James Boucher

James Boucher
Elsinore, Utah

    James Allen Boucher was a beloved son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and friend to all.  James graduated with honors from this life, at the age of 86, on Thursday, August 10, 2023 with his loving family, in his home in Elsinore. He was born June 26, 1937 in Murray, the second of five children born to James William Boucher and Luzell Cahoon Boucher.  “Jimmy” had a zest for life, and a great love for his parents and his brother and sisters. 
    James attended Helix High School in La Mesa, California.  His main focus while in high school was agriculture upon his graduation in 1956. After high school, he served an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fayetteville, Arkansas Mission. Soon after his mission, James attended Brigham Young University in Provo, where he studied business and science. More importantly, while attending BYU, James met and courted the beautiful Torla Henrie. They fell in love and later married and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Utah Temple on January 31, 1964. 
    Shortly after their marriage, James and Torla relocated to Hawaii where they attended the Church College of Hawaii together. James graduated from college with a Bachelor's of Science degree. During their time in Hawaii, James enlisted in the Air Force National Guard and he was later honorably discharged. James’ patriotism cannot be overstated. He loved our country with his whole being.  
    Over the next seventeen years, James and Torla welcomed 7 precocious children into their lives: Ruthahna, Daniel, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Kjirsten, Deborah and Catherine.  During that time, James worked very hard and enjoyed success as a drywall contractor; he gained many admirers and friends through the business he established, “Boucher Drywall.” 
    James was a devoted husband and father. With so many mouths and minds to feed, he worked very hard to provide in every way. Sometimes this necessitated him traveling and working outside the state to assure that the family’s financial needs were met. Although these were trying times, he shouldered the load and never complained. Every few weeks, he would return home again, and no matter how exhausted he felt, he always made time for his family. 
    James was always driven to learn and enrich his mind. He was an avid reader, and the walls of his home are lined with countless numbers of his beloved books. He was also a passionate, lifelong student of the gospel of Jesus Christ and loved being an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple. He had an insatiable need to learn as well as a singular talent for teaching. James was always a creative-thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit. "Find a need and creatively fill it, and you'll never lack for a job."  With his enthusiasm and example, he taught and inspired his children to be creative problem solvers. 
    James' love affair with agriculture went far beyond his book learning in high school and college.  James made sure that every single home he and Torla lived in had a large and prolific garden.  He not only provided wonderful, fresh fruits and vegetables for his family, but he has fed so many others over the decades, that there is simply no way to adequately express his love for sharing.  Many of us will always warmly remember him as Jim the Gardener. James taught all of his children how to dig in the earth, cultivate and care for growing things, and then enjoy and share the fruits of their labors. James' many 'Gardening Parables' were close to his heart; these lessons seamlessly translated into all facets of his productive happy life. 
    James' natural state of mind was happy, hardworking and productive. He loved to whistle while he worked. He loved to sing. He loved to laugh. He could retell a story like nobody’s business. He was always quick to share his quirky dry sense of humor with anyone and everyone; a good pun cracked him up and he couldn't help but share. He was definitely not shy about loving good food and was never known to turn down pie, peanut butter, ice cream or anything garden-fresh. 
    Many good things can be said about James, but above all else, is this:  Every good thing he had, he shared. His unstoppable sharing and generosity are quite simply the outward manifestation of a good man determined to live a Christ-like life; James succeeded in doing just that. 
    James is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Torla Henrie Boucher; son, Daniel; daughters: Ruthahna, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Kjirsten, and Catherine; 11 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Lyne Barnes.  
    James is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Deborah Marie Boucher; grandson, Jaaron Ishmael Martinez; brother, Wayne Boone Boucher; sisters: Yvonne "Bonnie" Clark and Laura Sevey. 
    Cremation services were previously held in the Magleby Mortuary Cremation Center.  Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in Elsinore Ward Chapel, 75 North Center Street in Elsinore. Funeral Directors:  Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. 
    For those who are unable to physically attend the services, feel free to attend via Zoom meeting at the time of the service. Please check the obituary section on the Magleby website for updates on the services and links to view the service. We will list them as they become available. Thank you.

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81391554876?pwd=ZDREVzdSMUp2RkVFMmFZZmJnNEFhUT09

Meeting ID:

813 9155 4876  Password: 825321

Call-in Phone #'s: 720 707 2699    or    253 215 8782