VERLYN KAY SHUMWAY
MAY 30, 1944 – MARCH 21, 2020

On Saturday March 21, 2020, surrounded by those who love him most, the Pleasant Grove Fast Pitch Softball League legend, comedic genius, and angler extraordinaire, #1 Grandpa, ALWAYS right Dad and loving husband Verlyn Kay Shumway began his next mission beyond the veil.

“Shum” was born May 30, 1944 to Verl and Vergie Shumway, the first of four children. He spent his childhood working on the family farm and making runs with his Dad on the milk truck—' mostly so he could play on the Sears escalator in Salt Lake City. As a young man, he worked for his Dad at Shumway’s 66-fuel station in Orem and Uncle Garth’s Gillman’s 66 in Lindon. He graduated from Orem High School in 1962 and continued on to BYU to study Physics. Following his first semester at college, he started his first construction job and fell in love with it. A proud card carrying member of Operating Engineers Local Union #3, he worked on the Wilkinson Center and Deseret Towers at BYU, Science Building at Dixie State, the Jr. High School and Artic Circle in Escalante, UT, as well as Soldier Creek Dam at Strawberry Reservoir. He always bragged to his kids about helping build this road, that highway, and that bridge as we road tripped around UT, CO, WY, ID and NV.

He met the love of his life, Alana Stephensen Shumway on a blind date in the summer of 1968. They went steady until their shotgun wedding October 17, 1969 in Elko, NV. After the birth of their first daughter Julie Ann, he built a home for his growing family in between his parents’ and grandparents’ homes on the family farm in Orem.

On June 30, 1975, Verlyn and Lana were sealed for time and all eternity with young Julie at their side in the Salt Lake City temple. Four children followed in the coming years and Verlyn worked hard supporting his family, teaching us the Gospel, the value of hard work, supporting us in all of our sporting activities, taking us camping, and (our favorite) carting us all to his fast pitch softball games and tournaments.

He served in many different callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, from the Bishopric, Stake Financial Clerk, and High Priest Group Leader to his favorite of all, Ward Greeter. After his retirement in 2000, he served a mission at the Lindon Cannery. They couldn’t get rid of him – he stayed on serving up until he entered Utah Valley Hospital on March 6th as the Indispensable Gofer (necessary italics added) (Go for this, go for that, help us here, help us there, come get on this pallet Bob and I’ll lift ya up to the top shelf.)

He was preceded in death by his father Verl A. Shumway, mother Vergie Gillman Shumway, and beloved son, James Verlyn Shumway. He is survived by his bride of a half century and eternal companion Alana Stephensen Shumway; son John Brad Shumway; daughters Julie Ann Julander (Anthony), Jamie Lyn Kent (Donald), Janneal Lyman (Ryan), eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

The New York Yankees, Ford Trucks, Classic Country Music, Snickers and Mountain Dew will always be fond reminders of him for us. He loved teaching his grandkids baseball and softball, fishing, camping, going for drives with his sweetheart, home teaching, serving his neighbors, quietly supporting his children, and making us all laugh. We will sorely miss his jokes, his hugs, and his guidance, but we know he is serving where God needs him and spending much needed time with his boy.

Family graveside services will be Friday, March 27, 2020. A family visitation will be held that morning from 11:00 - 12:30 p.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem. Due to precautions with the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) outbreak - We are limiting entrance to viewing to 10 people at a time. Thank you for your understanding.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.walkersanderson.com

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