Parley Wayne Blight

He was born September 1, 1928 in Murray, Utah to Emma Carsey and William C. Blight. He grew up with his brothers Vern and Gayson (Red) near 3300 S. State during the Depression. He attended Blaine Jr High and Granite High, until he ran away from home at the age of 15 to join the Navy during WWII. Once his age was discovered he was shipped back home, but rejoined when he turned 17, serving for two years in the Pacific in the area of China and Japan on the USS Jason.

Parley married Elaine Williams in 1950, and they immediately started their family together. He attended Westminster College for two years, where he played football and track. In his early years, Parley worked at the Cobalt refinery in Black Rock, the docks of PIE Truck Lines and the Utah Highway Patrol. He tried his hand as a restaurant owner and a butcher shop owner, and finally began his career with the Salt lake County Sheriff’s Department, where he retired as Sergeant after 28 years of service.

Parley had many adventures throughout the years. He went treasure hunting for gold in Mexico with his brother Red, he fixed up and rode old motorcycles and owned several horses. He trained his German Shorthair Pointer “Lady” to win the Utah State Field Trials pheasant hunting championship. Parley enjoyed sailing with his family on the Great Salt Lake in his boat “Breezy Rider”. He loved fishing and camping, and he especially loved exploring the west deserts with Elaine and their good friends James and Terry Bird.

Parley wrote songs and poetry, and was a very talented musician, particularly on the mandolin. He was a member of the Utah Old Time Fiddlers, as well the New Fiddlers group. He performed in hundreds of shows over the years at various venues throughout the state.

Parley was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; three sons, Mark, Doug, and Brian, and sons-in-law Les and Dennis. He is survived by his sweetheart of 68 years Elaine, his children Karen Greer, Kathy Gordon, Lauren (Terry) Christensen and Vince Blight; his six grandchildren Beau Gordon (Brenda), Brett Gordon (Kristy), Starr Kocherhans (Tim), Ryan Christensen, Shane Orton, Maya Silva (Sinai) and six great grandchildren.