July 19, 1931 ~ May 15, 2013
St. George, Utah-Reed Sterling Spafford passed peacefully May 15, 2013 in St. George, Utah, following a decline in health over the past year. Through it all, and typical of his entire life, he persevered with a positive mental attitude.
He was born in Pocatello, Idaho on July 19, 1931 to Reed Spafford and Samantha Leona Reynolds. He attended schools in Salt Lake City, graduating from South High School (1948) and taking his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Utah (1956). He married Marilyn Fowles in the Salt Lake Temple on December 28, 1953.
He will be fondly remembered for his service to church, community and family. A life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, he served in multiple callings. He served a proselyting mission in the Great Lakes Mission (1951-1953). He served in bishoprics, on the High Council and in the Stake Presidency of the Monument Park Stake (1974-1984). He was a gifted teacher and speaker. He served as Mission President over the Canada Calgary Mission (1985-1988). He served his country in the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps (1953-1955). He served in Rotary International as President of the South Salt Lake Club (1982-1983), District Governor for Utah District 5420 (1996-1997), Foundation Chairman (1997- 1998) and District Advisory Committee (1997-2005), and is a Paul Harris Fellow and was at the time of his death a member in good standing of the St. George Club. He extended his service as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Deseret Foundation, IHC Health Plans, Dixie Regional Medical Center Foundation, and as a Member of the National Advisory Council of Dixie State College.
He brought great enthusiasm to his career, and "Spaff" will be particularly remembered and respected for his organizational skills and work ethic by colleagues and dear friends at UARCO Business Forms, Galbraith & Green, Inc. and RJ Salisbury & Associates.
In every act of service, in every successful pursuit, and in every moment at home, Sterling relied upon his sweetheart of 59 years, Marilyn. They two were one in so many endeavors, each knowing the role and acting the part. When the Spafford's presided in Canada Calgary, the missionaries enjoyed their service and respected and revered Sterling, but they loved Marilyn! Many times, Sterling Spafford was the brand, but Marilyn created the ingredients. Together, they created family memories including trips to Moab, National Parks, Colter Bay and Laguna Beach. He loved to organize family trips and cruises. She went along and helped him make them great.
His testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was strong. His knowledge and application of Church doctrine was evident in the way he lived. His teaching and example lead so many in his family and those touched by his ministry to follow the path of righteousness.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, children Susan (Dale) Buxton, Oakley, Utah, David (Susan) Spafford, Salt Lake City, Utah, son in law Hal Whitney, Parker, Colorado, daughter in law Kathy Spafford, Draper, Utah, sister Marianne (Bud) McDonald, Bountiful, Utah, and brother Lynn (Marilyn) Spafford, St. George, Utah. He counted in his posterity 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by children Michael Sterling Spafford, Joni Spafford Whitney and Paul Weldon Spafford, parents, and brother, Stan Spafford.
In St. George, Utah, Friends may call Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 6:30-8pm at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W St. George Blvd. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive in Salt Lake City. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT and 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Monument Park Stake Center prior to the service. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Utah Autism Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary.
St. George, Utah-Reed Sterling Spafford passed peacefully May 15, 2013 in St. George, Utah, following a decline in health over the past year. Through it all, and typical of his entire life, he persevered with a positive mental attitude.
He was born in Pocatello, Idaho on July 19, 1931 to Reed Spafford and Samantha Leona Reynolds. He attended schools in Salt Lake City, graduating from South High School (1948) and taking his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Utah (1956). He married Marilyn Fowles in the Salt Lake Temple on December 28, 1953.
He will be fondly remembered for his service to church, community and family. A life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, he served in multiple callings. He served a proselyting mission in the Great Lakes Mission (1951-1953). He served in bishoprics, on the High Council and in the Stake Presidency of the Monument Park Stake (1974-1984). He was a gifted teacher and speaker. He served as Mission President over the Canada Calgary Mission (1985-1988). He served his country in the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps (1953-1955). He served in Rotary International as President of the South Salt Lake Club (1982-1983), District Governor for Utah District 5420 (1996-1997), Foundation Chairman (1997- 1998) and District Advisory Committee (1997-2005), and is a Paul Harris Fellow and was at the time of his death a member in good standing of the St. George Club. He extended his service as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Deseret Foundation, IHC Health Plans, Dixie Regional Medical Center Foundation, and as a Member of the National Advisory Council of Dixie State College.
He brought great enthusiasm to his career, and "Spaff" will be particularly remembered and respected for his organizational skills and work ethic by colleagues and dear friends at UARCO Business Forms, Galbraith & Green, Inc. and RJ Salisbury & Associates.
In every act of service, in every successful pursuit, and in every moment at home, Sterling relied upon his sweetheart of 59 years, Marilyn. They two were one in so many endeavors, each knowing the role and acting the part. When the Spafford's presided in Canada Calgary, the missionaries enjoyed their service and respected and revered Sterling, but they loved Marilyn! Many times, Sterling Spafford was the brand, but Marilyn created the ingredients. Together, they created family memories including trips to Moab, National Parks, Colter Bay and Laguna Beach. He loved to organize family trips and cruises. She went along and helped him make them great.
His testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was strong. His knowledge and application of Church doctrine was evident in the way he lived. His teaching and example lead so many in his family and those touched by his ministry to follow the path of righteousness.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, children Susan (Dale) Buxton, Oakley, Utah, David (Susan) Spafford, Salt Lake City, Utah, son in law Hal Whitney, Parker, Colorado, daughter in law Kathy Spafford, Draper, Utah, sister Marianne (Bud) McDonald, Bountiful, Utah, and brother Lynn (Marilyn) Spafford, St. George, Utah. He counted in his posterity 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by children Michael Sterling Spafford, Joni Spafford Whitney and Paul Weldon Spafford, parents, and brother, Stan Spafford.
In St. George, Utah, Friends may call Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 6:30-8pm at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W St. George Blvd. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive in Salt Lake City. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT and 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Monument Park Stake Center prior to the service. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Utah Autism Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary.
