Richard Aaron Capener

Richard Aaron Capener passed away after years of declining health on Saturday March 2, 2024, in Brigham City, Utah just weeks shy of his 91st birthday. He spent his life dedicated to his faith, family and the farming legacy entrusted to him by his grandfather and father. He was a man of great integrity who could not be dissuaded from his belief in what he thought was right. 

Richard was born minutes after his twin brother Robert on March 21, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Leland Smith Capener and Helen Mar Lee Capener. He was raised in Riverside, Utah, working on the family farm which was homesteaded by his grandfather Joseph Aaron Capener, and continues to be owned and operated by his sons and grandsons today. He graduated from Bear River High School, and then attended the University of Utah while living with his grandparents in Salt Lake City. He left his studies there to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in what was then known as the Spanish American Mission, under the leadership of President Harold I. Bowman, serving among the Spanish speaking people of Texas and New Mexico. Upon returning from his mission, he courted and married Barbara Ward who had been a childhood friend throughout their years growing up in Riverside. They were married in the Logan Temple July 12, 1957. During this same time he transferred to Utah State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education and with a minor in physics, going on to complete coursework for a Master’s degree. His teaching career spanned 31 years, all of which were spent teaching algebra, geometry, trigonometry and physics at Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah where many students fondly remembered the great influence he had on them in preparing for future careers. In all those years he arrived at school a half hour early to tutor students who might need help, and he only missed two or three days of work. During his years of teaching, and for the remainder of his life he worked with his father and then his sons and grandsons to run the family farm which prospered under his wise management and direction. 

He served diligently in the church throughout his life as a stake missionary, gospel doctrine and priesthood quorum instructor, high councilor, and bishop’s counselor, and as the first bishop of the Belmont 2nd Ward. He and Barbara also served as officiators in the Logan Temple for 14 years before being called to serve in the Nauvoo Temple for six months during the period of time preceding and immediately following its dedication. His community service included helping in the organization and development of the Riverside Culinary Water System, the Bear River Valley Canal Board, and various other farm related organizations. 

His pride and joy was his posterity which included his daughter DeAnn Capener Hill (husband Lawrence) living in Farmington, Utah; sons GlenLee Capener (wife Tammy) and Jay Aaron Capener (wife Kristi), both living in Riverside, Utah; and Ken W Capener (wife Laurie) living in Washington, Utah. The loves of his life were his 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren with two more expected to join the family this coming year. His face lit up whenever they were in his presence. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister Joyce Capener Cornwall, and his twin brother Robert Lee Capener. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his sister MarLee Vause and her husband Richard living in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his sister-in-law Pauline Capener living in Ogden, Utah. 

The family would like to thank all those who showed kindness, love and patience to Dad especially during this last year of his life spent at The Sandstone Care Center in Brigham City. There were many family members, neighbors and friends who brightened his days when he needed it most with cards, letters and visits.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Noon with a viewing held prior from 9:30-11:30 A.M. All services will be held at the Belmont 2nd Ward Chapel (16925 N 5200 W, Garland). Interment will be held in the Riverside Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.