|
|
Cary George Peterson
1/10/1935 ~ 4/10/20/26
Cary George Peterson was born on 10 February 1935 in Cedar Fort Utah, to James E. Peterson and Lucille Worthen Peterson. He passed away on 10 April 2026 at his home in Nephi, Utah.
Cary was raised in Cedar Fort, Utah, on a wheat farm and cattle ranch. He was the third born of seven sons to Lucille and James.
He graduated from Lehi High School and then attended Utah State University, where he worked as an electrician, was enrolled, and was active in the ROTC. He studied Math and Music and gained a teaching certificate. He began teaching junior high school, then high school. He worked in the Alpine, North Summit, and Juab School districts.
While in Logan, he met and married Ila RaNee Painter on 30 June 1956 in the Manti, Utah, Temple. They eventually settled in Nephi, Utah, where Cary lived the rest of his life. Once in Nephi, the couple began farming and ranching while Cary was teaching Math and Chorus at the High School. He loved musicals and led and taught many of them to the students at Juab High School. Cary was an accomplished singer performing for many local, civic, cultural, and personal events.
Farming became a full-time job for Cary, and he began farming and buying cattle. In the beginning, he partnered with his father-in-law, Fred Painter. They purchased leased land and worked hard at dry land wheat and cattle. Cary soon became a very large operator partnering with his son, Darin, in Juab, Sanpete, Millard counties in Utah, and in Bear Lake, Idaho.
While farming, he was active in the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, where he began to develop political interests. He ran for the Utah State House of Representatives, where he served 12 years, serving as the House Whip and Majority Leader. He then ran for the Utah Senate, where he was elected and served 20 years as the Majority Leader. As a senator, he represented Juab, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, Piute, Cedar, and Garfield Counties. He was president of the Western States Governors, and then chosen by Utah Governor Mike Leavitt to be the Utah Commissioner of Agriculture. He served in the Governor’s Cabinet as commissioner for 12 years before retiring to a full-time farmer and rancher. His favorite quote to speak to farmers and ranchers is this: ”Every Generation must earn anew what was lent to them by their forefathers, if they are allowed to keep it.” He believed in working hard in life and on the farm and ranch.
Cary was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served on many callings within the ward, including Sunday School President, Elders Quorum, Choir Director, Chorister, Teacher, and High Councilman. He worked in the Payson, Utah Temple as an ordinance worker.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife RaNee, and brothers Herbert (infant), Sherwin, Paul, Vernon (infant), and Michael (infant).
He is survived by three children, Michael (Rosalie) Peterson of Nephi, Utah, Darin (JoEllen) Peterson of Tremonton, Utah, and Angela (Shand) Rasmusson of Haworth, Oklahoma, fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and a brother, Jay Peterson of St. Anthony, Idaho. He will be remembered for: his quiet, formidable strength, his ability to stay calm and in control, his knowledge of history and patriotism, his love for this land, and the beauty of the earth. He had a kind, giving love for his children and grandchildren, a unique sense of trust and belief in them. He is, was, and will be the steady, firm rock to each push against to gain strength and find our meaning, and he will be dearly missed.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:00 am with a viewing one hour prior at the Nephi 4th Ward Church, 355 E 500 N, Nephi, Utah. Sunday evening, April 19, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 94 W 300 N, Nephi, Utah. Interment, Nephi Vine Bluff Cemetery.
Norman Claude Whiting
2/20/1942 ~ 11/12/2025
He assed away quietly and peacefully on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. He was born on February 20, 1942 to Edward Monroe Whiting and Anna Lena Nelson Whiting. His childhood was one of adventure and laughter—the stories of him with his brothers and their friends are nothing short of legendary. This carried throughout most of his life.
In 1969, he boldly purchased the Jack Frost Drive-In in Payson, Utah, and soon moved his family there. He transformed the business and became a beloved leader in both his church and community. He loved helping others succeed—even his competitors—often sharing supplies and advice to help them through hard times. He had a gift for seeing good in every situation and beauty in unlikely places. He loved the Lord and followed the Savior’s example of generosity. He always gave all he had—and often even more. His life was a legacy of love, service, and optimism - an example for us all to follow.
Dad was as funny as he was generous. A master storyteller, he could spin fables and tall tales so well that truth itself seemed dull by comparison. His laugh was infectious making every story better, and his favorite pastime was getting someone to take the bait on one of his tall tales so he could proudly “hang them on the wall” in his imaginary trophy room. To this day, we’re still not sure which stories were true and which were pure imagination—and we like it that way.
There’s one story he never told, but we will: After selling the Drive-In and returning to Juab County, he was asked to oversee concessions for the Ute Stampede. His quiet leadership and improvements increased efficiency and sales, prompting the Stake President to say, “It only took us 45 years to learn how to make a hamburger.”
He is survived by his children Ken (Vicki) Whiting, Kerry (Cecy) Whiting, Korby (Maria) Whiting, Kandus (Brian) Bell, (14) grandchildren, (18) great-grandchildren, brothers Bud (Karen Marie) Whiting, Blaine (Carol) Whiting, Raymond (Claudia) Whiting. Preceded in death by his parents Edward and Anna Lena Whiting, sisters Ruby Vonda Whiting, Selma (Ellis Collin) Green, Delores (Dewey Ross) Hanks, brothers Oris Edward (Helen Estelle) Whiting, Merle (Elizabeth Ellen) Whiting, Glen (Connie Ann) Whiting, Delose (Patricia Ann) Whiting.
The family thanks the staff and administrators at Laurel Groves and Central Valley Medical Center for the compassionate care and service provided to dad.
There will be a graveside service on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11 am at the Vine Bluff Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of Anderson Funeral Home, Nephi, Utah.
|