Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1941
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Stan Checketts Obituary
He was born February 6, 1941, in Logan, Utah to Dora Wood and Floyd Reading Checketts. He grew up in Cache Valley and graduated from South Cache High School. Taking classes at night, he became a Journey Wireman and traveled across the country doing jobs for the Electrical Union.
Stan married Jolene Peterson. They shared many experiences and adventures together while raising their six children. They were later divorced, but have remained good friends. Stan married Sandy Barber on June 15, 1982 and they were sealed one year later in the Logan LDS Temple.
Stan served in the United States Army Reserve, with an honorable discharge. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and cherished the friendships that were forged from the callings he held throughout those years. He was a pillar of kindness and honesty.
Stan was an entrepreneur, and started Custom Manufacturing, building beautiful cabinets for residential and commercial businesses. Later, he started making bungee equipment and towers-installing them around the world. He loved to thrill people and soon higher-thrill amusement rides followed with one of the most notable, the Big Shot on top of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. As the first tower rides were installed at various amusement parks, he made it a practice to stand on top of the towers at the grand openings. His rides can be found in 28 countries around the globe. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for his high-speed coaster, Dodompa.
Whoever worked for Stan in his various businesses knew they were considered family. He truly cared about those who worked for him. He was a man of many words and stories; a man of true integrity.
Stan was an adventurer and enjoyed climbing the highest peaks he could while snowmobiling. He loved spending time with family and friends at his cabin in the mountains. He was excited this past summer to build a yurt for his family to enjoy as well. Stan and Sandy did everything together, whether it was working or playing. They enjoyed traveling around the world and close to home, as long as they were together.
Stan is survived by his wife, Sandy, and children: Chris (deceased) (Sandra) Checketts, Ray (Colette) Checketts, Jed Checketts, Quin (Miwako) Checketts, Mindy (Mike) Threet, Cody (Emily) Davis, Dusty (Tonya) Davis, Cami (Mike) Boehme, Kevin (Jessica) Checketts, Javier (Ann) Romero, and Mariana Woods, along with 33 grandchildren and their 5 spouses, and 9 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his four siblings, Duane Checketts, Mary Ann Parker, Nadine Ricks, and Douglas Checketts, and his son, Chris Checketts.
The family would like to express their gratitude for Dr. Brian Vernon, to the staff at Logan Regional Hospital and McKay Dee Hospital, and the Rocky Mountain Hospice Team for the professional care given to Stan.
A Graveside service will be held for immediate family only at the Providence Cemetery, Providence, Utah. As per Stan's request, a Celebration of Life will be held at his Recreation Center, 805 Canyon Road, Providence, UT on Thursday, January 6, 2022. Friends and relatives may stop by anytime between 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Parking is limited so if possible, please car pool. Those attending can share their favorite memories, photos, etc., during the celebration. Memories can also be shared with the family at http://www.StanChecketts.com/remember/. The obituary may be viewed at www.whitepinefunerals.com
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stan Checketts
Sponsored by White Pine Funeral Services - Logan.
3 Entries
Thomas Woodard
June 21, 2023
https://www.hjnews.com/.../article_14966caa-b1b3-5b37...
I could not let any more time pass before I told you all about a most unique friend of mine who passed away early this year.
Stan Checketts was a man with boundless energy and drive and an eternally youthful enthusiasm for life. He also had one of those rare minds which are wonderful to be mentored by in this life.
Stan was independent at an early age, he told me once 12 years old,. He was completely self made, although he also inspired others around him to rise to any occasion he was involved in as well.
I have never met a more unique and powerful man, with a magnetic presence and boundless belief in the art of making things possible.
Two quick stories: I was flying to a North Carolina town on my birthday, March 12, 1992 to make a presentation to a City Council so a bungee tower could be permitted there. I had not wanted to travel on my birthday, but there was no missing that council meeting. Still, halfway through the flight, the entire flight crew came down the aisle with a birthday cake, singing happy birthday to me! Stan had secretly had a cake smuggled on the plane, and somehow engaged the flight crew to sing to me and serve me the cake.
