Paul LeRoy Naylor

With love and honor, we say goodbye to our husband, father, Grandfather & mentor.

Paul LeRoy Naylor passed peacefully at home on March 23, 2020. 

Paul was born May 30,1950 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joel Naylor and Elnora Mann Naylor.  He moved frequently with his family before meeting his future wife, Mary Jo Clinger, in Payson, Utah. Because of the restrictions placed on the number of missionaries allowed to serve at that time he was unable to serve a mission and was drafted into the US Military.

He married his best friend on December 6, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple and they began their whirlwind of a life together, starting a family and serving in the US Military. He spent most of his time serving in Berlin Germany and was able to do missionary work with the young soldiers and friends that he met there. Military service gave him a set of skills, and a broad perspective on the world, which served him well when they returned to Utah to raise their family.

After completing a bachelor's degree in business at BYU, he went on to accomplish many entrepreneurial pursuits, starting several businesses including real estate brokerages and a real estate school.

Paul’s love of teaching allowed him to touch the lives of many people. He had a talent for connecting with students on a personal level, guiding them step-by-step from simple concepts to a deeper understanding that sometimes surprised them. This was true whether teaching his kids how to fix a faucet, students learning the real estate industry, or profound gospel truths.

In 2016 Paul realized his lifelong desire to serve a full-time mission for the LDS Church.  He served in New Jersey along with his beloved companion for 20 months. He served as a worker in the Bountiful temple. He had a strong love of the gospel, and his strongest desire was sharing his testimony of the gospel with his family. Though his afflictions of the last few months were difficult, he expressed many times how grateful he was for these experiences that brought him closer to God.  

Paul had many loveable traits. He was an extraordinary handyman and could fix anything. He could make everyone feel loved. He had a way of relating to people and their needs that allowed him to offer comfort and counsel on every level.  His sense of humor was well known and his dad jokes and puns were never-ending.  

Paul is survived by his wife Mary Jo Naylor, his brothers and sister, Dean (Colleen) Naylor, Steve (Merla) Naylor, Joan (Bill) Evans, and Robert (Paula) Naylor. His children Cindy (Layne) Bell, Jenni Perkins, Joe Naylor, Jeremy Naylor, Dan (Hannah) Naylor, Michael (Michelle) Naylor, Matt (Angela) Naylor, Ben (Jenn) Naylor, Marianne (Jake) Holmes,  Ashlee (Mike) Hull and daughter-in-law Regina Naylor. His greatest joy was his 12 children, 44 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by a brother, Val David, his sons Richard Samuel, Christopher, and his grandson Samuel.

Due to the current health concerns, a private family service will be held.