Aug. 11, 1946-Aug. 11, 2023
Norman Frederick (Fred) Esmeier passed away suddenly in an automobile accident on Aug. 11, 2023, on his 77th birthday. He was born Aug. 11, 1946, to Norman William (Norm) and Corinne Lambeth Esmeier in Cedar City, Utah.
He grew up in Cedar City. As a child he loved going to the mountain, fishing in the Lambeth stream, and riding horses. One of his hobbies was to assemble and meticulously paint model planes and army equipment. Some of those models were displayed at the National Guard Armory in Cedar. He had an idyllic childhood surrounded by cousins and friends.
As he got older, he became a collector of many things including guns, rocks, knives, hats and zippo lighters. Fred loved cars and trucks. By tinkering with his own vehicles and studying manuals, he became a self-made mechanic. He was well known as one of the best in town.
Fred graduated from Cedar High School May 29, 1965. The day after his high school graduation, he entered basic training for the National Guard in Fort Ord, California, with several friends and cousins.
Upon returning home from basic training, Fred held several jobs, one of which was logging for the Clark Brothers on Cedar Mountain. During this time, he noticed a pretty girl in the Clark family. He saw her around town, in the flower shop and eventually danced with her at a Fourth of July dance. That blossomed into a budding romance. On May 29, 1969, Fred and Virginia were married and he instantly, willingly, and lovingly became a father to four children, Ginger, Clark, Rex and Paul from Virginia’s previous marriage.
On March 17, 1973, Fred and Virginia were sealed in the St George Utah Temple. The next month they added a new daughter Sharon and 16 months later added another daughter Julie to complete their family. The girls were the light of their dad’s life. There was not a more devoted, loyal, and loving husband and father than Fred. The way he took care of Virginia, especially in her later years, is one of the greatest examples of love that all the kids and grandkids will never forget. He was a proud and supportive father and grandfather, watching his kids and grandkids perform in shows, sports or dance.
He worked in the construction industry for many years, part of which was doing cement. He started a concrete business with the Blake brothers that he ran for a few years. He worked as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic for various companies, including Nevada Ready Mix, Nevada Rock & Sand, and finally Las Vegas Paving where he remained for 27 years retiring in 2013 as a shop foreman. Even after retiring, he worked hard in his yard and in his home. It seems he would never sit still. During rare downtime, he loved a good Western, war movie or historical documentaries.
He was a perfectionist, dependable, responsible and respectable. He taught his children the value of work and doing a job right. He loved history and knew more about World War II than most. He was a gun expert and collector and taught his kids and grandkids the history and mechanics of weapons and how to respect them. Fred was the one everyone went to because he could fix anything and answer every question.
He had a quick wit and masterful sense of humor. His strong opinions were littered with awesome one-liners. Everyone wanted to be in his conversations because they were always epic.
His greatest legacy he leaves is his love for his wife and family. He loved them deeply and sacrificed much for them. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his children Julie (David) Shirts, Santa Clara, Utah; Sharon (Kurt) Hutchings, Diamond Valley, Utah; Paul (Denise) Webster, Santa Clara; Clark (RuthAnn) Webster, Las Vegas, Nevada; Ginger (Murry) Whipple, Hiko, Nevada; mother, Corinne Esmeier, Cedar City; sister Jane (Danny) Roberts, Cedar City; brother Kim (D’Ann) Esmeier, Las Vegas; 26 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Clark Esmeier; son Rex Webster; father Norm Esmeier; and great-grandchildren Brinna Van Vliet, Taylor Van Vliet and Havyn Groskreutz.
Funeral dervices will be Saturday, Aug. 19, at noon, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St George.
Friends may call Friday, Aug. 18, from 5-7:00 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St George.
Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery following the services.
Friends and family unable to attend can click here to view services virtually.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Fred’s online guest book.