Art Pasker

Arthur Eugene Pasker passed away peacefully at his home in Murray on December 24, 2021, from complications due to cancer. He was surrounded by his wife Martha and family and had spent the afternoon telling fishing stories with his dear friend of many years, John Riches. Art and John had spent many days together fishing and hunting and neither wanted to admit who had last caught the biggest fish. Their last great fishing adventure had ended with both of them, in their 80s, perched atop Art’s SUV after it got stuck in the middle of a creek during a flash flood while returning from Crittenden in Nevada. This was just one of many grand adventures that Art shared with family and friends during his 88 wonderful years.

Art was born in Denver, Colorado in 1933. Art came from a humble background. Everything he accomplished was based on his hard work and the support of loving family and friends. Art’s teen years were spent in Colorado Springs. It was there that he first developed his love of fishing and hunting. He loved telling the story of him and several friends camping out in the mountains living on fish and canned food after a severe winter storm snowed them in in the mountains above town. Art passed this love of the outdoors to his family and on to countless Scouts in the neighborhood.

After starting his study of architecture at Denver University, in 1951 Art moved to Salt Lake to finish his studies at the University of Utah. Art worked his way through college and graduated from the University of Utah in 1956 and began his career as an architect. Moving to Salt Lake brought him in contact with three things that were a constant throughout his life; his beautiful wife Martha, his love for the University of Utah, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Art and Martha met at the University and married on September 24, 1956. Together they spent 65 wonderful years together. They settled in Murray, Utah and became a strength to the community. Art and Martha raised six children: Keith, Kevin, Kris, Becky, Sandy, and Kelley. Their home was filled with laughter and chaos, and sometimes water if the Big Cottonwood Creek didn’t cooperate during the spring runoff. Their lovely yard on the Creek hosted countless wedding receptions and parties.

Art was very involved with the youth of the community. Although not a member of the Church early in his marriage, he was fully involved in Church activities including Scouting, which he loved all his life. Seeing an article in a magazine about home-made canoes, Art and the neighborhood boys ended up building over 100 fiberglass canoes. The resulting trips to Yellowstone were legendary with a new winter crew building canoes in preparation for the Yellowstone outing the next summer.

Art spent his professional life as an architect. In 1963 Holland, McGill & Pasker was organized and a career that has spanned decades creating beautiful buildings can be seen throughout the valley. Today his son, Kris Pasker, runs Pasker, Gould, Ames, and Weaver, the firm that Art founded and ran for over 50 years. Art loved building and he loved being in charge.

Art was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1969. He was hesitant at first about joining but since his life revolved around his family and service, it seemed a natural fit. His best friend and hunting buddy, John Riches, was instrumental in teaching Art the Gospel. Art and Martha were sealed to each other and to their children on March 21, 1972, in the Salt Lake Temple. Art served in many callings in the Church but enjoyed his calling as Branch President of the IHC Hospital Branch the most. He just loved organizing this unique ministry and serving the many members in need who were patients in the hospital. As a bonus his Sacrament Meetings at the Hospital only lasted 30 minutes and many of his family spoke during those meetings. When it came to service, Art was a doer.

Art was keenly aware of the many blessings in his life that came from supportive friends and organizations. He has been a lifelong supporter of the Boys and Girls Club. He served on the board of directors for decades. The Boy Scouts received similar devotion from Art. He served as a ward committee chairman, Granite Trail District Chairman, and on the Executive Board of the Great Salt Lake Council. As the program chairman for the 2004 Jamboral committee, he designed over 21 trading pins and patches. In 1982 he received the Silver Beaver award for his support of Scouting.

Art loved being a “Utah Man.” A devoted Crimson Club member, Art was firmly in his seat in Rice-Eccles Stadium cheering on his beloved Utes even as his health failed. He was a fixture at Utah football and basketball games, and he was always surrounded by family. He loved watching, talking, critiquing and Monday morning quarterbacking Utah, the Jazz and even BYU. Even as his heath failed, he stayed to the end of every game. It didn’t matter if Utah won or lost, if you went with Art, you knew you stayed until the final whistle.

Art was the president of AMICUS (Deseret Foundation) in 2009 and received the Gold Caduceus Award along with Martha for their humanitarian service on behalf of Intermountain Health Care Urban Central Regional Hospitals. He also served on various other Murray City boards and committees, including the Chamber of Commerce and Planning and Zoning.

One of Art's loves was his Jaguar Mark V drop head convertible which he found abandoned in a building scheduled to be torn down and that he lovingly restored. A longtime member of the Jaguar Club of Utah, Art loved showing his car and talking about this unique machine. He was a favorite at local parades and car shows.

Art loved life and loved his family, and they buoyed his spirits. He passed knowing that he had left behind a legacy of service and devotion to family that will bless his posterity for the ages.

Art loved his family. His best days were with his family. He is survived by his wife Martha, their children Keith (Michele), Kevin (Barbara) and Kris (Beth) and Becky (Chris), Sandy (Mike) and Kelley (David) 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way, and his sister Margie. He is preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donating to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. A viewing will be held on January 5, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home at 4706 S. State Street in Murray. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing prior 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 363 E. Vine Street, Murray, Utah 84107. Interment in the Herriman City Cemetery.