Stewart Turner Simons

Stewart Turner Simons passed away unexpectedly at his home in West Valley, Utah on Saturday, December 7. He leaves behind a legacy of generous service and devotion to a family and a community he dearly loved.

Stewart was born on April 1st, 1956, and endured a lifetime of ribbing from his friends and family about being an April Fools baby. Stewart’s parents, Dale and Joann Simons raised Stew and his five siblings in a loving home in Magna, Utah. Stewart frequently reminisced about his many memories of growing up in Magna and how much he loved the close-knit community there. Stewart attended Cyprus High School in Magna, where he excelled in a variety of sports. Stewart played on the football, basketball, and baseball teams for Cyprus as well as many other county recreation teams in the area.

Following high school, Stewart attended Snow College where he played on the football team. He then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Japan. Stewart was very proud of his mastery of the Japanese language and remained fluent in Japanese throughout his life. After returning home to Utah following his mission, Stewart attended the University of Utah where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree.

While attending Cyprus, Stewart met his sweetheart, Karen Peterson. They married in 1978 and purchased a house in West Valley, Utah. In this happy home, they raised their three children: Emilee, Michael, and Sheena.

Stewart worked for many years as an independent financial planner, helping many clients invest their earnings and plan for their retirements. As he approached his own retirement, Stewart eventually sold his financial planning business. But Stewart’s ambition wouldn’t allow him to hold still for long, so he obtained a real estate license and began selling homes in Salt Lake and the surrounding area. Never one to shy away from talking to people and always able to make friends with anyone, Stewart was a natural-born salesman and enjoyed hosting open houses at properties throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Later on, Stewart began working with special-needs children as a substitute teacher for the Granite School District. Stewart enjoyed watching these children grow, learn, and overcome the obstacles they faced.

Stewart’s life took an unforeseen turn when his wife Karen passed away in 2017. Single life didn’t agree with Stewart so he married Young Oak Lowe in 2019. They later separated.

Stewart was known to tell his friends and family it was a privilege to provide service to others. Stewart held a variety of callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but his favorite callings were those that gave him an opportunity to teach. Stewart served as the Bishop for the Copperhillls Second Ward and as a counselor in the presidency of the Copperhills Stake.

Stewart is preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Joann Simons; and by his wife, Karen Peterson Simons. He is survived by his daughter, Emilee Simons of West Valley; his son, Mike Simons of Midvale; and his daughter, Sheena (Chris) Grau of Grantsville. Stewart is also survived by his brother, Shawn (Carolyn) Simons of Magna; sister, Suzanne (Tom) Whiting of Magna; brother, Todd (Tammy) Simons of West Valley; brother, Scott (Tiffany) Simons of Magna; and sister, Kris Simons of Magna. Stewart will be missed by his eight grandchildren: McKenna, Sullivan, Roosevelt, Sione, Finnegan, JayLynn, Jordan, and Zariah.

A viewing will be held for Stewart at the Falcon Crest Ward building at 6710 West 4145 South in West Valley on Thursday, December 12th from 6 pm until 8 pm. Stewart’s funeral will also be held in the Falcon Crest Ward chapel on Friday, December 13th at 11 a.m. A viewing will be held from 10 until 10:45 a.m. before the funeral service. The interment will be at the Valley View Cemetery in West Valley.

Zoom link for the funeral:

https://zoom.us/j/99206257308