Posted on: Franklin Co. Id Obits Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Id/FranklinObits/10282 Surname: Eames, Geddes, Cole ------------------------- The Logan Herald Journal 03-11-2001 Wendell Geddes Eames, 83, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2001, in Logan, Utah, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was born on the family farm in Preston, Idaho, on May 30, 1917, to David Greaves Eames and Pearl Geddes Eames. Wendell attended Preston public schools along with his three brothers and five sisters. As a Boy Scout in Preston 3rd Ward’s Troop 32, he was elected senior patrol leader three times and became a four palm eagle scout. While in high school, Wendell was a member of the debate team, which was undefeated. He later acquired some dairy cows and joined a 4-H Club. Through his work in this club, he received a scholarship to the University of Idaho, where he received a bachelor’s in political science. He later attended graduate school at New York University and Northeastern University. In 1939, Wendell married Nedra Cole of Fairview, Idaho, and they moved to Washington D.C., where their son Wendell Brent Eames was born in 1940. Wendell and Nedra have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. While in Idaho, Wendell was employed in private industry as a historical researcher for a power company. After moving to Washington D.C., he worked as a host for a large restaurant chain until 1940 when he entered the service of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During World War II, Wendell worked for the FBI in counter-espionage and had assignments in Philadelphia, Mississippi and Washington D.C. He quickly moved up in the FBI organization and received new responsibilities. He became chief of the processing and research section and became stationed permanently in the Washington D.C. office. After 20 years of service in the FBI, Wendell was appointed the first Director of the National Driver Register Service, which he organized and administered in the U.S. Department of Commerce. In February 1965, he was awarded the department’s “Silver Medal” for his work in establishing and managing the National Driver Register Service, an automated driver records exchange, for the states and territories. In 1969, he was appointed Director of Accident Investigation and Data Analysis in the National Highway Safety Bureau of the Department of Transportation. In 1971, Wendell retired from government service to become a management consultant for Leadership Systems, Inc. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington D.C. area, Wendell served as a member of the Boy Scout Troop Committee and as a Scout Master. He was ordained a High Priest by Apostle Ezra Taft Benson. He served as a bishop’s counselor, and then served as bishop of a young adult ward for nine-and-a-half years. He then served as a counselor in the stake presidency and as president of the Washington Stake for three years. He was released as president of the Washington D.C. Stake to accept a call to the Washington Temple Presidency and to begin full-time church service. He was set apart as first counselor in the Washington Temple by Pres. Harold B. Lee and served as a counselor for five years. He was called and set apart as president of the Washington Temple by Pres. Spencer W. Kimball and remained in the position for five years. After being released from their temple assignments, Wendell and Nedra moved to Logan to be closer to their family. Wendell is survived by his wife Nedra, a son, W. Brent (Linda) Eames, Rexburg, Idaho; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his brother, Garth G. Eames, Rupert, Idaho; and his sister, Dora Deane Hall, Boise, Idaho. Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan. A viewing will be from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be in the Preston Cemetery.