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In Loving Memory Of
Jay Carl Swenson
October 17, 1941—October 12, 2026
Stansbury Park, Utah
Life & Legacy
Jay Carl Swenson was born on October 17, 1941, in Logan, Utah, to Carl David Swenson and Deloris Newbrand Swenson (Speirs). Jay passed away on October 12, 2026, five days before his 85th birthday, leaving a legacy of love, generosity, humor, and treasured memories.
Raised in Cache Valley and Salt Lake, Jay was in the first full graduating class of Highland High School in 1959. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission. He received a BS degree in Sociology from Weber State College and a teaching certificate from Utah State University. Jay served in the Coast Guard in California and spent six years in the Utah National Guard.
Jay and Carolyn were married on March 27, 1979, in Las Vegas at an LDS chapel. Their marriage was later sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on March 17, 2012. He spent the last 32 years living in Stansbury Park with his beloved wife, Carolyn.
Jay was a kind, generous, nurturing, and protective man with a natural ability to connect with people. A born salesman, he had a remarkable gift for conversation and teaching. During Friends of Scouting drives, donations more than quadrupled when he worked his way around the neighborhood. Through the years, he was always there to serve in church callings as elders quorum president, Sunday School teacher, and assistant scout committee chairman.
Jay began his working life with Schreiber Cheese in Smithfield, Utah, and later became a salesman for World Book Encyclopedia for 25 years. As part of his encyclopedia presentations, he visited schools—including those attended by his grandchildren—and engaged students with experiments, such as showing how an index card could hold water inside an upside-down cup. He finished his sales career providing Britannica products over the phone to libraries across the nation.
Athletic throughout his life, Jay loved playing basketball as much as three days a week up until age 75! Play continued with three generations of church ball despite a long list of injuries throughout the years. He also treasured attending basketball and football games with his friends, children, and grandchildren.
Jay also loved camping at Spirit Lake and stream fishing in his “special” spots. As Carolyn described their fishing trips, “He caught the fish, and I caught the mosquito bites.” Jay’s competitive spirit carried into family and neighborhood game nights, regularly hosting Chess Club in their home.
Jay made ordinary moments memorable. Whether outdoors, on the basketball court, or around a game table, his life was defined by athleticism, determination, humor, and a gift for bringing people together. He will be remembered most for his competitive spirit, the way he made people feel, and the love he gave so freely.
Jay’s love will live on in the hearts of his family, serving as a permanent reminder that love is the most meaningful legacy a person can give. In life, Jay personally supported missionary work by giving each departing missionary in his ward a crisp $100 bill and emailing them weekly. In lieu of flowers, and as a tribute to his generous heart, please consider a donation to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jay is survived by his siblings NaDine (Robert) Gibby, Brian Swenson (Elaine, deceased), and Dian (Sterling) Tucker. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepparents, Aurelia Nielsen Swenson and Harold Speirs, and his brothers Gregory Swenson and Christopher Swenson.
Jay was previously married to Valgean Jones (deceased), with whom he had five children who also survive him: Jeffrey (Paula) Swenson, Laura (Edward) McKee, Lee (Tammy) Swenson, Margaret Murphy, and Kristine (Thomas) Quinn. He is also survived by his wife, Carolyn Goldsberry (Wilbur) Swenson, and Carolyn’s children: Julie Kunz (partner David Gately), Heather Wilbur, David (Monica) Wilbur, and Paul (Jessica) Swenson, whom Jay adopted.
Through his children with Valgean, Jay had 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Through Carolyn’s children, he had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Viewing: 4:30–5:45 p.m.
Funeral Service: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Stansbury Park Stake Center
417 Benson Mill Ward
Interment
Friday, October 16, 2026, at noon
Millville-Nibley Cemetery
310 East 100 North
Millville, Utah
Raised in Cache Valley and Salt Lake, Jay was in the first full graduating class of Highland High School in 1959. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission. He received a BS degree in Sociology from Weber State College and a teaching certificate from Utah State University. Jay served in the Coast Guard in California and spent six years in the Utah National Guard.
Jay and Carolyn were married on March 27, 1979, in Las Vegas at an LDS chapel. Their marriage was later sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on March 17, 2012. He spent the last 32 years living in Stansbury Park with his beloved wife, Carolyn.
Jay was a kind, generous, nurturing, and protective man with a natural ability to connect with people. A born salesman, he had a remarkable gift for conversation and teaching. During Friends of Scouting drives, donations more than quadrupled when he worked his way around the neighborhood. Through the years, he was always there to serve in church callings as elders quorum president, Sunday School teacher, and assistant scout committee chairman.
Jay began his working life with Schreiber Cheese in Smithfield, Utah, and later became a salesman for World Book Encyclopedia for 25 years. As part of his encyclopedia presentations, he visited schools—including those attended by his grandchildren—and engaged students with experiments, such as showing how an index card could hold water inside an upside-down cup. He finished his sales career providing Britannica products over the phone to libraries across the nation.
Athletic throughout his life, Jay loved playing basketball as much as three days a week up until age 75! Play continued with three generations of church ball despite a long list of injuries throughout the years. He also treasured attending basketball and football games with his friends, children, and grandchildren.
Jay also loved camping at Spirit Lake and stream fishing in his “special” spots. As Carolyn described their fishing trips, “He caught the fish, and I caught the mosquito bites.” Jay’s competitive spirit carried into family and neighborhood game nights, regularly hosting Chess Club in their home.
Jay made ordinary moments memorable. Whether outdoors, on the basketball court, or around a game table, his life was defined by athleticism, determination, humor, and a gift for bringing people together. He will be remembered most for his competitive spirit, the way he made people feel, and the love he gave so freely.
Jay’s love will live on in the hearts of his family, serving as a permanent reminder that love is the most meaningful legacy a person can give. In life, Jay personally supported missionary work by giving each departing missionary in his ward a crisp $100 bill and emailing them weekly. In lieu of flowers, and as a tribute to his generous heart, please consider a donation to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jay is survived by his siblings NaDine (Robert) Gibby, Brian Swenson (Elaine, deceased), and Dian (Sterling) Tucker. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepparents, Aurelia Nielsen Swenson and Harold Speirs, and his brothers Gregory Swenson and Christopher Swenson.
Jay was previously married to Valgean Jones (deceased), with whom he had five children who also survive him: Jeffrey (Paula) Swenson, Laura (Edward) McKee, Lee (Tammy) Swenson, Margaret Murphy, and Kristine (Thomas) Quinn. He is also survived by his wife, Carolyn Goldsberry (Wilbur) Swenson, and Carolyn’s children: Julie Kunz (partner David Gately), Heather Wilbur, David (Monica) Wilbur, and Paul (Jessica) Swenson, whom Jay adopted.
Through his children with Valgean, Jay had 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Through Carolyn’s children, he had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Viewing: 4:30–5:45 p.m.
Funeral Service: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Stansbury Park Stake Center
417 Benson Mill Ward
Interment
Friday, October 16, 2026, at noon
Millville-Nibley Cemetery
310 East 100 North
Millville, Utah
Memory Wall
In Honor & Remembrance
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