Richard Smoot Nixon

Richard Smoot Nixon was born on April 14, 1930, in Provo, Utah, to St. Clair and Lyle Glazier Nixon. He was the third of four children. He was surrounded by family when he peaceably passed away on August 13, 2022.

Richard graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1948. After graduating, he worked four jobs to earn enough money to attend two quarters at Brigham Young University (BYU). He worked for Harold I. Bowman and Sons at Jacob Lake, Arizona, before he was called to West Germany to serve a mission from December 1949 to October 1952.

When Richard returned from his mission he went back to BYU where he met his eternal companion, Loretta Dalbey. They first met in November 1952 and were engaged the following Valentine’s Day. They were sealed on March 31, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Richard was inducted into the United States Army in May of 1953. He served during the Korean War in Germany. Loretta joined him in July 1954 after a 9-month separation. They returned to the states together in May 1955. They lived with Loretta’s parents in Walnut Creek, California, where Richard worked as a pumping plant operator. They returned to Provo for Richard to attend BYU once again. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting on June 6, 1958.

Upon graduation he was employed with Uarco Business Forms for 12 years. During those years they lived in Salt Lake City, UT; Boise, ID; Phoenix, AZ (where he was promoted to manager), Seattle, WA and then finally back to Salt Lake City. He left Uarco in 1969 and started Fine Line Printing and Nu Business Systems. He went on to run Nu Business Systems for over 50 years, still selling business forms at the age of 89.

He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many church callings throughout his life including Scout leader, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Bishop, Stake President, Regional Representative, Mission President of the California Sacramento Mission from 1996 to 1999, District President at the Provo MTC, a temple worker (for almost 10 years) and as a Patriarch. During his church service, he had many unique opportunities such as serving as Bishop while building the Bellevue 2nd ward church house, and serving as President of the Idaho Genealogical Society. He was also instrumental in establishing Family History Centers throughout the Utah South Area.

Richard and Loretta raised five children. They enjoyed many family activities: camping in the Uinta Mountains, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, pressing apple cider, and teaching his children how to work hard.

Richard is survived by his wife Loretta whom he loves with his whole heart. They were married for 69 years. He is also survived by his five children and their spouses: Richard Steven (Debbie Charles), Chris (Don) Fletcher, Catherine (Bryan) King, Carol (Phillip) Tree, and James (RuthAnn Bringhurst). Richard is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Maline (Nixon) and Marion Hansen and a sister-in-law Joyce Nixon, brother-in-law, Dan Dalbey, sister- in-law

Hannah Lee Dalbey. Richard was preceded in death by two brothers, James Glazier Nixon and Stanley Reed Nixon, as well as his parents, St. Clair and Lyle Glazier Nixon. Richard and Loretta have 21 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers at the Bennion Veteran’s Home for their extensive and unending kindness and loving service to Richard and his family.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Funeral Services

All events will take place at the Mapleton White Church - 31 West Maple Street, Mapleton, Utah 84664

Friday, August 19 - 6:00-8:00 p.m. public viewing

Saturday, August 20

12:30-1:30 p.m. public viewing

2:00-3:00 p.m. memorial service

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the services HERE