Kay Wilson

Kay Harris Wilson passed away on March 23, 2022, of causes incident to age.  Dad was born on December 31, 1934 (he missed being a New Year’s baby by 20 minutes) in the old Miner’s Hospital in Park City, Utah to Edward Archie Wilson and Belle Harris.  Grandpa Wilson worked construction and in the mines around Park City but soon felt there were better employment opportunities in Vernal, Utah.  Dad absolutely loved living in Vernal.  He spent his days on the family farm with his cousins and he loved being with his extended family.  He often told us that he didn’t care too much for the farm chores, but he did enjoy the daily swims in the canal.  Dad had many stories about his life in Vernal and he shared them with us on every family drive - - regardless of the distance traveled.  As a teenager, Dad’s family relocated to American Fork, Utah as there were more opportunities available in the “big city.”  Dad attended and graduated from American Fork High School where he participated in football, track and the marching band.  It was at American Fork High School that a dark-haired beauty caught his eye.  Luckily, as Dad would say, the feeling was mutual.   

Upon graduating from high school, Dad attended Brigham Young University for one year, after which he was called to serve in the North States Mission (headquartered in Chicago) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He enjoyed his missionary service, especially when he was assigned to labor in Carthage and Nauvoo.  Upon his return from his mission, Dad married Joyce Birk (the dark-haired beauty) on November 14, 1957 in the Salt Lake City Temple.  They enjoyed 56 wonderful years together until Mom’s passing on July 4, 2013.  Dad graduated from Brigham Young University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.  Dad also served in the Utah National Guard for 10 years, earning an honorable discharge in 1963.  Dad loved food, laughter, reading, napping in the living room while he waited for the paper to be delivered, his kids and grandkids and everything BYU and Idaho State University related.

In 1960 Mom and Dad welcomed their favorite daughter, Michelle.  Shortly after her birth Dad relocated to Pocatello, Idaho, where he began a new job as an auto insurance adjuster for State Farm Insurance.  It was during his time with State Farm that Dad fell in love for the second time  - - with the automobile.  State Farm provided Dad with a new car every two years and the day each new car was delivered we had a celebration.  In 1962 Mom and Dad welcomed their favorite son, Greg.  At that time, they also purchased a brand new home on Syringa Street, where they would live for almost 25 years.  Dad made sure our childhood was memorable.  One of our favorite memories was the day McDonalds finally opened a restaurant in Pocatello.  Dad checked both of us out of school and took us to lunch for the grand opening.  He and Mom made sure we were loved, protected, cared for and happy.  Dad and Mom loved their nightly drives “around the golf course” and while in St George their daily trips to Del Taco where Dad always ordered a hamburger and fries.  Dad had a fantastic sense of humor, and no one laughed harder at his jokes than him.  We believe that one of the reasons Mom married Dad was that he promised to make her laugh every day, and he did.  Dad was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He held numerous callings in the church throughout his life and he loved every one of them.

In 1990, Mom and Dad relocated to Wenatchee, Washington to take a new opportunity with State Farm.  He and Mom lived in Wenatchee until his retirement.  Dad loved all of the associations he had with the body shops, towing companies, law enforcement and the many insurance representatives he worked with.  We believe he was the best employee in the history of State Farm.

Upon his retirement, he and Mom relocated to St George, Utah.  Dad said St George was perfect as he didn’t have to worry about shoveling sunshine.  Mom and Dad loved driving through Zion National Park, but nothing compared to their love of Yellowstone National Park. 

Dad was preceeded in death by his parents, his loving wife, and his younger brother Douglas (Diane) Wilson.  He is survived by his two sisters:  Enid (Don) Bennett and Alice (Chris) Benson; his children, Michelle and John Sargent of Pocatello and Gregory K and Keri Wilson of Kansas City.  He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren:  Ryan (Brandi) Sargent, Hollie Kay (Brandon) Adamson, Kristopher (Katie) Wilson, Taylor K (Maddie) Wilson, Courtney (Daniel) Spicer, Samantha (Zachary) Peterson and Jessica Sargent.  He is also survived by his 16 great grandchildren.  His great grandchildren referred to him as Grandpa Great and we can’t think of a better name for him than that.

Last July, Dad moved to Grace Assisted living in Pocatello.  We would like to thank everyone associated with Grace for the love and kindness they showed our Dad during his stay.  We would also like to thank Heritage Hospice for their sweet service over the last week.

A special thanks and deep expression of gratitude goes to Michelle and John Sargent.  They attended to Dad’s every daily need for the last year.  They made him feel special each and every day.  We know their efforts on Dad’s behalf have been recorded in the journals in heaven.

Dad, we love you and miss you.  May God be with you, and us, until we meet again.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 29^th at 11:00 at the American Fork LDS Church, 975 N 60 E, American Fork, Utah. 

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