John Leonard Hepworth

John L Hepworth

BRIGHAM CITY - John Leonard (Jack) Hepworth, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Brigham City on Thursday, July 12, 2012. He was born November 2, 1927 in Salt Lake City to Peter Leonard and Flora Victoria Burningham Hepworth. He attended public schools in Salt Lake, graduating from South High School in 1945. He entered the University of Utah, but in January 1946 he joined the U.S. Navy and served for two years. He was discharged with the rate of Quartermaster 3/C. In September 1948 he entered the mission field for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Northern States Mission under Presidents Creed Haymond and Waldo Anderson. After returning from his mission, he completed a Bachelor's program in Chemistry at the University of Utah in 1952 and later received a Master's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Idaho.
While attending the University of Utah, he married Caryl Peterson on March 19, 1951 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they raised three daughters and three sons.
Jack was employed by General Electric at the Hanford Atomic Products Operation in Richland, WA (where he was involved with the development of the separation of plutonium and uranium from fission products) and at American Potash & Chemical Corp. in Henderson, NV. In 1958 he joined Thiokol Corporation in Brigham City, Utah, where he was employed until retirement in 1990. While at Thiokol he was involved in the development of propellants for the First Stage Minuteman, Trident C-4 and D-5, and Peacekeeper missiles. During that time he also taught Propellant Chemistry for Utah State University and was a consultant for the U.S. Air Force in Foreign Technology. He was listed in Leaders in American Science, American Men and Women of Science, Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Science and Industry, Who's Who in the World, 2, 000 Outstanding Scientists in the 21st Century and received the International Einstein Award for Scientific Achievement.
He was enthusiastic about athletics and coached many Little League baseball and football teams. He also officiated at high school baseball, basketball and football games for many years.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many church callings including twice in a Stake High Council. He was an early-morning Seminary Teacher in Richland, WA and a substitute Seminary Teacher in Brigham City. He also helped with the Institute Program for Special Needs students.
In addition to filling a full-time mission as a young man, he served six stake missions and also spent fourteen years as volunteer on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. From 1990 - 1993, he served with his wife as a missionary and as the Director of the Hawaii Temple Visitors' Center. He then fulfilled a Church Service Mission in Salt Lake City (Airport/Temple Square Tours) and later served two years in the Ogden Temple.
He is survived by his wife Caryl, six children: Dale (Bob) Burns and Vicki (Ralph) Crabb, both of Orem; Diana (Dennis) Bailey, Lehi; Joe (Cyndee) Hepworth, Kaysville; Jimmy (Donna) Hepworth, El Segundo, CA; Johnny ( Jenny) Hepworth, Brigham City; 28 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings.
The family expresses thanks to Encompass/Alpine Hospice for their loving, caring help at a difficult time.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Brigham City Stake Center, 650 N. Anderson Dr., Brigham City.
Friends may call on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City and on Tuesday from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. at the Church.
Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery with Military Honors Accorded by the Combined Veterans from Box Elder County.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City
205 South 100 East
Brigham City, UT 84302
July 16, 2012
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServiceBrigham City Stake Center
650 Anderson Dr.
Brigham City, UT 84302
July 17, 2012
11:00 AM
CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery
325 South 300 East
Brigham City, Utah 84302
July 17, 2012