Joan LaRee McAllister

October 28, 1940 — July 14, 2024

Mount Pleasant

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Joan LaRee Stevens McAllister passed away Friday, July 12, 2024 in Mount Pleasant, Utah at the age of 83. Joan was born October 28, 1940 in Cedar City, Utah, to Arnold Yardley Stevens and Claris Anna Mortenson.

Joan and her sisters, Beverly and Portia, were well known in the community. She often talked about how idyllic their childhood was growing up in Mount Pleasant. Joan attended North Sanpete High School where she was a drum majorette, cheerleader, a member of the student senate, and was always involved in social activities. She attended Snow College where she was homecoming queen, participated in many student organizations and graduated with an Associate of Science degree. Joan also graduated from USU with a degree in elementary and secondary education.

She married her high school sweetheart and eternal companion, John S. "Jack" McAllister on June 23, 1962 in the Manti temple. Together they enjoyed 58 wonderful years of marriage and five children. Jack and their children were her greatest joy. She supported them tirelessly and helped them to progress in many areas of life.

She taught school for 4 years, supporting her husband through law school and was a substitute teacher for 23 years. Many people in the valley remember her as their substitute teacher and knew she loved them. For over 30 years, Joan raised their children in Mount Pleasant while Jack worked in Salt Lake during the week. The weekends were reserved for ranch work. After voicing stern opposition (which was ignored) she became an integral part of the ranch, including cooking during shearing season on the west desert and safety flagging behind sheep herds. As empty nesters, Joan occasionally "persuaded" Jack to leave Sanpete County to enjoy some vacations.

Joan was the ultimate friend-maker, making and keeping many life-long friends. She reached out to neighbors and move-ins and absolutely loved to visit with them. She always had a smile and a positive outlook on life. She loved people and thrived when involved in the community, on committees, and in organizations. Service to others was Joan's calling in life. She continued her mother's love of calling and singing happy birthday to people. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many of her children's clothes. Joan organized and taught these skills to many children through the 4-H program. She enjoyed compiling family history, being involved in the PTA, and working with the Snow College Golden Badgers. Joan loved the relationships formed through her membership in the DUP. She would cancel anything to attend DUP.

Joan loved music. She made music a focal point in her life and in her family's life. She extended that to the community by participating in choirs, leading singing, and organizing musical numbers. One of the highlights of her life was creating, organizing, and singing in the Easter Musical Offering. Her participation for almost three decades helped create a strong annual Mount Pleasant tradition. She enjoyed attending plays, musicals, and community events with her dear friends.

Joan had a strong and undeniable testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served faithfully in many callings, including Relief Society president, primary, Temple Ordinance worker, Boy Scouts, and her favorite, music leader.

Our family, and the community is better because of Joan's positive and sincere loving influence on the people around her.

Joan is survived by her children: Steve McAllister, Lori (Troy) Birch, Richard (Jenny) McAllister, David (Emily) McAllister, Kathryn (Jason) Carrillo; 14 grandchildren, and seven and 8/9ths great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters: Beverly (Doug) Jensen, and Portia (Jerry) Boggess. Preceded in death by her husband, Jack McAllister, and her parents, Arnold and Claris Stevens.

A viewing will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and Friday, July 19 from 9:00 - 10:30 am at the Mount Pleasant North Stake Center, 461 N. 300 W. Mount Pleasant, Utah. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment in the Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.

 

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.