Murray Scoffield Moffat

Murray Scoffield Moffat left his earthly home on Sunday, March 29, 2020 surrounded by his loving wife and family at age 95.

Murray was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to his father Murray Shepard Moffat and mother Ellen Scoffield on July 21, 1924.

Dad loved the Lord, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures that gave him great hope, comfort, and peace.  He loved to share his testimony of truth to all.  He accepted callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and relished his time as an Usher at Temple Square during General Conferences.

Dad loved people and people loved him.  When dad accepted and sincerely tried to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, he acted as a missionary in his new calling of Aaronic Priesthood Secretary .  He was not afraid to go from house to house, door to door to proclaim what he knew to be true, while many he knew now shut their doors on him as he tried to bring his new found truths to them.  He last served as door-greeter in the Farmington Oakridge Shepard Ward, and finally relinquished that calling to help in the care of his wife Norma who was wheel-chair bound, to tenderly aid her in bringing her to church; combing her hair and helping her to get ready.

Dad married the love of his life Norma Lou Butcher on March 21, 1945 in Elko, Nevada and on September 1, 1964 he took his sweetheart to the Salt Lake Temple to be married for time and eternity.  His temple sealing and covenants were of great importance to him, and not taken lightly.  He recently celebrated his 75th Wedding Anniversary with Mom, and they both said that the success of their long years of marriage was “holding hands!”

Family was most important to dad and he often taught “if you wait until you can afford to have children, you will never have them”! He is the father of 11 children, 45 grand-children, 77 great grandchildren (5 coming 2020) and 4 great-great grandchildren (1 coming 2020). He gave his time and love to all.

Dad’s livelihood for most of his life was work as a self-employed Contractor-Plasterer.  He was a Master Craftsman in his trade, and very detail oriented. He was a hard worker and knew the value of work and money and taught these skills to his children.  He built 4 homes – his first two in Bountiful, a 3rd for his paraplegic son Kent, taking care that it was all wheel chair accessible; his last home in Kaysville for his wife Norma.  He also helped in the building and remodeling of his children’s homes.

Dad loved to take his family camping and after moving to Bountiful, he was introduced to his and his family’s love of water-skiing.  Buying a used boat of his own, he and his family spent lots of weekends and holidays at Hyrum, Utah. He made it a priority to put the boat away on Sunday and take his family to church there. He loved other sports such as tennis, racquetball, swimming and diving.

One of his favorite activities  was that of coin collecting. He put together many State quarter books for his children and grand-children.

He served in the Military starting in the Merchant Marines.  He was stationed in a port off of New Guinea and had been there about a month – he never saw any action until they received orders to ship out. Just after leaving, the area was attacked by air.  The hand of Providence watched over him knowing that there was a great family yet to come. He was later drafted into the US Army.

Loved by his children who called him dad, his grandchildren who called him Grandpa, Papa, and Pops – he will be remembered for his legacy of love to all!  We greatly miss him but hold to the Lord’s promises of being with him forever.

Dad is now rejoicing and celebrating with his parents, his darling daughter Beverly Jane, his oldest sister Katherine, brothers; Jim, Judd, Harold, Don, and other extended family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years Norma Lou Butcher, and his 10 children; Murray, Kathryn, Michael, Mark, Marilyn (Garth Malan), Kent, Lulu (Alan Ostler), Dawn (Jeff Rowberry), Jeff (Michelle Hout), and Gwen.

Thank you dad for all your unconditional love, laughter and great example in life.  We will always remember your smile and the fun times you shared with all of us!