Kenneth Everett Shakespear

Kenneth Everett Shakespear

Cedar City, Utah - Surrounded by family and his eternal companion, "Rett" Shakespear peacefully passed away March 25, 2021 at his home in Cedar City, Utah. He was born December 13, 1941 in Boulder, Utah as the best birthday present his mother Dixie could have ever received. (Or so he liked to remind her.) His father, Eldredge R Shakespear, was a hero to Rett and he loved his parents with all of his heart. He was the oldest of eight children - three sisters and four brothers. They grew up in Tropic, Utah in an environment full of love, hard work and the Gospel.

As a child, Rett enjoyed working on the farm and in the orchard. He loved sleeping under the stars with his little brother on cattle and sheep runs in the summer on his "home on the range." He worked from 12 years old as a dishwasher in Bryce Canyon and would run down the Navajo Loop trail after work to get home each night. In high school Rett was an athlete, student body president, seminary president and heartbreaker. He easily swooned his sweetheart Christine at a young age. The day after graduation he left to go to Jenny Lake Lodge where he worked as a chef and started his lifelong love of cooking. Once he returned home, he left Christine with a promise ring while he left to New York for two years to serve his mission. His time as a missionary is one he cherished his entire life. Later in life when his memory would fail him, he would always be able to recall his time as a missionary. (Though he never did grow to love New York pizza.)

Rett and Christine were married for eternity March 28, 1964 in the St. George temple. Together they forged a lasting foundation built on service, love, and testimony. His legacy continues in the lives of his four children and their families. He naturally was able to find the good in everyone. He lived his testimony and blessed many through his kind acts of service, often done in secret. As a strong advocate of "Everything we have is the Lord's," he brought hope to many in some of the darkest of circumstances.

With Christine at his side, they created a Gospel centered home for their four children in a loving home where strangers would often be found coming and going. Rett and Christine were known for bringing people over for dinner every night and offering a warm home for people to stay in as long as they needed. In this setting, faith and testimony flourished. As a family they would wake at 5am each day to study scriptures, and would never start the day without a prayer.

Rett lived a life full of hard work. Shortly after his marriage to Christine, he again worked at Bryce Canyon, but now as a chef. They then moved to Cedar City where he worked at CSU (now known as SUU) in food service. He then was asked to go to Dixie State to be over the food and housing, where he and Christine were "dorm parents" for 100 girls at the Dixie Anna dorms. After running the beloved Town and Country Restaurant in Cedar City, Rett was known and loved for his time as a real estate agent and broker/owner of ERA Realty Center. His time and success in Real Estate never went to his head, instead he always made sure to give back by donating generously to the community. He served on the Iron County School Board for fourteen years and was able to hand each of his children their high school diploma. In 2017 he received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce. He left a legacy of hard work, honesty and dedication to people that can never be replaced. Needless to say, he was an outstanding leader who employed many and was loved and looked up to as a great boss and mentor.

Tropic, Boulder and Bryce Canyon have a very special place in his heart. He enjoyed the outdoors and would often be found taking his family on drives to see the beautiful creations around them. He loved going to the lake with his family, spending time at their cabin in Panguitch Lake and traveling the world with his wife.

He served faithfully in everything he did. He loved his time serving as bishop of the 6th ward. He served with all of his heart and gave everything mentally, spiritually and physically to the members of his ward. He also cherished his time serving in the Stake Presidency. He was dedicated and had a deep love for the Boy Scouts of America. He was awarded the "Silver Beaver" and "Paramount" award and dedicated many years of his life to the program. Later in life he loved serving in the St. George temple with his wife Christine. He understood and lived the principle that by serving his fellow man, he was serving his Heavenly Father. Above all, he loved his Savior and without a doubt, enjoyed a sweet reunion with the One he devoted his life to.

He is fondly remembered and survived by his loving wife Christine and children: Kenneth Shakespear, Stephanie (Roger) Hulet, Michelle (Erik) Halladay, and Toni (Romar) Carl.

Grandchildren: Hailey (Tristan), Alex (Logan), Lindsey (Josh), Kole (Kensie), Ryan (Elizabeth), Kaden, Isaiah, Andie, Jacob, Sam, Sara, Abby, Carrie, Ben, and 12.5 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, nurses, hospice staff, friends, relatives and the mortuary for their endless service and love for Rett. Your sacrifice and selfless service will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 11:00 am at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N. 300 W. Cedar City, UT). A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Mortuary and again on Monday March 29, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am at the Mortuary. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. The funeral service will be live streamed through Southern Utah Mortuary's website. Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com.