Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1938
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
Hoyt Brewster Obituary
1938 ~ 2024
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Teacher, Patriarch, Disciple of Christ
Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr. passed through the veil on January 18, 2024. He was born on March 12, 1938, to Hoyt William and Naomi Smith Brewster. His name and blessing ordinance was performed by his grandfather, Joseph Fielding Smith in the Garden Park Ward. He attended Emerson Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High, and East High, where he was senior class president.
He graduated from the University of Utah where he was elected as the Men's Association vice-president and president of the student senate. He was a member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity and was chosen for membership in the Owl and Key honor society.
He served on military active duty, in the Army Reserves, and in the Utah National Guard. He also was a member of the Church Military Relations Committee.
Hoyt considered the prize of his life to be his eternal companion, Judy. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 21, 1963. She supported him in his many Church callings and was the mother of four daughters and one son. Their children and grandchildren adore her, and their home was referred to as ""Grandma's House.""
Hoyt loved Christmas and was known to play Christmas music throughout the year. He was also known for his whistling and was invited to provide mini concerts whistling Christmas music. This talent was also displayed at his places of employment as well as at home.
His life was devoted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both professionally and ecclesiastically. As a young man, he served a 34-month mission in the Netherlands and Belgium. As the second counselor in the mission presidency, he participated in the organization of the first foreign speaking stake of the Church on March 12, 1960: the Holland Stake. His love for the Dutch and Flemish continued throughout his life, and he returned to the Netherlands and Belgium as the mission president in 1996. Hoyt also served as president of the Missionary Training Center in New Zealand, with Judy serving as the Relief Society president. They were later called to direct the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters in Nebraska and the Kanesville Tabernacle in Iowa.
Hoyt loved teaching and writing about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught seminary in Salt Lake and Cedar City and supervised seminary classes in the Los Angeles area. He taught in the institutes of religion in Southern California and at the University of Utah. He also taught at BYU and participated for many years in BYU Education week as an instructor and in the Know Your Religion program. He served on several General Church writing committees, on the Church Materials Evaluation Committee (Correlation), and as the executive secretary of the Latter-day Saint Student Association.
He edited and wrote numerous lessons and articles. He authored many books, including the groundbreaking Doctrine & Covenants Encyclopedia; Who's Who: A Book of Mormon Ready Reference; Isaiah Plain and Simple; Defining Moments; Prophets, Priesthood Keys and Succession; and the best-selling Behold, I Come Quickly: The Last Days and Beyond. He also contributed chapters and introductions in other books.
He earned a master's degree from Brigham Young University where his high scholarship earned him membership in Phi Kappa Phi, a national scholastic honorary organization. He earned a PhD in counseling from the University of Southern California.
Hoyt taught as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and Chapman College in southern California. In addition to teaching in the Church Education System, he also worked in the Church Curriculum Department, the Temple Department, and as the managing director of the Priesthood Department.
Beginning in 1973, Hoyt and Judy established their home in the Butler area of the Salt Lake Valley. In 2005, the area was incorporated as the city of Cottonwood Heights. During his years there, he served as bishop of the Butler 23rd Ward, as a counselor in the Butler 36th YSA Ward, as a member of the Brighton Stake high council, as a counselor in the Brighton Stake presidency, and as stake president. He was later called as patriarch of the Brighton Stake and the Cottonwood Heights Brighton Stake. He also served on the high council of the University 2nd Stake and as patriarch of the Murray Utah YSA stake.
Hoyt is survived by his wife Judy, his daughters Kimberly (Russ) Carter and Hillary (John) Young, his son M. Hoyt (Shelly) Brewster, a son-in-law Rick (Teresa) Vassar, and 14 beloved grandchildren and soon-to-be five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister Anne (Steve) Neeley and a brother F. Craig (Laurie) Brewster. He was preceded in death by two daughters: Kristen Brewster and Merrilee Fielding Vassar; and his sisters Myrle Stoker, Barbara (Donn) Amott, and Karen McMillin.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Brighton 5th Ward chapel, 2301 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 South), Cottonwood Heights, Utah. The viewing will be held at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 South) on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and the day of the service from 9:30 – 10:45 AM at the Brighton 5th Ward chapel. Interment in Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, Utah.
Thank you to the many family, friends, neighbors, members of the Cottonwood Heights Brighton stake, and the Brighton 5th Ward for your service to Hoyt. He was so appreciative of your kindness and support and loved you dearly.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94647991364
Meeting ID: 946 4799 1364
---One tap mobile
+16699006833,,94647991364# US (San Jose)
+17193594580,,94647991364# US
---
Dial by your location
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Hoyt Brewster
Sponsored by Cannon Mortuary.
