Richard Thomas (Tom) Atkin, age 74, passed away on January 23, 2022, at the Chandler Regional Hospital from lymphoma and liver failure.

He was born in Tooele, Utah, on September 27, 1947, to Edgar Thomas and Norma Atkin. He was the oldest of eight boys.

Tom served a mission for The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints in the West Spanish American Mission, from 1966-1969.

He married Marsha Ann Carter on September 12, 1969, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for over 52 years, and are the parents of eight children; grandparents to 28 (soon to be 29) grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Tom served our country by joining the United States Army. He was assigned for duty as a Vietnamese linguist and radio intercept operator with the Army Security Agency. While in Vietnam (1971), Tom was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Tom has always enjoyed working and serving in his church. He has served in many positions and organizations, including Bishop, Ward Clerk, as a Sunday School teacher and Primary teacher. He was a dedicated and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He loved studying the gospel of Jesus Christ, and tried to apply those principles in his life.

He had a keen mind and a talent for reading directions to figure things out. Tom had a great knowledge of many things. He was able to work in carpentry, plumbing, electricity, mechanics, and computers. Tom worked as an Electrical Engineer at NXP Semiconductors for 27 years, before retiring in 2010.

Since retirement, Tom and Marsha served at the Mesa Family Search History Center for five years – Tom as a computer specialist – and Marsha as the editor of the newsletter.  They also served in the Farmland Reserve Mission, from August 2016 – October 2017, serving in Paducah, Texas, and Elberta, Utah.  He also had a great love of the temple, and they both worked as temple ordinance workers.  Tom loved the gospel of Christ, his family, and his motorcycle.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha; and their eight children: Ryan Thomas Atkin (Gilbert, AZ), Jessica Komarek (Fillmore, UT), Richard Charles Atkin (Overland Park, KS), Joseph Tyler Atkin (Mapleton, UT), Addie Mae Pyne (Lawton, OK), Emily Ann Ames (Houston, TX), Saydie Suzanne Steffensen (Lubbock, TX), and Michael Brent Atkin (Tempe, AZ). Tom’s surviving siblings are: Grant (Lindon, UT), Bruce (Victorville, CA), Brent (Orem, UT), Steven Mark (Winnemucca, NV), Norman (Payson, UT), Byron (Mt. View, WY), and John (Myton, UT).

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meetinghouse, 650 South Cooper Road, Chandler, Arizona. Visitation will  start at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service.

A graveside service, with military honors, will then be held Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah 84651.

The funeral service in Arizona is being live streamed. Please click on the following link to view the service.

Richard Thomas Atkin Funeral Service