Ray Paskett

Ray E. Paskett

1930 ~ 2024

We are brokenhearted—and yet also relieved and happy—to announce the passing of our wonderful and much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend Ray Edgar Paskett, an amazing man who left indelible footprints in our hearts. We love him and look forward to a happy reunion through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is carrying us through this difficult time.

Ray was born in the beautiful little farming town of Henefer, Utah on July 23, 1930. He worked hard and long days with his parents, his two brothers and his beautiful sister, Alta Garrett, who he loved greatly and who always had great care and concern for him throughout his life. He had a life filled with amazing physical stamina from his work ethic and loved gardening, fishing, camping and running marathons, running over twenty marathons and even running 56 miles from his home in Alpine to his childhood home in Henefer in less than a day. He was often seen working with his familiar wide-brimmed hat so he could spend long hours in the sun enjoying his garden and property. He left a trail of abundant evergreen and fruit trees wherever he lived.

After moving to Salt Lake and graduating from East High School in 1947, he attended the University of Utah for a short time before he served an LDS mission to the North Central States (1950-1951). Afterward he returned to school before signing up for the Army and serving in the Korean War as a Military Intelligence Officer (1955-1956). He then came home and earned his B.S. and M.S. Degrees from Brigham Young University in 1960. He married Ann Taylor and that union brought forth ten wonderful children. They were later divorced. He married Ann Schneider Bailey. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Provo Temple. Their union added her four children and two of their own together, making a huge “yours, mine and ours” family that has brought “happy chaos” to everyone’s lives. That chaos now totals 16 children, 70 grandkids and 72 great grandkids–with many more to come.

Ray’s career was wide and varied, beginning with teaching seminary (in which the students loved him and maintained contact, some for the rest of his life). He worked for LDS Social Services before becoming a developer and builder in the 1970s. Ray returned to earn a second Master’s Degree at the ripe old age of 58 and worked at the Alpine School District for 15 years as a school psychologist, often seeing his beautiful grandchildren during that time and creating special memories of their time together. He was a hard and conscientious worker who loved people, trying to serve them with all of his heart—and often championing the unheard and unseen. He also served in many various callings in the LDS church, including a mission at the Church College in the Suva, Fiji Mission with his wife (2007-2008). He also loved his six years as an ordinance worker in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

Ray died peacefully at the home he built with his own hands in Alpine, surrounded by loving family, on January 18, 2024. We thank the nurses and hospice personnel from Dignity Hospice who were so patient and kind to him during his illness.

Ray had such a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and often shared, with teary eyes, His undying love of the Savior. He was a man that exuded faith and love and earned the deep love of his wife, children, step-children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. His greatest legacy was the love, patience and devotion he showed to anyone he interacted with. His one-on-one attention to each will be greatly and sorely missed. He truly was a man of God and we will miss his presence deeply.

Ray is survived by his wife, Ann Paskett; children, Trish (Doug) Schneider; Ruth (Greg) Davidson; David (Merlene) Paskett; Keith (Barbara) Paskett; Julie (Dan) Jensen; John (Shelley) Paskett; Amy (Dave) Stillman; Scott (Nadeane) Paskett; Mark (Melody) Paskett; Sara (Spencer) Ray; Rachel (Todd) Allen; Matt (Katelyn) Paskett; Carey “Digi” (Gary) Nunley; Kelly (Cory) Powell; Brooke (Mike) Gillett; 70 grandkids and 72 great-grandkids. Preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Anna Paskett; two brothers, Keith and Johnny Paskett, his sister, Alta Garrett, and his stepson, Billy Bailey.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held Saturday February 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fort Canyon Chapel located at 890 North Heritage Hills Drive in Alpine, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Warenski Funeral Home located at 1776 North 900 East, American Fork. An additional viewing will occur at the Fort Canyon Chapel on Saturday February 3, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. 

The Zoom broadcast link for the service will start at 11 a.m. at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88280084997?pwd=RXJSdklTS292Q2d3dlc4Z05ZeTJZUT09