Mark Jacobs
June 15, 2024
There is so much more to this man than I ever knew when I worked with him at McDonald´s on State Street in SLC. I enjoyed being around him and working with him. Had he ever revealed what he knew, I would have wanted to spend more time listening to him. Sorry to see that he has passed.
Katherine Meals
February 5, 2024
I´ll never forget at a meeting before a preparedness fair, I believe it was, he told both members of the Church, and our non-member neighbors that a religion that cannot save people temporally, cannot save them spiritually....in those or similar words. I was impressed that he had the courage to let everyone there know that!! I am also impressed that he authored books that are sold at Deseret Book, and one thin one that I bought up at our Utah State Capitol building. I think he worked for the church, and I would see him coming home on the UTA bus, being very friendly to neighbors as he got off. I already had my patriarchal blessing, but I can imagine that he was a very good, inspired patriarch.
Lynda Shaw
February 5, 2024
So grateful and blessed to have had this man part of our lives for over 50 years. We have learned, laughed and loved together.
Ferris and Lynda Shaw
Kari Howell
January 27, 2024
As a missionary, in the NAM mission, I learned and will remember many things from president Brewster. Some lessons I will take with me are Jacob 6:12 - o be wise what can I say more?, Read the book of Mormon at least 15 minutes a day every day for the rest of your life, do what´s right always without question or complaint. I remember being in a multi stake meeting when the speakers before president Brewster had gone quite long. There was a speaker going after him and he didn´t want to take his time so he stood, and sang "ik ben een kind van God" in Dutch and sat down. He was always an example of a true disciple of Christ.
Maria Moody
January 27, 2024
The heading of Hoyt's obituary is so descriptive of him. He was a disciple of Christ. Judy, your goodness is also reflected in it. You're a remarkable team as you have supported and sustained each other.
We remember our days at USC.
With tender thoughts and love,
Michael & Maria Moody
Helen W. Poelman
January 26, 2024
All through high school, college and mission days, Hoyt was a dear friend of my husband, Stuart Poelman. Stuart enjoyed and admired Hoyt always. I was grateful to become more acquainted with Hoyt in college when he and Stuart were Sigma Chi's and when he married Judy. Hoyt also served as a groomsman at our wedding. Stuart and I were privileged to visit Hoyt and Judy when they served as Mission President and were delighted in renewing friendship as both Hoyt and Stuart exchanged memories of their mission days when they were serving together as young Elders. We were generously welcomed as we stayed in the mission home with them and followed them
several days as they performed their duties with the Elders in their care. Although times together after that were few as life found us in different areas, Hoyt always remained a special friend and one we always remember with fondness, admiration and great respect.
Our love and prayers to Judy and their family on the passing of this dear man.
Jan Barney
January 24, 2024
I have loved and enjoyed Hoyt in the salon. Judy and I have became close friends as I have the opportunity to be her hairstylist for years. Getting to know smiling, caring Hoyt and hearing his stories always made my day happy and warm. Rest with peace Hoyt.
Bruce Van Orden
January 23, 2024
I had the privilege of serving on the Church's gospel doctrine curriculum writing committee from 1979 to 1984. Hoyt Brewster was our supervisor, and he often came to our committee meetings and provided wonderful counsel. I was also in seminaries and institutes. We admired Hoyt's scholarship and teaching finesse. He was a great servant in the quiver of the Almighty. May his posterity rise up and call him blessed.
Laurie (Erickson) Densley
January 22, 2024
Judy, you may not remember me, but I´m a former teaching colleague. I´ve always thought highly of you, and I just want you to know that my heart is with you. Your husband was one of my Institute teachers at the U. He was great! May you feel peace and comfort during this difficult time. I´m sending you love and hugs.
Judd Mackintosh
January 20, 2024
President Brewster was a wonderful friend and he will be missed not only for his knowledge but especially for how he made you feel when you were around him. I will especially miss his smile!!! I would always refer to him as "the ultimate/master teacher" and he would shutter because he knew that Christ is the ultimate teacher. I finally told him that his goal was to be like Christ, and that he had accomplished that goal (along with many others) of being such a great teacher. In teaching or commenting on a principle of the Gospel, he always had quotes from church leaders and a few scriptures to go along with his own thoughts. One of the greatest compliments that he shared with me was: "that if we were the same age and had grown up in the same area, he was sure that we would have been friends". Thanx for your GREAT EXAMPLE!!!
Until I see you later "My Friend"!!!
Barbara L Miller
January 20, 2024
I remember him singing Primary songs sometimes when he spoke from the podium. He was a delightful man.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in Hoyt Brewster's name
Memorial Events
for Hoyt Brewster
Jan
26
Jan
27
How to support Hoyt'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 Hoyt Brewster'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
