Jay Ronald Mortensen

Jay Ronald Mortensen passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21st, at his home in Springville, Utah, surrounded by his family.

Born August 27th, 1946 in Springville, Jay left a lasting legacy of leaving people, places, and communities better than he found them. His example of hard work, dedication and unassuming selfless service left a permanent impression on the people of Springville, on his church, and most especially, on his family, who carry forward his legacy of hard work and service to this day.

Jay was raised in Springville, where he ran track for Springville High School, graduating in 1964. After graduation, he served in the Utah National Guard and served a mission in the Texas State Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1965 to 1967. Upon his return, Jay married his sweetheart, Marilyn Joy Durrant on November 21st, 1967 in the Manti, Utah temple. They settled in Springville where they raised their family and have remained for the past 57 years.

Early on in their marriage, Jay actively sought to serve the Springville community, when in 1973, he volunteered to become one of the first EMTs on the newly established Springville Ambulance Volunteer Emergency Rescue Service (known as S.A.V.E.R.S.) where he would go on to serve for 15 years. During the years Jay and Marilyn raised their family, Jay found a variety of ways to serve the community, spending many years as a Springville youth baseball coach, supporting high school events, and overseeing the Art City Days parade and festivities.

Jay also served in various church callings, including several times as a Bishopric Counselor; once as a member of the High Council in the Springville Stake; 12 years as Stake Executive Secretary in the Springville West Stake; Branch President at the Ashford Assisted Living & Memory Care facility for five years; and as Stake Patriarch for the past three years until his passing.

The impact Jay had on those who knew him--whether casually or closely--was manifested through his people-oriented approach to service and the lasting effect he had on the lives he touched. The admiration and respect he earned through his many years of service was universal throughout the Springville community. A true tribute to Jay’s genuine love for people and his dedicated service was in the way people Jay served with spoke about him. When a newly called Stake President asked the Stake President Jay served with for advice, his response was immediate. "Find a Jay Mortensen to be your Executive Secretary--if you can."

Jay was preceded in death by his mother Bertha Maurine Fullmer Mortensen; his father Alex Holden Mortensen; brothers Kenneth Mortensen, Clyde Mortensen, and Paul Mortensen; and daughter-in-law Lisa Jane Mortensen.

He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn Joy Durrant Mortensen; brothers Bob Mortensen (Sandy) and Karl Mortensen (Vicki); and his sister Marilyn Warner (Kenneth); children Jay Rhett Mortensen (Emily); Trent Alex Mortensen (Jana); Clint B. Mortensen (Natilee); Audra Joy McHoes (Tom); Kam Durrant Mortensen (Brittney); and Quinn Spencer Mortensen (Leslie). Jay is also survived by his 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, May 28th at 11 a.m. in the Springville West Stake Center located at 996 West Center Street in Springville, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held the evening prior, on Tuesday, May 27th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wheeler & Sundberg Mortuary located 211 East 200 South in Springville, Utah. There will be an additional viewing for family and friends Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Springville West Stake Center prior to the funeral. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery following the funeral.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.