ElRoy Zentner

ElRoy Dean Zentner, 81 of Tooele, Utah passed away from natural causes on January 1, 2022. ElRoy was born March 13, 1940 in Ophir, Utah to wonderful parents, John Dean and Nellie Zentner. ElRoy was the oldest of four children – Barbara Jean Zentner Vancott, Gaylen M. Zentner, and JoDeane Zentner Condrat. ElRoy grew up mostly in Tooele, but spent some younger years living in Ophir. There he would visit with his grandparents John Sam Morrell and Concetta Vernucci Morrell (his mother’s parents). His family moved to Tooele when he was 2-years-old. He enjoyed his time spent in both locations.

ElRoy graduated from Tooele High School in 1958. He spent a lot of time with his friends Jay Smith, Nolan Steadman, Bruce Steadman, and Danny Lawrence. ElRoy went on to get both a B.S degree and a M.S. degree from the University of Utah in Business Management and Business Education. ElRoy went on to get both a B.S degree and a M.S. degree from the University of Utah in Business Management and Business Education.
ElRoy married and divorced Malinda St. James (Linda Lee Archer). ElRoy loved their four children, Shonda and Tiffeni, York, and Chelsie.

ElRoy later married the love of his life, Susan Wilson. Their children are Weston Zentner and Kirtli Hamatake. Susan raised York and was a sister-consultant to Tiffeni. Marrying Susan was a positive turning point in ElRoy’s life, and one he always looked on as the best thing that ever happened to him.

ElRoy took many, many graduate courses because he enjoyed keeping up to date on what would be required of his students. He taught business classes for 30 years at Tooele High School (THS) and was department chair most of that time. Then, he taught business classes concurrently with (THS) at the University of Utah , Utah State University, and Salt Lake Community College. He enjoyed most of all, the job placement program for high school students where qualified students would interview with local businesses for on-the-job training with pay.

When he retired from THS, he took a position as network administrator at EG&G Defense Materials, Inc./URS. He moved on to the Purchasing Department as a Cost/Price Analyst and Senior Buyer where he performed all of the highest level multi-million dollar, complex cost price analyses for the company and the US Government. He, also, was assigned many of the largest subcontracts for the projects, which he handled with grace and finesse. He enjoyed his work peers and working with vendors.

ElRoy served a 2.5 year mission to Switzerland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his life he held many church positions among which were: Home teacher, Sunday School Instructor, Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Clerk, High Councilor, Family History Consultant and First Counselor in two Bishoprics.

ElRoy excelled at his business skills and, at one time, could Gregg shorthand at 140 words per minute (wpm), and could type 130 wpm for 3 hours with no mistakes as a freight bill of lading clerk while attending college at the U of U.

ElRoy enjoyed his time with his family. He thought his grandchildren were wonderful! He also enjoyed woodworking and built most of the furniture in their home. He enjoyed wood turning, photography, and target shooting. In his younger years, he, Susan, and York would ski all season long while the snow lingered. He also liked to hunt and fish. He said there would be lots of eating jerky, cheese, apples, and pinenuts, drinking pepsi, sitting around campfires and talking, and not much hunting.

A funeral service will be held on Friday January 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Tooele Stake Center located at 253 S 200 E, Tooele, UT 84074. A visitation for family and close friends will be held prior to the services at 10:00 AM.

ElRoy is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Susan, children Shonda (Tom), Tiffeni, York (Sabrina), Chelsie, Weston (Michelle), Kirtli (Brandon), many grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Siblings: Barbara, Gaylen (Elizabeth), and JoDeane (Alan).

The family wants to thank all those who helped ElRoy in the last few months of his life.