Kay Stuart

Russell Kay Stuart, 91, passed away January 9, 2018, at his home in Nephi. He was born April 12, 1926, to Russell Hendry and Caroline B Stuart in Wellsville, Utah.

Kay lived in Wellsville, Utah, where he worked with his dad and grandparents on the farm, learned to milk cows and put up hay. At age 8, his family moved to California during the depression. He enjoyed exploring the Los Angeles area on his bike and loved to sell newspapers at the Los Angeles Coliseum, so he could watch the football games and eat all the ice cream he wanted. At age 15, he moved with his family to Nephi and drove truck delivering war goods.

He graduated from Juab High school and was then drafted into the army during WWII. He served in the 34th Infantry regiment from September 16, 1944, to November 23, 1946. He was stationed in Japan and the Philippines.  He received a Purple Heart as well as the Asiatic Pacific Companion Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Kay married his high school sweetheart, Marba Janice Jenkins, in the Manti LDS Temple on January 17, 1947. It was love at first sight when he saw her after moving to Nephi. They were married for 43 years before her death on February 27, 1990.  On September 28, 1991, Kay married Janet Westering Wright and they have enjoyed 26 years together.

Kay owned and operated the Nephi Café and Hotel with his father. After selling the café, he worked for Nephi City maintenance, Intermountain Farmers and retired from the Utah Department of Transportation in 1990.  His other full-time employment was his farm where he raised various crops and Suffolk Sheep.

Kay was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served as a Stake Sunday School Superintendent, Aaronic Priesthood Advisor, Bishop's Counselor, Stake High Counselor and as a Temple Ordinance Worker for 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marba, and daughter-in-law Becky G. Stuart. He is survived by his wife, Janet, 4 children; Becky Lynn (Frank) Eliason, Robert Gregory (Glenna) Stuart, Dennis J Stuart, and Janice (Paul) Gregory; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 5 stepchildren, Lee (TehSook) Wright, Julie (Will) Leigh, Nathan Wright, Sonya Ward, Mareah (Justin) Archibald; 11 step grandchildren; 5 step great-grandchildren; and his sister, Helen Carol Barnes.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018, in the Nephi 4th and 5th Ward Building, 345 East 500 North, Nephi. A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2018, at the Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 South, Nephi. An additional viewing will be held at the church Saturday morning, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the Funeral. Interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery, 1200 North 400 East, Nephi, following the funeral service.

Special thanks to Drs. Rosenbeck and Oveson, all those who cared for Kay at the CVMC, and to those who provided home health care: Theresa, Miranda, and Julieann.