Teresa and I went to Logan Utah for New Year's Eve, 1997. Stan had invited some 30 guests, and given each $2,500 dollars of Monopoly Money, having set up all kinds of games (yes, including poker where he was really good) that he promised to change in for real money at 12:30, when he would blow a whistle and everyone had to stop their games. But, at 11:45 PM, Three Logan County Sherrifs came through the front door and shouted for us all to freeze, and put our hands on the table. They handcuffed Stan after taking our photos and info, and were about to take him outside and off to jail, when Stan stopped, and shouted out to his wife Sandy, "Sandy, do we still have one of them there cards?". "I'll check Stan" came the soft voice of his lovely, sweet souled wife. Soon from the kitchen Sandy yelled out, "I have one more left Stan, and she excitedly ran to where the Sherrifs and Stan were clogging the entryway and handed the main Sheriff a small yellow card. "The Sheriif took off his hat in feigned anger and said "Shoot, boys, it's official, we're going to have to let him go!", and he held up a Monopoly Get Out Of Jail Free card. Finally. everyone broke out in tht overbearing laughter of big relief at the joke. They all stayed and played games and ate sandwiches with us afterwards! Best god damned joke I have ever seen pulled on others in my life, as only his wife knew about this!
It turned out that Stan had worked closely with the Sherrif's to form and train the Cache County Search and Rescue team. Stan was an inventor of many innovations on snowmobiles, and was the winner of King of The Hill competition in Jackson, Wyoming I think in 1989.
He was a brilliant inventor who would stay up night and day when he had a new idea, and be making and testing things until he would bring his best model of it to engineers who worked for him to blueprint out wht he had done.
The Big Shot ride on the top of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas was his invention, and the first of its kind to use compressed air, giant pistons and cables with pulleys, and a composite tube as a dual system of driving and breaking with the same air. He went on to invent many unique things, as the article below details way more than I will. So are roller coasters that are propelled from ground level, and some monster swing rides out over incredibly tall canyon cliffs. Maybe someday I will write about his idea to launch satellites using compressed air, which was only one of other areas he hopped into and innovated.
Aside from his childish enthusiasm was a man full of common sense and a serious work ethic.
Stan was an inspiration in my life in so many ways. I wish each of you could have known him. Rest in Peace, Stan Checketts. Thank you for your incredible, powerful spirit, your friendship and your example to me, which I will always carry with me. Thomas Woodard
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Larry Hays
January 5, 2022
To Sandy and the extended family of Stan Checketts
I have known Stan for over 30 years. My first introduction to Stan was an impromptu meeting when he walked into my offices at Arrow Dynamics. He was on a "mission" to find a restraint system for a new tower ride he was developing. That meeting lead to the Stratosphere Tower project and the rest is history!
I had the pleasure of doing consulting and sales work for Stan for a number years. Stan was a true innovator with a larger than life personality. Stan never seemed to be challenged once he focused on his latest attraction. Once Stans concept started to take shape his engineering group was tasked with bringing it to fruition.
I will miss his smile and confident demeanor! Stan was one-of-a-kind.
My warmest regards to Sandy and his family for their loss.
Sharon Daines Wagner
January 4, 2022
Oh Stan, we will all miss you and Heaven is gonna be a lot more fun now!!!
Stan served as a counselor and dear friend to my first husband Paul Daines (deceased) in a Bishopric in a married student ward up at USU and those were some crazy fun years. Stan and Sandy were the epitome of a happily married couple and were a supreme example to all of us.
When my husband Paul passed, Stan was a true friend to mourn his loss with me. My heart is with you Sandy. May God bless you and your family at this tender time. We will ALL miss Stan.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Stan Checketts's name
Memorial Events
for Stan Checketts
People and places connected with Stan
Recent Obituaries
How to support Stan's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Stan Checketts's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
