Calvin M Birch

loving husband, father, brother, grandpa and great-grandpa, who returned peacefully to his

loving Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, surrounded by his family. Born February

27, 1934, Calvin filled his 83 years here on earth with unconditional love, time with family and a

deep testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each day spent with Calvin was a lesson on love

and how to make all those around you feel like the most important person alive. Even a small

visit always ended with him asking, “Do you know how special you are?” He spent his life not

just asking people if they knew how special they are, he showed them through his devoted

service.

He was a life-long, active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding

countless callings and serving a mission to Argentina from 1955-1958. He married his

sweetheart Patricia Bitter on August 8, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. He developed a strong

love for the Spanish language on his mission. He was known to stop strangers in the store, on the

sidewalk, or in a line simply for the chance to ask if they spoke Spanish and to speak “the

celestial language.” He also had a strong testimony of eternal families and of the temple. He

served faithfully in the Salt Lake temple for 24 years.

He found his greatest joy in his family but he also loved to fish, play the guitar, piano or organ;

music of all kinds, especially Hawaiian music; singing, making his children sing to end

arguments, taking long walks, and holding his wife’s hand. He has seven siblings, is a father to

eight children, grandpa to 67 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. He often said he was the

richest man on earth because of his family. If he was the richest man alive, then his family is

truly rich beyond measure as his life, love, examples, and hugs are truly the greatest inheritance

a family could ever wish for.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Azie and Geneva Mann Birch, brothers Donald and Cecil,

sister-in-law Joyce Birch, brother-in-law Robert Birrell, and grandchildren, Cameron, Claire and

Hannah.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; children Michelle (Rory) Gagon, Eulale (David) Dixon,

Alicia (James) Quigley, Michael (Kayelyn) Birch, Andrea (Todd) Landeen, Matthew (Christa)

Birch, JoLyn (Eric) Baggaley, and Natalie Birch; brother Vaughn (Phyllis), sisters LaRae

(Edward) Harrison, LaRee Birrell, Eulale (Jim) Duncan, and Myrle (Sherron) Pace, sister-in-law

Carolyn Birch; 64 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren; as well as countless fish he tried to

catch but never could. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. at the

Kimball Ward, 2280 S. 300 E., Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be a viewing for friends and

family on Tuesday, April 25th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Kimball Ward and a viewing

Wednesday morning at 9:30 prior to the funeral service. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial

Park.

The family would like to thank Millcreek Hospice for their kind and loving care of Calvin.