F. Calvin Packard, 91, of Springville Utah, passed away as he wished; peacefully, independently, his car keys in his pocket and in his own home during the early morning hours of Friday August 31st, 2018. He passed due to incidents of age. Cal was born on April 16th, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lela Boyer Packard and Fay Crandall Packard.
He was the oldest of three children with a younger sister and brother. With a full pioneer pedigree on both sides he lived in Springville all his life, always proud of his strong heritage. As a creative, intuitive child Cal was a born leader and often organized his friends into all kinds of adventures.
These traits combined with self-discipline and critical thinking served him well throughout his life. In childhood he spent his time with his horses and two favorite dogs, Quill and Mungawungadede. His favorite thing was the horse drawn summer trips his family made to their cabin at Strawberry.
As a youth Cal was an exceptionally fast runner and highly sought after for track and field, until a severe bout of rheumatic fever ended his running career. During high school Cal had a unique mix of popularity and shyness that had a mystifying effect on the girls that sought his attention. Even then his leadership was evident as he served as Senior class president.
As soon as he was able he enlisted in the armed services and shipped out as a navy seaman at the end of World War II, serving out his active duty in the Philippines. Not long after his return from the service he found himself in the company of some very attractive BYU freshman girls. One especially attracted his attention and he recounts how with sweaty hands and beating heart he pounded out the only song he knew on an old piano to impress her.
It worked and in no time he was “going with” his life time love, Betty Belle Matis. The two were soon engaged but before they were married it was decided he would serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He went to the North Central States Mission and Betty went to Finland, with her family, for two years.
Finally, on August 8th, 1950 they were sealed as eternal sweethearts in the Manti temple. Cal chose to study finance at BYU and graduated at the top of his class. He decided to work for the family owned Springville Banking Company which later became Central Bank and Trust.
He learned and mastered every job in the bank from janitor, to teller and ultimately president and CEO. With the devotion of his brother, Brent Packard, the bank flourished. As the bank’s success grew and many pitfalls were averted he continually credited divine “miracles and blessings”.
He was a prudent and wise executor of what he felt was his family stewardship. Tenderly remember by those he worked with as a gentle and soft-spoken role model of how to treat others. There is a long list of professional, community and ecclesiastical titles that Cal acquired throughout the years, but the binding substance of his achievements was always his love of service and concern for others.
Whether he was bank president, CEO, president of numerous banking associations, councilman, mayor, bishop or stake president he never took pride in the status of such positions but in the opportunity to help and serve those he loved. Whether in career, community or congregations, he affected the lives of many for good. Cal had an irrepressible creative gift.
He was imbued with an intuitive eye for natural beauty and an instinctive draw to the aesthetic. He was inspired by all that is beautiful. His creative mind was always bursting with artistic expression whether found in his beautiful landscape oil paintings, rock art or just observations of nature’s wonders this passion was the language of his soul.
Equaling his love of natural beauty was Cal’s deep dedication and testimony of the gospel he loved. He lived by the principles handed down to him from his forefathers, “be clean, be honest, be faithful, work hard”. He continually sought divine guidance in all aspects of his life and was always willing to share good council founded in his own well-loved scriptures and personal stories.
His humble love of the Savior and his devotion to his convictions were an inspiration to generations. Above all, family mattered most to Cal. He loved them all from the oldest child to the youngest great-grandchild and especially his dear sweetheart.
As a “homebody” Cal may have never left Springville but Betty’s love of travel and his love for her took them all over the world. It was precious time together discovering cultures and exotic treasures. Cal’s posterity knew he loved them, and they sought him out when in need of direction or common-sense advice.
They knew they could depend on him for his incredible insight. Grandpa was a trusted confidant that despite the problem or situation would not judge them. His unfailing expressions of love and care toward those he treasured most stood as a comforting support and buttress against the heartaches and fears of life.
With the recent passing of his wife, Betty Belle, his heart was broken but not his spirit! His “never quit” attitude was perfectly represented by his last effort in the yard he loved. Recently Cal set out to prune a favorite bush in his backyard.
When found surrounded by stacks of limbs and his energy spent, he was asked about this a “pruning neigh unto death”. He grinned and with his usual optimistic outlook said, “wait until you see it in the spring! ” We will miss his gentle touch, soft demeanor, sound wisdom and fierce declarations of love but his influence is forever retained in all of us.
Now reunited with his sweetheart and oldest son he is content. It is easy to hear his distinctive voice say “God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. F. Calvin Packard was preceded in death by his soul mate of 67 years, Bette Belle Matis Packard, his infant son Bruce Calvin Packard, his parents Lela Boyer Packard and Fay Crandall Packard, and his sister Glida Packard Wright.
He is survived by his children Gail (David) Olsen, Matt (Louann) Packard, Laura (Samuel) Savage, Karen (Gregg) Smith, and Mark (Wendy) Packard, brother Brent (Janet) Packard, 20 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, all who cherished him. As one great grandchild remarked “he was the last of the “greats”…Yes, he was, in so many ways. We love you.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel located at 355 E Center Street in Springville. There will be a viewing held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S. in Springville and at the Chapel on Friday one hour prior to the services. Interment will in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
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