Joe Eastburn

Joe “Pa” Eastburn

Joe Eastburn 1950 - 2024 passed away surrounded by loving family and friends Thursday, May 30th, 2024 in St. George Utah. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Joe came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Joe was born on November 2nd, 1950 in Tooele, Utah to Earl William Eastburn and Peggy Lamarge (Weick). Joe was the eldest of 5 brothers. He shared a special relationship with his greatest mentor in life, his grandfather. Gramps instilled in him at a young age the importance of strong family values and the wonderland of the great outdoors that shaped his life passions. Camping, fishing, hunting, cooking, fixing anything and the beauty of the stars and the glow of a full moon on a clear night. He cherished his childhood friendships with his best friends, Jim Lougy and Richard Sisneros, participating in these same passions and finding as much mischief as possible. Joe attended Tooele High School, where here he excelled in track and field and baseball. Shortly after graduating, he was married and welcomed into his life his son, Christopher, followed a few years later by daughter, Cindy.

Joe began his long, decorated career in the not so decorated Tooele smelter after high school. In 1973 he accepted a job opportunity with Mountain Bell Telephone Company as an installation and repair technician. Throughout his career at the phone company he accepted many promotions as his skill set expanded. Eventually, settling in as the area supervisor over the cable repair department where he spent the majority of his career. Approaching retirement, he accepted an opportunity as a Sr. Design Engineer. In 2011, he celebrated a 38 year career with the decision to retire. Throughout his career, he was honored and recognized with many awards and was selected to be the face of Qwest Communications for an ad campaign. He got to be a Hollywood model (which was way out of his comfort zone). His image was placed on several billboards throughout the Salt Lake valley as well banners and TV ads but he was very proud of that. Most important to him was the relationships he made through his career. There are countless folks that filled his heart and made his journey very rich through life at work. Many of those relationships carried on right up to the last second in life and will last forever in our memories. A special note to his partners in crime and closest telco friends, Craig and Rod. You held a very sacred spot in his heart.

While working at the Phone Company he came across an employee listed as         “P. Standing.” This unique name piqued his interest with him remarking, “I do too, but I don’t brag about it!” Little did he know that this vibrant, beautiful woman would become the love of his life and soulmate. He and Pam were married on, of all days, April 1st 1985. April fools day! Not once in almost 40 years of marriage did they play any April fools jokes on each other. Pam cultivated and refined Joe to become the man we know and love. Joe in turn, became the father to her children Justin and Carlie, raising them as his own. Together they celebrated family. Every month was filled with get togethers for holidays, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. Pam always ensured that dinner was served at 6:00pm on the dot. They adored one another and were ideal travel companions. They fulfilled their final vacation together with loving friends, Roy and Michelle to Tennessee only weeks before his passing.

Joe enjoyed many hobbies, golfing securing the #1 spot. He connected with so many friends spending time on the course. No doubt, all of you have a golfing story involving him that brings a smile to your heart. He loved sharing time with everyone in the golf and bowling leagues. He loved sports and is the family's biggest Dallas Cowboys fan (I’m going to catch crap for that!). He loved sharing a beer with friends and family over a golf game, football game, hell… any game! Mom would say “if there is only one thing I won’t miss, it's having to watch football ALL THE TIME!”

He relished in his role as “Pa” to 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. If there was anything capable of breaking through his hard outer crust, it was any one of them. He had a special way of making each one of them feel as if they were his only grandchild. His greatest joys were spending time cheering on sports events, recitals, award ceremonies and any opportunities to tutor them how to bait a hook. Having Pa around was like having a big giant safety net forever under you in case you fall.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl William Eastburn and Peggy Lamarge (Weick); brother, Kelly; grandfather, Elmer “Gramps” Weick.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela; children, Christopher (Renee); Cindy (George); Justin (Saisha); Carlie; brothers, Bill (Connie); Kenny (Lori); Danny (Tarci).

Our family would especially like to thank and recognize all the compassionate care provided at the St. George Regional Medical Hospital during Joes stay. A special thanks to nurse Karen for her support.

A celebration of life will be held June 30th at the F.O.E. banquet hall in Tooele, Utah at 1pm. To celebrate his love of sports, please come dressed in your favorite sports team attire (and a toothpick).

"Pa”, we will miss you immensely. You were our “go-to” when life got rough, you were our sanity in this crazy world, and our comfort when we needed clarity. You were always someone we could count on, and although you were a straight shooter, you always got your point across without judgement, and always provided us sound advice. You always made sure we made our decisions after thinking things through. You always gave it 110% . Because of you, we have the hearts of a lion, the love of our family, and an insane work ethic.