Delwin Taggart Pond's Obituary
Our dear husband, father, and grandfather, Delwin Taggart Pond left this mortal existence on June 18, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born at home and passed at home a few hours shy of his 92nd birthday.
Delwin was born in Lewiston Utah, June 19, 1933, to Martin Harris Pond and Valeria Taggart. As a young child Delwin had a thirst for knowledge. He placed a thoughtfully prepared stack of books at the back door so they would be ready for Delwin to ask his father to read to him as he walked into the home after a day of working the farm. Gratefully Harris did, and this cemented a love of learning and a longing for his father for the rest of his life. Delwin loved the scriptures and learning about anything wholesome and worthwhile.
Delwin was raised with two older brothers, Martin and James, on a dairy farm where cows and alfalfa were the economic drivers of their family. Milking and threshing hay in the hot summer days taught him the art of working hard, made even more difficult with the tragic loss of his father at the tender age of 6 years old. His mother Valeria was the anchor to his family and she was a force to be reckoned with. She came to know God in her extremity, and she joyfully had faith in Him, served Him, and taught her children through example to rely completely upon Him. Her testimony and example were the tinder of his own faith. Delwin came to know and reverence God, rely upon direction from the Holy Ghost, which gave him the confidence to do anything he was asked or prompted to do. His love for God, Jesus Christ, and for his fellow man blossomed into a fire and driving force in his life.
Delwin’s childhood was full of men’s work. His mom felt so bad about the burden she didn’t mind him sluffing school occasionally. Learning to read was a challenge for young Delwin, until Miss Byington, his teacher, introduced poetry. He loved vocabulary, language, and alliteration.
At 19 years of age Delwin served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Utah State University. He loved the university and took the opportunity to take classes on all the subjects that interested him. He joined plays and loved remembering his lines as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet. In 1965 he graduated with a Law degree from the University of Utah.
While a university student Delwin met Kathryn Brown Maughan in 1957 and knew within weeks he wanted her to be his bride. Married September 20, 1957, in the Logan Utah temple, she has been the love of his life, the woman that made his endeavors possible, and his lodestar. He was faithful and true to her, loved her with his whole soul, and needed her until his last breath.
As he and Kathryn began their family he began his private law practice. He was tenacious and loved to defend and represent people from all walks of life. He particularly loved family law and the legal work of adoptions. Giving couples a chance to have children and children a chance to have a family was his most satisfying work.
Delwin and Kathryn fostered and adopted children of their own. Lora Sakizzi Thurston, (Mark), Michael Anthony, and Nhi Thi Nguyen (Thanh) were children they fostered and loved. Delwin and Kathryn seized the opportunity to adopt beautiful children, Quetzal (Josephina) Chacon, Kevin Pond, and Philomena (Brad) Parry. These children along with Rex (Julie), Kelly (Marcie) , Derle (Ginger), Jennifer (Wade) Ashworth, Lynette (Chris) Brown, and Ryan (Becca) are his surviving children along with 28 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Delwin became active in working with Catholic Charities and other organizations that assisted refugees. Delwin and Kathryn shared their home, love, legal expertise, and practical knowledge with individuals and families fleeing war-torn countries. These were families and people facing their most challenging moments. He tried to create life-changing opportunities for so many. Delwin and Kathryn’s hearts burst with love for this community of friends.
In 1981 Delwin was called to be the bishop of the Bulter 28th ward. There were over 300 youth in the ward at the time, and he personally extended himself to each one. He often walked the ward boundaries late at night seeking inspiration about what people needed as he passed their homes, thinking of their family, their personal situations, and what he could do or say to help. Even in his last year of life, he loved to drive through the neighborhood recalling the name of the families who once lived or still occupy the homes. His neighbors were his friends.
A wonderful season of Delwin and Kathryn’s life was the opportunity to serve as Senior missionaries in the Cambodia Phnom Phen mission. His shock of thick silvery hair and ruddy skin was noticed in Asia and many people loved him. Part of their service included starting a micro loan program to help people economically. He shared the gospel with everyone he knew. He was unashamed of Jesus Christ and His Atoning sacrifice. He felt great reverence for His mercy and love. From his own life experience he knew need and poverty, and he saw it especially in this place. He knew that our Savior heals all sorrows, injustices, and unfairness. He felt joy watching people accept the gospel and seeing light come into their lives. Shortly after Cambodia, Delwin and Kathryn served a full-time mission to the Philippines Quezon City Mission, and finally, a Salt Lake inner city mission.
Delwin and Kathryn gathered their children for countless meals, celebrations, and family gatherings. They vacationed with family reunions in Heber City, Park City, and Bear Lake. They loved gathering their grandchildren and were deeply interested in their lives finding joy in their successes and accomplishments.
Delwin loved people. Even in his declining years, he spoke to every person he passed, found delight in watching toddlers innocently play, was energized by conversation and connection with other people. Always friendly and offering words of praise and encouragement to loved ones and strangers alike.
The earth and its beauty were not unnoticed by Delwin. He had a farmer’s heart. He loved growing a garden, he was stunned by cloudless blue skies, majestic green mountains, striations in rock formations, Venus brightly shining in the early morning sky, and the taste of a freshly picked tomato. The earth’s beauty took his breath away. He saw creation in these which helped him connect to the Divine.
Delwin is survived by his eternal companion, Kathryn Pond, his children named above, his oldest brother, Martin Taggart Pond, of West Lafayette, Indianna, his brother in-law, Archie Jerald Maughan of West Palm Beach, FL and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James.
The family thanks Sara Dunford and Sela Fatongiatau, his good friends, for their personal and loving care. We are also grateful to their nurses and caregivers from Suncrest Hospice for their invaluable care.
Viewing and funeral services are as follows:
• Location: Top of the World chapel: 8100 Top of the World Dr, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
• Viewing Friday June 27 6-8pm
• Viewing Saturday June 28 11:30am-12:30pm
• Funeral Saturday June 28 1pm - Broadcast link https://zoom.us/j/92087083917
• Luncheon for family and friends after the graveside services held at Brighton Point chapel: 3455 East Bengal Boulevard, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, 84121
Flowers can be sent for delivery Friday, June 27, 5-6pm to Top of the World chapel: 8100 Top of the World Dr, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund, or to Catholic Charities.
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