1933 ~ 2018
Joseph William Sperry was born on May 10, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Died April 11, 2018. He was the fifth of six children born to Ruth Worthen Sperry and Arthur J. Sperry, Sr. He graduated from West High School.
He married Fonda Miller on September 12,1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. They celebrated 59 years of marriage, and during that time welcomed four wonderful children, two boys and two girls into their lives.
Joseph was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, and loved serving his Heavenly Father. In 1953, he was called as a missionary to the California mission. He served as district leader of the Imperial Valley in Southern California and Phoenix Arizona Districts. He was ordained Bishop of the Fourth Ward of the Temple View Stake from 1964-1970. Later, he served as a high counselor.
He moved to the South Cottonwood Stake where he had many leadership positions such as ward clerk and gospel doctrine teacher. Joseph loved music and had a beautiful singing voice, he sang in the ward choir. He played the organ for the South Cottonwood Stake Priesthood meetings for several years. He always liked playing a duet whether on the piano or organ. Joseph was a Temple Ordinance Worker in the Jordan River Utah Temple from 2000 to 2002. He then served in the Salt Lake City Temple from 2002 to July 2014.
He earned his degrees from the University of Utah, a Master of Science in 1959 and a Doctorate of Education in 1976. He began his teaching career in 1960 at East High School and taught at South High until South High closed, then went back to teach at East High until his retirement. He taught AP science, chemistry and mathematics. He taught for 41 years and worked part time at LDS Hospital as a laboratory technician for 35 years.
Joseph loved his family and worked hard to provide not only the necessities of life, but his example of encouragement, patience and kindness was exemplar. He had may talents. He could fix anything that was broken and did it willingly, he even helped build his own home. He was always ready to help his children and siblings in whatever they needed. And was happy to do it. He loved learning and was always very interested in astronomy. Many late nights, after working all day, he would spend time with his children teaching them about the solar system. In his honor, Joseph's name is being sent to the sun on the Parker Solar Probe that is leaving in the summer of 2018.
He is survived by his wife Fonda, his four children: David, Salt Lake City, UT. Julie Ann (Mark) Varner Salt Lake City, UT. Bradley, West Jordan, UT and Susan, Salt Lake City, UT. Also survived by 3 grandchildren, Brandon Varner, Cove Owen and Bronson Sperry all of Salt Lake City, UT. One great grandchild Riley Varner, sisters Annarae Ploeger & Kathleen Nelson, one sister in law, Carol Sperry as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Arthur, whom he adored, sister Marva Rudd, and husband Glenn, his brother, Kenneth & wife Dolly, his brother's-in law H. John Ploeger and Larry Nelson.