Kent J Wintch

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grand-father and great-great-grandfather, Kent J. Wintch, 90, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2013 in Grand Junction, Colorado where he has been residing in the care of his daughter and her husband, Pam and Randy Spencer. Kent was born on November 15, 1922 in Tropic, Utah to Charles and Hannah Hope Ott Wintch. He married Betty Lou Graff December 23, 1942 in the St. George Temple. He returned to his beloved wife of 63 years, who preceded him in death October 12, 2005.

Kent's fondest memories were of hiking the hills and valleys of the small towns of Tropic, Cannonville and Henrieville, especially if he had his fishing pole with him. He met his future love-of-his-life, Betty Lou at a sheep shearing out at Promise Rock. He and Betty were 10 and 11 years old when they met while jumping on the sacks of wool. Shortly after their marriage, he was drafted into WWII where he served honorably until his release. After the war he and Betty returned to Tropic where he ran a general store for several years before accepting a position at Bryce Canyon where he began a long and successful career working for the National Park Service, this career spanned over 25 years and took his family to such beautiful places as Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Arches and Canyonlands. He and Betty retired in Tropic, making the full circle where Kent began to put his energy into a beautiful garden every summer along with fruit trees and the endless demands a home and garden create.

Kent served in numerous positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including bishop, bishopric member, and numerous teaching positions. He enjoyed the service he rendered and spent much time in study and thought in every position he held. To sum up the life of this wonderful man in just a few words are the words of a man who declared: "He is one of the finest men I have ever met." Indeed, he was a fine man in every respect.

He is survived by four of his children: Charlene Higuera, Pam (Randall) Spencer, Kenneth (Barbara) Wintch and Rhett (Lisa) Wintch; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson; sisters: Joann (Ron) Otteson, Hannah (Jim) Goulding, and Suzanne (Royce) Griffin; brother, Michael (Judy) Wintch; brother-in-law, Merrell Woodbury.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; son, Samuel Kent Wintch; son-in-law, Edward Russell Higuera; grandson, Adam Kent Wintch; brother, Dean Wintch; sisters: Mary (Milton) Wells, and Jillyn Woodbury.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 12:00 Noon in the Tropic LDS Ward Chapel where friends may call from10:00-11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Tropic Cemetery with military rites by the Bryce Valley American Legion Post #18. Funeral Directors: magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made to the Hospice Care Center, 3090 N. 12th St., Unit B., Grand Junction, CO 80505. With sincere thanks we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the hospice staff and their kind and professional care of our father.