Jules S. Dreyfous 1918 ~ 2011
Jules S. Dreyfous died quickly and quietly on March 3rd after a sudden and unexpected stroke. It was a peaceful passing, surrounded by family. He lived a robust life and would have turned 93 years old this March 25th. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1918 to Emmanuel Dreyfous and Marie Tobias, Jules grew up in New Orleans, and Memphis but he called Salt Lake City home. An avid fisherman, geologist, and birdwatcher, Jules loved the western skies, waters and wildflowers. He delighted in the simple things in life -- a powder day at Alta, a July drive to marvel at the Albion Basin wildflowers, the return of the Western Tanager, a hand packed tuna lunch on a riverbed, a ripe Green river melon, freshly picked raspberries and the first ear of summer corn. Jules was an active businessman and community leader. In addition to running a family department store, The Paris Company, he was one of the original investors of the Alta Corporation, a founder of the Utah Nature Conservancy, and YMCA Camp Rogers and a board member of the Utah Museum of Natural History, The Hogle Zoo, Tracy Aviary, and Utah Historical Society. A passionate advocate of Main Street, he was The President of the Downtown Merchants Association, and an active member of the Utah Chamber of Commerce. He also proudly represented Salt Lake and the United States on several Federal trade missions, including the first behind the Iron Curtain after World War II. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1938. He was an enthusiastic member of the College Glee Club, loved big band music and was a Golden Glove heavyweight boxing champion. In 1941 he enlisted in the Army/Air Force and served in the Pacific for three years. There he earned a bronze star and the rank of Captain for his service. He never talked much about the war, but often said it was his ranch in Pinedale, WY that helped him recover from what he saw there. He spent many happy hours on the Salt Lake Country Club greens golfing and kibitzing with friends at the Alta Club. He loved a good game of cribbage, bridge and backgammon. He collected jokes, western paraphernalia, history books, coins, coupons and magazines. Often described as a bear of a man, (half Teddy, half Grizzly) he had a booming voice, a belly laugh and ferocious appetite for life and learning. In the latter part of his life it was fishing trips to Pinedale and camping trips to the west desert that gave him a sense of peace, place and wonder. He is survived by his wife Margaret Chase Dreyfous, his sister Sylvia Dreyfous Lieberman and three children Susan Dreyfous Farbman (husband Max Farbman), James Chase Dreyfous (wife Geralyn Dreyfous) and John Ewing Dreyfous. He leaves six grandchildren and two great grandchildren who knew him as Poppy and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews who called him "Uncle Brother". He will be missed and remembered by many. In the final months of his life he was blessed by the attentive and loving care of Visiting Angels, Millcreek Home Care and Hospice and the extraordinary staff at Sunrise Senior Living. A viewing will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor 3651 S. 900 E. from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on Friday March 11th. A graveside service will be held on Saturday March 12th at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Utah Nature Conservancy and the YMCA Camp Rogers. Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com