Seth Leroy Mcpherson Jr.

Seth LeRoy McPherson Jr. passed away peacefully on August 1, 2017 surrounded by his family, after suffering from a stroke. Seth was born on August 23, 1935 to Seth Leroy McPherson Sr. and Coquella Memmott McPherson in Mills America, Utah, the eighth of nine children. Seth was raised, grew up and lived in Mills and Nephi, Utah, his entire life. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seth married his sweetheart and "the prettiest girl he had ever seen," Arlene Stephensen on March 23, 1956, they were later sealed in the Manti temple. Seth and Arlene originally met at the old Ray's Café. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year and the couple was inseparable. They loved being together, going to all the kids and grandkids events, birthdays, sporting events, etc. Together Seth and Arlene left a huge legacy to their family and to the community.

Seth took over the family farm and ranch in Mills at an early age when his father passed away in 1958. Seth was just 24 years old, but he had worked alongside his father all his life. Seth has been a farmer and rancher all his life and worked for the Nephi City water department for several years and various construction jobs throughout his life. However, Mills was truly where Seth was from and where he loved to be. Farming and ranching was his life and he raised his family the farming and ranching way. Seth has instilled and passed on the tradition and his knowledge of farming and ranching and hard work to his children and grandchildren. Many of Seth's best memories come from working side by side with his family whether it be on the farm, in the garden, in the yard, on the horse, on the mountain, working cattle, branding calves, fixing or building fence, building a house, laying tile, canning peaches, the list could go on. His best days have been spent on his horse with his family taking care of the cattle. They all love the special memories they have made working together on the "Turd Head Ranch." If there was work to be done Seth was there to help or "boss" to make sure it was done right. No matter how hard the work was, Dad had a way of making the work fun. Even on his last day, Seth went to Mills, as he did every day, to make sure everything was ok and to do a little work. Seth was a true cowboy. Mills America lost its favorite son.

Seth has held multiple volunteer positions within the community supporting the wonderful heritage that we all love and enjoy here in Juab County. He has served as president, board member, and water master of the Juab Lake Irrigation Co. He has also served as a board member and as president of the Juab County Livestock Association. Seth sat on the Cattleman's Association Board, Farm Bureau Board, and ASCS Board. He was the Farmers Home Administration Loan representative for Juab County. He has been a member of both the Levan and Nephi Riding Clubs in years past. Seth was also the Juab County honoree for the 2009 National Day of the American Cowboy at Ogden's Pioneer Days Rodeo. He was the selected as Grand Marshal of the 2014 Ute Stampede Western Parade.

Those who know Seth McPherson, know that he is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Seth is loved by all who know him for his honesty, integrity, hard work, patriotism, and knowledge of farming and ranching. Seth and his sweetheart Arlene were recently honored to be the grand marshals of the annual Ute Stampede heritage parade. They were honored to be chosen and support the local celebration.

Seth is survived by his beautiful wife Arlene McPherson, his five children Koye (Kelly) Andersen, Roy (Barbara) McPherson, David (Brenda) McPherson, Ann (Mike) Jones and Michael (Shannon) McPherson, 22 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren with more on the way, sister Margaret Hill, Salt Lake City, brother Thomas (Donna) McPherson, Nephi. Seth was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mark Robbins, sisters Ethyl Topley, Mary Ann DeJong, Colleen Ewell, Florence Lovass, and Edith Pickering, great-granddaughters Makayla McPherson and Reggie Bell.

Funeral services will be Saturday August 5, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. in the Nephi Utah Stake Center, 351 N 100 W, Nephi, Utah. There will be a viewing Friday, August 4, 2017, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m and one hour prior to the services on Saturday, at the Nephi Utah Stake Center. Interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery, Nephi, Utah.