John Richard Law

John Richard (Dick) Law expended the last of his nine+ lives on March 20, 2022. After numerous close calls, nearly fatal accidents, major illnesses and fighting on the front lines – it was finally a fall on the home front that called him home to heaven.
Always serving others, this hip great-grandfather, broke his hip while helping a neighbor in October of 2020. His body would never recover; slowly shutting down, with his beautiful, saint of a wife – Leila Ann Guay Law – devotedly by his side.
Dick was an opera loving suburban cowboy – a rootin’ tootin’ contradiction of characters – often scolding other semitruck drivers for swearing over the CB radio as his favorite arias swelled in the cab.
Wearing the many different hats (of the cowboy variety) as friend, family man and mentor, and donning designer boots, bold belt buckles, western shirts, and the same pair of brown wranglers – he could switch in a snap into one of dozens of fancy custom western cut suits that always garnered a whistle and a wow!
Working three jobs to provide for his family, his duty became his dharma. A teacher by career and calling – leaving an indelible impression on his students. A truck driver by trade and metaphor – delivering on his commitments. And a life-long craftsman – ever building and beautifying the portion of the world in his care.
Dick was born in Salt Lake City, on November 20, 1932. Days before his death he good-naturedly joked, “I was born during the great depression and I’m still depressed.”
The fourth of nine children, he grew up all over the west, moving multiple times, attending 28 different elementary schools. His family spent the longest stretches of time in Sugarhouse, St. George, and Midvale, Utah and Wenatchee, Washington.
He dropped out of school after 8th grade to work full-time in order to help his family make ends meet.
At 18, he bravely enlisted in the army, serving for three years fighting on the front lines in Korea – specializing in chemical, radiological and biological warfare.
After returning from war, he decided he wanted to go to college. With no high school diploma, he earned a GED and talked Brigham Young University into allowing him to test in. They said it couldn’t be done, but it was done. He passed the entrance exam in the 90th percentile and four years later graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
In 1954, he married Carolyn Pratt (later divorcing in 1965) and together they had five beautiful children: Marie (Bill) Swift, Paul (Teresa) Law, Norman Law, Raymond (Kimberley) Law, Heather Lemon.
Down the road, a chance encounter would lead to a second chance at love with fellow teacher Leila Guay. They married in a civil ceremony on May 26, 1970, later sealing together their family of seven for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Dick had five more children with Leila: Angela (Michael) Larsen-Mollerup, Jennifer (Joshua) Rollins, Jonathan (Alyson) Law, Rebekah Law, and Michael (Nicole) Law.
He spent the vast majority of his teaching career as an industrial arts instructor at Cottonwood High School. During the summer months and weekends, he drove semi-trucks for Clark Tank Lines, CF, and Albertson’s. And to earn extra money for his large family, he did special carpentry projects for neighbors in the evenings.
But his service and sacrifice did not end there. Perhaps his most joyful years were spent as an Ordinance Worker at the Jordan River and Draper Temples.
His nine+ lives were never easy, but he was strong, steadfast, and brave. Surviving a fall from a 20-foot tree, running into his family’s burning home to save his baby brother, blowing up a sugar bowl full of gunpowder, being hit by a car in a wagon, getting both ankles crushed by a semitruck, his diesel rolling off a cliff, losing his brakes down a canyon, war, the Great Depression, and coming face to face with Sasquatch (no joke).
Our home front hero survived so much in his life, but is survived by his wife, Leila, his 10 children and their spouses, 23 grandchildren: Jonny, Julie, Quinn, Anage, Chance, Corey, Britani, Jared, Kyle, Luke, Parker, Noah, Liam, Jessica, Chelsea, Aidan, Brinley, Landon, Sydney, Pierce, Alex, Katelyn, Connor and 6 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by siblings: Ronald Law, Linda Jensen, Carolyn Law, and Stephen Law.
Proceeding him in death are his parents: Clifford Law Sr., and Leona Allsop Law, and siblings: Clifford Law Jr., Robert Law, Barbara Law, and James Law.
This man of many talents knew in his soul he was sent to earth to help people.
His life was dedicated to the service of others – often rendering it in secret – wanting nothing in return than to lift the burden of another.
He loved the Lord with all his might. And we – his loved ones – believe this mighty man is now swinging a hammer, building mansions above, with his brother, fellow carpenter and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh how we love and miss you. Until next time partner!
Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at a viewing, Monday, March 28, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the LDS church located at 1911 East Gray Fox Drive, Draper, UT. 84020 [next to the Draper LDS Temple.] A second viewing will be held in the same location Tuesday, March 29, 2022, proceeding the funeral from 9:00-10:45 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Internment at Lake Hills Cemetery [10055 S. State St. Sandy]. All are welcome.
Service Information
Viewing March 28, 2022 at 6:00 PM
LDS church located at 1911 East Gray Fox Drive, Draper, UT





Viewing March 29, 2022 at 9:00 AM
LDS church located at 1911 East Gray Fox Drive, Draper, UT





Celebration of Life
March 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM
LDS church located at 1911 East Gray Fox Drive, Draper, UT