Raymond G. Springer

Our dearly loved husband, father, Opa, brother and friend died Thursday July 13, 2017, at home surrounded by his family. Ray was born February 22, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Sieger Springer, Jr. and Mary Alice Moore. He attended South High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from the University of Utah. He married Barbara Jean (B.J.) Twelves on December 21, 1961, in the LDS Salt Lake Temple.

He served a mission for the LDS Church in the Netherlands as young man, eventually serving as a counselor to his mission president. He served as scoutmaster, bishop’s counselor, high councilor, bishop, gospel doctrine teacher and ward mission leader. He was a faithful home teacher. He returned later in life to the land he loved and served a mission with his sweetheart to supervise the construction of The Hague Netherlands temple.

He was a custom home builder for over 30 years, and built beautiful homes for families across the county, including the home in which he raised his family. He was a man of integrity for all of those with whom he conducted business. He was active in the Home Builders Association serving as President of the Greater Salt Lake Home Builders Association, President of the Home Builders Association of Utah and a board member of the National Association of Home Builders.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing as a boy and continued to do so throughout his life, especially fishing. He enjoyed the peace and the closeness he found on the river with a fly rod in his hands. He passed that love on to his children and grandchildren.

He was an avid gardener and cherished working in his beautiful yard. He shared his harvest with everyone, often showing up at someone’s doorstep with a sack of corn he has just picked, a bucket of raspberries or a bushel of tomatoes. His favorite harvest though was green peppers that B.J. would make into stuffed peppers and he would enjoy eating them all winter long. He was always a joy to cook for, honestly loving whatever you prepared for him.

He taught his children the value of hard work, integrity and to love and serve the Lord. He loved his bride and as his health failed, his greatest concern was for her care. He desperately wanted to stay on earth a little longer to be with her, their love and devotion to each other was an example for all who knew him. He taught his children the value of togetherness through a family vacation and they all cherish memories made on the beaches of Newport with his entire family.

He was always “adding” to our family, by developing friendships that were deep and full of brotherly or fatherly love. He was always a missionary, sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone that would listen. All who met him learned of his love and devotion to the Savior and the greatest family in the world. He was constantly rendering service to anyone who stood in need.

He adored his children. His 29 grandchildren shared a special bond with their Opa and could never seem to get enough. He attended sporting events, band concerts, dance recitals, rode trax downtown. He took walks on the pier, to the doughnut store, or to the candy store and just sat in the shade and shared a drink with his family. Even as his health was failing, he enjoyed the commotion that came from his large family being at his side.

He is survived by his wife B.J., his children Heather (Rick) Erickson, Steven (Lani), Mark (Lori), John (Karen), Daniel (Christy) and Sheri (David) Durham. His 29 grandchildren and his first great-grandchild due in August. His siblings Donald (Karen), Barbara Johnson and Melvin (Barbara), and others he chose to call his brothers and children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Ronald Johnson.

Services will be held Wed. July 19, 2017 at 12:00 noon at the Cottonwood 2nd Ward building, 2080 East 5165 South, Holladay. The family will receive friends Tues. July 18, 2017 at the ward house from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Wed. from 10:00 to 11:30 am prior to the funeral. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn.

The family wishes to thank Jackie Arbanas for her thoughtful care of our dad in his final months.