Ross Pyper

ROSS JENKINS PYPER

1928-2015

Ross Jenkins Pyper passed away peacefully on November 26, 2015 surrounded by his family.  He was born May 2, 1928 to Ralph DeLos Pyper and Ruth Jenkins in Salt Lake City.  He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to New Zealand from 1948 to 1951 with a 6-month stop in Hawaii where he served the Japanese people.  In New Zealand he labored among the Maori people and became fluent in the Maori language, which he spoke his entire life.  He was thrilled later in life when he was able to return to the islands.  Ross had a Polynesian heart and cherished every opportunity to converse with people in Maori.

Upon returning home from his mission Ross met the love of his life, Josie LaRae Stoker, and they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 28, 1951.  They moved to Bountiful in 1960 where they raised their family of 5 children.

Ross served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as an instructor at Fort Ord in  Monterey, California.  He enjoyed a long career as a barber and he owned the Deseret Gym Barber Shop for almost 30 years.  He enjoyed many friendships at the barber shop, including several Church General Authorities.  He always greeted people by name.  He served in numerous Church callings, but he was most passionate about teaching.

Ross loved to sing and had many wonderful experiences singing in a barbershop quartet with his friends Harold Yancey, Joe Cutler and Jay Call, as well as singing 12 years with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  However, his family will most remember get-togethers where the ukuleles would come out and he would lead the singing with songs ranging from Coconut Willy to the Hawaiian War Chant.  He gave many of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren ukuleles as gifts over the years.

He is survived by his brothers:  Duane (Joyce), Craig, and Paul (Janice), his children: Lee Pyper (Perla) Farmington, Rob Pyper (Karen) Kaysville, Melani Porter (Dave) Syracuse, Melissa Doronsoro, Kaysville, and Jodi Chowen (Brent) Orem as well as 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by his wife and best friend LaRae, grandson Brent Taylor Chowen, brother Ralph, and sisters-in-law Audrey and Suzanne.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Bountiful 26th Ward , 200 N. 200 W. Bountiful, Utah.  Friends may visit from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church.  Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.

His family would like to give thanks to his friends and helpers at the Legacy House in Bountiful and Horizon Health Services.  We know that Dad is happy now that he has returned to be with Mom.  We love you Dad.  Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com