Devirl Nixon Stewart

Devirl Nixon Stewart passed away November 17, 2019. He was born on December 6, 1926 to Devirl B. Stewart and Grace Dean Nixon Stewart. He grew up in Salt Lake City. At the age of eight he traveled with his mother and siblings to New York City where he received a scholarship to attend the Horace Mann School.

In Salt Lake he attended Stewart Training Elementary, Bryant Jr. High, and East High School. He earned two summer school scholarships. The first was for debate at the University of Denver and the following summer for drama at the Banff School of Fine Arts, part of the University of Alberta, Canada.

He attended the University of Utah, taking time out to serve in the military during the final year of World War II. Devirl served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northwestern States.  Resuming his education, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Economics from the University of Utah. He later attended Stanford University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and Psychology.

Devirl traveled extensively in Europe and French Morocco. Returning from abroad, he married Jean Beth Chiverall on December 21, 1953.  The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of five children. They were later divorced.

He became an educator, teaching both in Utah and California. He later took over his father’s business, Stewart Associates.

On June 14, 1980, Devirl married Mary Elizabeth Kucera in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They purchased a home in Bountiful, Utah and traveled for Devirl’s business until the time of his retirement.

 In 1995 Devirl and Mary were called to serve with the first group of ordinance workers in the Bountiful Utah Temple. He found much joy in serving there.

Devirl, an avid reader, enjoyed frequent trips to the Davis County South Branch Library in Bountiful. He was on a first name basis with the staff and librarian. The books he suggested the library acquire often found their way onto the shelves. He also enjoyed his associations at the Bountiful Golden Years Senior Center. He took great interest in the AARP chapter that met there. He served as chapter president for more than ten years. He was well known for his intellect and wit.

Devirl was preceded in death by his parents, son David Nathanial, daughter Marilyn Jean, and brother Bill. He is survived by a sister, Marilyn LaZare, his wife of nearly 40 years, Mary, three children, Grace Lynne Clayton (Lon), Nick Stewart (Diane), and Mary Stevens (Gary Ellefson), fourteen grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Maple Hills Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1320 East 1975 South, Bountiful, Utah. Friends and family may visit Friday between 6 and 7:30 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, or Saturday between 9 and 10:45 at the church. Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery, with military honors at 2:00 pm located at 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah.