Ivan Gene Scovil

Ivan was born in Aurora, Utah on May 19^th, 1928.  He was the youngest of 5 children of Jesse Richard Scovil and Effie Ann Lewis.  When Ivan was eight years old his father left for Idaho Falls, leaving Effie to raise the children on her own, until they were old enough to join the military or get married.  Ivan worked, like everyone else, throwing hay, thinning sugar beets, and pumping gas.   Ivan’s surrogate Father was Robert Anderson.  No invitations, it was just understood that Ivan was part of their family.  Robert’s son, Monte was Ivan’s best friend and they did everything together, deer hunt, camping and movies.  It was 11 cents  for a movie ticket in Salina, UT.  Ivan made the short drive from Aurora to Salina to watch a Tarzan or Errol Flynn movie.   Rubber tires, not gasoline was in short supply due to WWII, so driving was a luxury.  Times were tough and everyone was poor.  The biggest event of the year was the 24^th of July for Ivan.  The hay had been cut, sugar beets thinned and it was time to let loose.  He and a few of his friends would borrow a team of horses and a wagon, then head to the mountains near Fish Lake for a week.

Since his house had no running water until after High School, he cleaned up in a #3 tub at home or a shower at school.  Ivan graduated from Sevier High School in May, 1946.  He continued working at the service station in town until he was drafted into the Army in 1950.  He took a bus ride to Ft. Douglas for processing, did basic training at Ft. Riley and AIT at Ft. Benning, where he trained  as a combat engineer.  One day at Ft. Benning the First Shirt told them that they were all some lucky SOB’s and the entire company would be going to Hanau, Germany instead of Korea.  After returning home from the service he married Doris Simper, December 13, 1952 in Salina, UT.  They moved to Bellflower, CA where he worked for the railroad as a brakeman and later, Coca-Cola.  Both their children, Deborah and Russell were born, while they lived in CA.  Ivan returned to Salina, with family in tow, and worked for his father-in-law, Leland Simper, on his ranch.  Their 3^rd child, Lewis, was born in Salina, UT.   Shortly after, they moved to Springville, UT, where he found work as a construction hand.  He had a home built in Springville and lived there until he and Doris divorced in 1969.  He moved to Summit County and worked on the Echo Junction Interstate connection.  He met and married Veleen Blonquist on November 27, 1971.  He gained three more children of Veleen’s, Marion, Georgia, and Barbara.  In 1976 they built a home in Springville, in the west fields.  Ivan, being a “Dyed-In-The-Wool” horseman, could now have a horse and a few cattle to complete his own ranch.   Throughout the years, he would help his brothers-in-law on their ranch, putting up grass hay and punching cattle.  Every year, on the deer hunt, the boys of his family would meet at “The Ranch” and have a great get together.  The hope was that the grandkids would not bag a deer.  Usually, more times than not, there were deer to clean and take home.

Ivan retired from road construction, as a heavy equipment operator, when he turned 60 years old.  Riding his horse and making leather items became his hobby.  He also enjoyed riding with his daughter up Hobble Creek Right Hand Fork, his son and grandkids in Midway and sons and grandsons on “The Deer Hunt”.  He enjoyed rodeos, dinners, and events with his sons and daughters and their families.   

Ivan is now reunited with his wife of 51 years.  He is survived by his children, Deborah (Larry) Lamb, Russell (Lisa) Scovil, Lewis (Amaria) Scovil, Marion Smith, Georgia Clegg, Barbara (Kevin) Hall,  22 Grandchildren,  38 Great-Grandchildren, 10 Great-Great Grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Vern L. Scovil, Darral J. Scovil, Ilean Clifton, Norma Robins, 2 sons-in-law, Jim Smith and Danny Clegg and 1 Great-Grandson, Luke Stephens

Services will be April 12, 2024.  Viewing will be held at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT from 10:30 – 11:30 A.M.  Graveside services are 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. at Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, Utah 1997 South 400 East, Springville, UT 84663