstrong. He is the eighth (8th) of nine (9) children born to Howard Peter Rasmussen and Hazel Hayward Rasmussen. There were seven boys and two girls. Two of his siblings died shortly after birth. He spent his entire growing up years in the Bountiful area.

Tom was blessed and baptized in the historic Bountiful First Ward Tabernacle. Tom attended Stoker elementary school where Richard David Tolman was the principal. Mr. Tolman was loved and respected by both the parents and the students. Tom remembers him fondly to this day. Tom attended South Davis Junior High and Davis High School.

While attending Davis High he was very active in sports. He was the first person in his class to receive his "D" letter, as a Sophomore in track. Tom graduated from LDS Seminary.

Tom was very active in the community and church events. He received his Master M Man certificate in the Mutual Improvement Association. He also planned many church dances, parades, Cantaloupe Days at the Bountiful City Park and participated in the Road Shows.

In Tom's senior year he left Davis High to join the military, but was able to return for graduation. World War II was on and he joined the U.S. Navy. He went to San Diego for Boot Camp. He was then assigned his ship which was the USS Stern DE 187. Upon the end of the war his ship was decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Tom shuttled into Jacksonville, Florida to go to church. He became very active in the LDS church while on this assignment. He participated in the ward plays and music.

While Tom was in Green Cove Springs, Florida he received a telegram stating that his younger brother Ralph had been killed in an airplane accident. He had gone up in the plane with his Scout Master and another scout. The plane crashed and all three were killed. Ralph was 15 years old. Tom immediately returned home for his funeral.

He then returned to Green Cove Springs, Florida and remained there until he received his honorable discharge from the U. S. Navy.

After Tom's return home from the Navy he played the drums in a little local dance band. The band just played in the Bountiful area.

Tom entered the University of Utah where he studied for one year before going on a mission to the Netherlands. While attending the “U” of "U" he played drums in the Marching Band. Because of his love for drama he also acted in the University Theater. He acted in "My Sister Eileen" and "A Guest in the House".

Tom entered the Netherlands mission for two one-half years. He learned the Dutch language fluently and proselyted. He met many wonderful people in the different areas he worked and enjoyed the different assignments he had. He loved his mission presidents and his many companions.

Upon returning from his mission he returned to the University of Utah to continue his education. While at the "U" he met his future wife Georgia Smedley. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 20, 1953. Tom graduated shortly thereafter with a BS degree in Marketing. Tom's first job was with the Deseret News Press. His boss was Thomas S. Monson who became president of the LDS church. He had many experiences with him. Tom Monson lived in an older neighborhood and was a young bishop. Many times his ward members would call him for a blessing. Tom Monson would leave everything and go immediately. He would ask Tom to assist him. He also took Tom to his home to see his pigeons and rabbits. These are special memories.

Tom and Georgia started their family at this time. Thomas Val Rasmussen Jr. was his first born. Tom was excited to have Tommy at this time. After three years Scott Alan Rasmussen was born. Another joy and blessing. Four years later Linda Sue Rasmussen was born and they were so excited to have a baby girl. Three years later Ann Marie Rasmussen was born and now the family was complete.

When Tom and Georgia were first married and definitely struggling financially,Tom, because of his love for the gospel, decided he wanted to do a film strip on the "Apostasy and The First Vision". "The First Vision" was a huge undertaking. He wrote the script, he visited the different Junior High Schools to find the right Joseph Smith, he recruited the people in his ward to help him build the set and participate as actors in the film strip. He searched out a location in the Holladay area for the revival scenes and got permission to use Pioneer Village, when it was in Salt Lake, for the street scenes. He also used an original log cabin located in Centerville for the indoor scenes. He rounded up costumes. Georgia made all the special ties for the men. Tom even bought a sound track machine so he could choose and edit the music, along with being the photographer on the project. This was a huge undertaking and nobody knew if it would be completed and if it would be accepted. He even had an original picture painted of God the Father and Jesus the Son appearing to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. This was the first attempt at showing the First Vision. Everyone was more than excited when this project was finished. Tom held a premiere showing for all the participants and anyone else who wanted to come. This was an exciting evening and everyone felt so rewarded and blessed for the finished project. Tom then had to get this project approved by the church so it could be used by the missionaries. He advertised it in the Ensign magazine for distribution. The missionaries in the field were so grateful and pleased with the help it gave them in their missionary work. He received letters from the missionaries thanking him for this wonderful message that helped investigators to understand more about Joseph Smith. It was well received and very much appreciated, causing Tom to produce a second film strip entitled "Christ in America".

In retirement, Tom researched and wrote, for his own satisfaction, "The Book of Abraham" and "Our Wondrous Journey Through Eternity" because he loved to study and research the gospel.

Tom served many callings in church leadership and teaching positions. He served on the High Council in the Salt Lake Foothill Stake.

Tom's last job was with the State of Utah. He was an Acquisition Agent for the Utah Department of Transportation. He acquired the property for the new freeway system.

Tom was fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling in his younger years, including his attending "The Passion Play" in Germany. He has been to many foreign countries, US states, and on cruises. This is something he looked forward to and enjoyed very much.

Tom has a deep love of his family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knows that the restored gospel is true and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God.

A graveside service will be held Friday, February 28 at the Bountiful City Cemetery at 12:00 p.m.