Paul Johnson Sperry

Paul Johnson Sperry, also known as Jack, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, died April 28, 2024, just 19 days before his 98^th birthday surrounded by his family.  A service to celebrate and honor his life will be held May 4, at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 56 South 1300 West, Pleasant Grove. Viewing will be from 9:00am to 9:45am.   

Paul was born May 17, 1926, in Clifton, Idaho, a small farming community.  His earliest memories include feeding the sheep, rabbits, horses and pigs, as well as milking the cows and working in the garden.    The family raised alfalfa hay, grains, peas, potatoes, sugar beets, and raspberries.  He was taught to work to put food on the table.   He attended Clifton Grade School for the first eight years.   When he was in third grade, he received a certificate for neither being tardy nor absent for the entire year.  He went on to Clifton High School where he was the Salutatorian of his Senior Class.   His Senior class consisted of two boys and five girls.   Paul married his sweetheart, Alden Swainston on August 5, 1946, in Jerome, ID.  The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 15, 1966.   

After Paul’s third child was born, he worked part time for Soil Conservation out of Preston.  He enjoyed learning about surveying and began working full time for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. These job assignments would take him from Cornish, to Rupert, American Falls, Yakima Washington, The Dalles Oregon, Prineville Oregon, Roseville California, Provo Utah, Carson City Nevada, back to Roseville, Provo Utah then back to Roseville.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he served faithfully in many callings including President of the Young Men’s Program (Prineville, OR), Stake Clerk (Roseville, CA) for over seven years, Librarian (Provo, UT) High Priest Group Leader (Carson City, NV), and 16 years as the Financial Stake Clerk (Roseville, CA).        

Paul’s skills and knowledge were sought after, he retired from the Bureau in 1986, only to be called back three times.   After retirement, Paul and Alden moved to Preston, Idaho, then to Pleasant Grove to be closer to their children.    

All the children and grandchildren would talk about the luck of Grandpa.  He won a trip to Hawaii and Tahti, a $1,000 prize and could always find the closest parking place.   Paul also enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing softball, gardening, making ice cream and doing puzzles.

He has four children,  Tamara Harshberger (Gerald),  Robert Wayne (Ruthanne),  Jill LaVine (Douglas) and Beverly Dunn (Michael); 17grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.  

Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Alden Swainston; his parents Ivo John Sperry and Lenea Muriel Johnson, his six sisters and one brother.     

Interment at Clifton Idaho Cemetery.