Jack Sundwall McAllister

 

 

John (Jack) Sundwall McAllister

11/8/1938 ~ 2/11/2021

  Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John (Jack) Sundwall McAllister, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 82. Jack was born Nov. 8, 1938, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to John Savage McAllister and Nellie Brady Sundwall.

     Jack attended Wasatch Academy, graduated from BYU with a BA degree, and received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah Law School.  He often claimed his best decision in life was to marry his high school sweetheart and eternal companion Joan Laree Stevens on June 23, 1962 in the Manti Temple. Together they have enjoyed 58 wonderful years of marriage and five children. His greatest pleasure came from his family whom he loved with all his heart.  He enjoyed reading and collecting books, spending time at his family cabin, and making sure everyone else was taken care of.

     Described as the ultimate gentleman, Jack created friends and associates from all walks of life.  He was known as a man of integrity, very trusted in relationships, doing business all his life with a handshake, and was extremely generous. Jack was a good and honorable man who knew the importance of family and friends.  He saw the best in everyone he knew regardless of their background.

     Jack was devoted to his family, church, sheep ranch and community. He commuted to Salt Lake City weekly for over 30 years so his children could be raised in his beloved Sanpete. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in his callings. As a young missionary he served in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. He also served as a teacher, in multiple stake high councils, as high priest group leader, ward mission leader, bishopric counselor, and as bishop of the Ephraim YSA 9th Ward where he was loved by the members.

     Jack has managed the Fairview Land and Livestock Sheep Ranch for the past 39 years. He recently presided over the 150-year celebration of its organization as the Fairview Co-op.  He felt strongly of his stewardship and used the ranch to connect his children and grandchildren to his parents and grandparents.  He appreciated the sheep industry and camaraderie amongst other woolgrowers in the area.

     His professional career started with the law firm of Barker and Rydberg. He served as Sanpete County Attorney for four years. For over 30 years he worked as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Utah. He was legal counsel for Snow College, among other colleges in the state. Jack was instrumental in building a state school in the Four Corners region for the Navajo Nation. He worked with the State Trust Lands and was recognized with the “Friends of Children“ award from the State PTA for his efforts. 

     He served on the Board of Trustees for Sanpete Valley Hospital for 37 years and served two terms on the Board of Trustees at Wasatch Academy. Jack worked on the Manti La-Sal National forest resource advisory committee.  He also loved the Fairview Museum and served in various positions for 30 years.

      Jack was a big advocate of Scouting, earning his Eagle Scout award, completing Wood Badge, and serving as a Wood Badge counselor.  He was a recipient of the Second Miler Award and the Silver Beaver Award. He devoted resources and time in helping and developing boys to become good men.

      Jack loved music. He played the trumpet in high school and college marching bands. He loved to sing, and performed for many years in ward and stake choirs and in the Mt Pleasant Community Easter Offering.

      Jack is survived by his wife Joan, and children: Steve McAllister, Lori (Troy) Birch, Richard (Jenny) McAllister, David (Emily) McAllister, Kathryn (Jason) Carrillo; 14 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Scott (Lora) McAllister, Clark (Linda) Brockbank, Wayne (Nancy) Brockbank and Anne (Brett) Woodard.  Preceded in death by his parents John and Nellie McAllister, and stepmother Helen Brockbank McAllister. 

      In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Fairview Museum or Wasatch Academy.

A viewing will be held Friday, February 19, 2021 from 6-8 pm at the Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center, 461 N. 300 W. Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11.00 am on Saturday February 20, 2021. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery. 

Live Zoom  Link will activate just prior to services. 

Oliver Carl Smith

 

Oliver Carl Smith, 86 returned to his Heavenly Father on February 2, 2021. He was born August 26, 1934, in Mt. Pleasant, Utah to Sherman Smith and Olive Anna Ellen Truscott. 

Oliver grew up working hard spending his summers herding sheep with his Father and Brothers in the beautiful Manti-La Sal mountains above Mt. Pleasant. He has many fond memories, racing across the mountains on his beloved horse Tootsie. He developed a love for agriculture, especially livestock and horses. Oliver was a star athlete and excelled in Basketball, Football, and Tennis. He and his brother Allen were an unbeatable pair on the basketball court playing for North Sanpete High School. 

He graduated from North Sanpete High School and soon after proudly served his country in the United States Army. His commendations in the Army include Sharpshooter (Rifle), Expert (Carbine), and Good Conduct Medal. While in the Army he played on the Army’s Tennis team playing matches throughout the United States. 

After being honorably discharged from the Army he began his career as a journeyman carpenter. He became a master of his trade and started his own successful construction company in Mt. Pleasant. In addition to a construction company, he raised sheep and Quarter horses. Oliver married Louise Swensen in 1971. They divorced after 22 years of marriage. This marriage produced three wonderful sons- Justen, Carl, and John. 

 

Oliver instilled in his sons the values of hard work and service. He taught them a love of the outdoors, firearms, agriculture, camping, hunting, and sports. Many memories were made on horseback rides from Mt. Pleasant up Pleasant Creek and over the mountain into the canyons lining Miller’s flat for family camping trips. He taught his sons responsibility by teaching them how to raise livestock and horses, work construction, and haul hay. 

Oliver was a cowboy and loved western movies, especially John Wayne and country music. He was proud of the beautiful home he built himself in Mt. Pleasant and was able to raise his family there. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching NFL Football and NBA Basketball games, especially the Dallas Cowboys and Utah Jazz. Later in life, 

Oliver reunited with his high school sweetheart Nancy Staker and they were married on August 4, 1998. They spent 23 amazing years together and his sweetheart was by his side when he passed.

 Oliver and Nancy spent their years together pulling their travel trailer throughout the western United States. Oliver was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many capacities and callings. He was always first to volunteer for service opportunities. 

The family was everything to Oliver and he loved his wife, sons, and grandchildren dearly. Oliver is survived by his wife Nancy R. Smith, three sons- Justen (Zara) Smith, Farmington; Carl (Leslie) Smith, West Bountiful; John (Rachelle) Smith, Sandy as well as 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

 Due to COVID-19 there will only be a graveside service on February 13, 2021, at 1:00 pm at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Online condolences and live stream link at rasmussenmortuary.com