Sterling Gordon Umphenour Jr.

Sterling Gordon Umphenour Jr.. was born to Sterling Gordon Umphenour Sr. and Thelma Petrie on December 28th, 1932 in Bellingham, Washington. He was a hard worker and began at 8 years of age mowing lawns and delivering newspapers and magazines. He continued working from this young age through high school with jobs such as the high school cafeteria, bowling alley, photo studio, and at local farms. He began learning as a youth to build and repair things in his and the homes of others. His parents were divorced when he was 12 years of age and he worked to help provide for the family for many years.

Sterling was baptized and confirmed on January 5, 1941. In the blessing at his confirmation, it was stated that Sterling had “a great faith in a small body and would live to be an Elder in Zion and do much good”. That blessing was fulfilled in the way he lived his life.

Sterling graduated from Bellingham High School in 1950. He enrolled in Brigham Young University in 1951 majoring in marketing and minored in Business Administration. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in June 1955.

In January 1953, his sophomore year, he met the love of his life, Hope Huntsman at a BYU dance. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 8, 1953.

His first contact with military service began when he enlisted in the Washington State National Guard with an anti-aircraft artillery unit. In January 1953, at BYU, he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant, and began active-duty. During his military career, he served as a military air transport pilot. On one of his many flights, he transported Bob Hope and his entertainment troupe. Sterling also taught ROTC at the University of Cincinnati. After being transferred to the Bermuda Islands, he served in Military Air Command. What turned out to be his last active-duty assignment, Sterling was transferred to California where he held the area command post having command and control over all Air Force Military Airlift Command from mid-Pacific (including Alaska and South America) to the Mississippi River. He retired from the military after 28 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

After his active-duty service, he instructed crew members on the systems of the B-737 both in the classroom and in the systems trainer for United Airlines.

Upon leaving United Airlines he moved his family to Castle Dale, Utah, and purchased the Castle Dale Co-Op. After selling the store they moved to Bountiful, Utah where they have lived ever since.

Sterling served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of his callings included teaching, working with the youth, Stake Missionary, Bishoprics, and Stake Presidencies. He and Hope served a mission in the Orlando Florida Temple.

Sterling was preceded in death by his parents and son, David Umphenour. He is survived by his wife, Hope Huntsman Umphenour and 5 daughters, Annette (Terry) Newbold, Kimberly Giles, Shelly (daughter-in-law), Nancy (Gene) Isom, Myrna (David) Pettit, Holly (Ron) Freeman, his 25 grandchildren, and 64 great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He leaves a legacy of love and dedication to his wife and children. He taught his family to always respect and treat others in a Christ-like way. He put family first and taught his children to work hard and to be self-reliant.

Funeral service for Sterling will be on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Bountiful 4th Ward, 102 East 1400 South, Bountiful. Friends and family may gather for a viewing on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Bountiful 4th Ward, 102 East 1400 South and also one hour prior to the service. Sterling will be laid to rest following the service at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary & Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful.

For those of you who are unable to attend the funeral service, you are welcome to attend virtual by visiting bountiful4thward.org

Please share your memories with his family.