Obituary of Thomas Chris Wardell
Thomas Chris Wardell, passed away August 1, 2021 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. He was born April 4, 1960 to Pearl Rich Wardell and her late husband Thomas George Wardell in Vernal, UT. Thom leaves behind his wife of 39 years -his eternal sweetheart Kristie Ann Neal Wardell. Thom, Kristie, and their four sons moved to Harrison County, West Virginia in 2002 when he started working for Aurora Flight Sciences as a program manager. His sons Thomas Neal Wardell (wife Sarah and children: Chesirae, Sadie, Leneah, & Thomas James) and David Christian Wardell (wife Andrea and children: Lilly, Neal, Leo, & Ronan) now live in Utah County, Utah. Their other sons, Joseph Rich Wardell and Steven Richard Wardell and his son Bently reside with them in Lost Creek, WV. His siblings Moana (Kevin) Draper, Douglas (Sheryl) Wardell, and Penni (Alan) Batty reside in Vernal, UT and will be among those who miss him terribly.
Also known as Chris, Thom engaged in many activities during his time at Uintah High School in Vernal, Utah: namely playing football, competing in wrestling, and starring as the lead role in a high school musical. After high school graduation, Thom attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho while preparing himself for serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served honorably in the mission field for two years at the San Jose California Mission. Soon thereafter he married his beautiful wife, Kristie, and pursued a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Utah State University in Logan, UT. Prior to working for Aurora Flight Sciences, Thom built a distinguished career as a Test Engineer at Thiokol in Promontory, UT, Lead Design Engineer for Hewett Packard in Boise, ID, President of R-Cubed Composites in West Jordan, UT, and a Director of Engineering for ATK in Dennis, MS. Thom was well respected nationwide in the Aerospace community for his professionalism, honesty, and sincerity. He made many friends and enjoyed spending time with them throughout his career. He was well regarded wherever he lived, namely Vernal, UT, Logan, UT, Salt Lake City, UT, West Jordan UT, Emmet, ID, Tooele, UT, Erda, UT, and Corinth, MS. Bridgeport WV & Lost Creek WV.
Thom was a man who loved serving the Lord as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He diligently served his church as a gospel doctrine teacher, a stake missionary, a councilor in the stake young men’s presidency, and as a ward clerk. He thoroughly enjoyed deep spiritual conversations with others, home construction, skiing, cooking, and history. Thom is remembered fondly for his distinctive and merry laugh. He was a very intelligent man who valued truth, sought to understand the universe and the people around him. With a generous heart he loved and helped those in need. As his grandson Bently said shortly before Thom’s passing, “I really really really miss you! I hope you have fun in heaven.”
Family and friends who want to say goodbye may visit the Ford Funeral Home Allen Chapel 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV on Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. with Bishop Tom Brown officiating. Thom’s remains will then return to Utah for funeral services in Spanish Fork, Ut which can be viewed online at Legacy Funerals and Cremation’s Facebook page live Friday morning August 13, at 11:00 a.m or later at your convenience. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com or www.legacyfunerals.com.
