BOUNTIFUL- Homer Davis Stapley, age 71, died Thursday, March 30, 2000 suddenly at his home in Bountiful, ending a courageous battle with heart and kidney failure.
He was born on March 17, 1929 in Castle Gate, Utah to William Berry and Sophia Parker Stapley. He will be deeply missed by his family. Homer graduated from Provo High School in 1947 where he excelled in football. He attended Brigham Young University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Biology. In 1951 he served as a Sergeant in the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart.After returning from the war, he married his sweetheart, Maurine Myers, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on November 19, 1952. They had six children together. Maurine died in 1986. Homer's influence on his posterity will last for generations. He was uniquely drawn to his ancestors and dedicated much time and effort to genealogy and writing family histories.
Homer loved the outdoors and made a career of it. In 1957, he was hired as a biologist for Utah State Fish & Game Department. He served in several capacities throughout his 30 year career and had a significant influence on wildlife management for the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). He retired in 1987 as Deputy Director of DWR. Homer had a unique personality. The legendary "Homer" stories still circulate the halls of DWR. He was an avid Cougar fan and held season tickets to BYU football. His true joy in life was his family and grandchildren.
On June 11, 1987, Homer married Majorie Mertin in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Homer and Marg served two LDS missions in the New York Rochester Mission. Marg has been a wonderful companion especially throughout his illness.
Survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughters, Lynette (Scott) Felsted, Provo, Lisa (Brent) Singley, Kaysville, Sandy (K.C.) Logan, Kaysville; son, Mark (Anna) Stapley, Salt Lake; stepchildren, Sam (Corinne) Draper, St. George; Kris Elggren, St. George; daughter-in-law, Candace Stapley, N. Salt Lake; siblings, Helen Ross (Paul Mico), Oakland, CA; Winifred Butterfield, Riverton; Donna Rae (Hal) Jorgensen, Pleasant Grove; Hal (Jan) Stapley, Uintah; and sister-in-law, Viv Stapley, Bountiful; 18 grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife Maurine; daughter, Colette; son, Bill; his parents and brother, Stan.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2000 at 11 a.m. at the Mueller Park First Ward Chapel, 850 East 1800 South. Friends and family may call Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Tuesday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Provo City Cemetery.