Calvin Simper Obituary (1928 - 2023)

Calvin Simper 1928 – 2023 Cal Simper passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 16, 2023, in Holladay, Utah at the age of 95. He was born on January 8, 1928 to John Simper and Mary Evelyn Curtis Simper in Vernal, Utah. He was the youngest of six sons. He grew up in Taylorsville and graduated from Granite High School a year early. After school he worked on the family farm and as a truck driver for W.P. Fuller Company in Salt Lake City from 1949 until 1950 when he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War. He served as a combat infantryman (Sergeant First Class) in the 40th Infantry Division, 160th Infantry Regiment. When he returned home from Korea he went back to work on his father’s farm, while also working at Boy’s Market, a small grocery store where his older brother, Lorin, was the manager. He married Edith Doreen Fye in 1953. They were married for 23 years (later divorced) and had three children together, Jay, Larry and Suzi. During their marriage Cal attended the University of Utah, graduating with a B.S. in Accounting. After graduation, he was offered a position at the University in the College of Pharmacy, as Assistant to the Dean, where he managed the budget for the College of Pharmacy until his retirement. Later in life, Cal married Jacquie Elwood and they have had nearly 43 wonderful years together. Throughout his struggle with dementia, she cared for him with such deep love, compassion, and devotion. Together Cal and Jacquie have a combined family of eight children, 31 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Grandpa “Cow” as he was affectionately known was dearly loved by his grandkids and great grandkids. The little ones were especially drawn to him. He loved to make them laugh, was a ready and willing participant in their many games, would get down on the floor with them and play or play ball in the yard and never seemed to get tired. Cal loved football and basketball and was an avid Utes and Utah Jazz fan. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, outdoor activities, and playing card games. He had a brilliant mind and was good at so many things, but especially anything involving numbers and math. He was funny and fun to be around. He had a wonderful laugh and found humor in everyday things. He liked the simple things in life and vanilla ice cream was his favorite treat. Cal is survived by his wife Jacquie, three children and four stepchildren, Jay (Kari) Simper, Larry Simper, Suzanne Kaye, Wendy Young (Dennis), Mark Elwood (Lori), John Elwood and Michael Elwood (Dannika), and his 31 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loved ones. He was deeply loved by his family and his kindness, gentleness, patience, quiet nature, sense of humor, generosity, and kind heart will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents (John and Mary Simper), five brothers (Wayne, John Wilbert, Kenneth, Lorin, and John Vay Simper), and stepson Matthew Elwood. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the administrators and staff at Spring Gardens Memory Care and Inspiration Home Health and Hospice for the kindness and compassionate care they provided to Cal and to his family during his final days. A private graveside service with full military honors will be held. If desired, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/donate). Link below.