Garth Jackson Kunz
1950 ~ 2017
Garth Jackson Kunz, 66, of Taylorsville UT, died of pancreatic cancer on March 31, 2017 at his home next to his loving wife. Garth was born on June 8, 1950 to Kenneth and Laura Kunz in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the fifth of nine siblings.
From a young age, Garth became a devoted musician spending hours practicing on the family's grand piano and his saxophone. His love of music would go on to shape much of his life's service in the LDS church and provide hours of joyful entertainment to his family. No child could resist crazy dancing when he joyfully played Baby Elephant Walk.
Garth graduated from East High School where he honed his saxophone skills in jazz band. He went on to attend the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in Business.
Garth spent two years as a missionary for the LDS church preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Great Lakes Mission. He loved his mission and often shared stories of service, teaching, and great amounts of snow.
As a young adult, Garth quickly realized the catastrophic mistake he made in attending the University of Utah and found a wonderful woman, Susanne Meredith Cleverly, from BYU to compensate for his lack of judgement. They met at a Friday night church dance and the rest was history. They were married in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple on August 26, 1972. They have six children who were the loves of their lives until their ten superior grandchildren came along and stole their hearts.
Garth's life was filled with adventure. He loved to travel and shared his love of travel with his wife and children. Garth and Susanne traveled the country together and created memorable experiences beginning with their honeymoon at Yellowstone, helicopter rides in Hawaii, and surviving hurricane Bob from their hotel in Boston. He was legendary for surprising his kids at school, with their bags packed, for a weekend getaway.
Garth lived a marvelous life despite the challenges that constantly plagued him. Until his mid twenties he suffered from the debilitating effects of epilepsy. Throughout his entire life he battled bipolar depression. He pressed forward step by step with courage and hope even in the darkest of hours. He is an example to all that suffer similar challenges. You can find purpose, hope, and happiness in this life, no matter your circumstance.
Garth spent his entire life as a devoted member of the LDS church. He served in various capacities including ward financial clerk to five bishops, ward organist, teacher, stake missionary, Jordan River Temple ordinance worker and organist. If there was a lifetime achievement award for callings, he would have earned it as a ward clerk and organist.
Garth was a very hard worker. He worked in various capacities throughout his life to support his family including sales, HVAC, packaging, and health insurance. His clients were more than clients, they were his friends and he constantly went above and beyond to help them. He sacrificed his own comfort for several years commuting from Utah to California weekly to provide a comfortable life for his family. However, his most important takeaway from his career are the lifelong friends he made along the way.
Garth was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Cleverly Kunz and his parents, Kenneth Keith and Laura Jackson Kunz.
Garth is survived by Susanne, his loving wife of 45 years this August; his two sons, Robert G (Andrea) and Jacob C (Allison), his three daughters, Leah S (Adam) Zamora, Laura M (Anthony) Kobak, and Rebecca (Aaron) Kirton; and ten grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the LDS Bennion 12th Ward Chapel, 6550 South 2700 West, West Jordan. The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday and from 9:30-10:45 AM Saturday, both at the LDS Bennion 12th Ward Chapel. Burial will be at the Redwood Memorial Cemetery, 6500 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville.
Thank you to IHC Hospice and Dr. Jane McPherson for their loving assistance. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on Apr. 2, 2017