Paul M Loveless, 81, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully and surrounded by the love of his family Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Tooele, Utah, from complications of cancer.
Born Nov. 24, 1940, in Provo, Utah, Paul was the second of four children born to Bert and Elizabeth (Betty) Loveless. He spent a childhood of fun and mischief at the Tooele Ordnance Depot (TAD Park) until a later move to their home on Parkway Avenue in Tooele, Utah. Paul attended Tooele High School (Class of 1959), where he enjoyed participating on the wrestling and baseball teams. As a teenager, he worked at Swan’s grocery store. After high school, Paul attended BYU and the University of Utah.
Paul married JoAnn Johnsen in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 2, 1963. JoAnn was the love of his life and one rarely found Paul without JoAnn by his side. They lived in Provo for a short time before settling in Tooele where Paul secured a position with the United States Postal Service. He was drafted Feb. 9, 1966, into the United States Army and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany. JoAnn joined him in Germany after his completion of basic training. He served as a radio operator for the Army until his honorable discharge Jan. 20, 1968.
Paul and JoAnn returned to Tooele in 1968 and in twelve years welcomed one daughter and five sons: Stacey, Scott, Steve, Mark, Ryan, and Jeff. Paul worked as a window clerk for the Tooele Post Office for thirty-two years. He took great pride in his work and loved the associations and interactions his career afforded him.
Paul is a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his life was one filled with service to his Heavenly Father and to his gospel. He was called as the bishop of the Tooele 10th Ward in the mid 1970s. After his service as bishop, Paul was called to serve on the High Council and as Stake Young Men’s President. During this time in 1988, he was called to serve as the Stake President of the Tooele North Stake. After his retirement from the US Postal Service in 2001, Paul and JoAnn served as couple missionaries in the Athens Greece Mission (2001), Palmyra New York Temple Mission (2012), and the Salt Lake City Utah West Mission (2015) for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2020, he was called to be the Patriarch of the Tooele Valley View Stake. Paul loved the opportunity he had over sixteen collective years to serve as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple with his sweetheart. They very much looked forward to their weekly assignment in the temple, followed by lunch at his favorite Crown Burger on North Temple. He also loved attending BYU Education Week with JoAnn.
Paul had a love for vegetable gardening and beautiful flowers. He also had a love affair with ice cream and was most happy when sharing it with others. An avid sports enthusiast, Paul could often be found taking in a game, especially BYU football and basketball games. He was a lifelong LA Dodgers fan and loved Tooele High School and was often found cheering on his Buffaloes. But his favorite events to watch were those his grandkids were participating in. He particularly loved fishing trips to Strawberry Reservoir with his family and hunting outings with his sons, grandsons, and brothers.
Paul was an unwavering servant; his life was not his own. He was generous, kind, and worked hard. He found the most joy in making others happy. His love was genuine and pure. He held a deep and abiding testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, and found every opportunity to share it as he served, loved, and taught those around him.
Paul is survived by his loving wife JoAnn, and six children: Stacey (Bryant) Pankratz, Scott (Renee) Loveless, Steve (Susie) Loveless, Mark (Krista) Loveless, Ryan (Calli) Loveless, Jeff (Marisa) Loveless; 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind two brothers Boyd and Dale Loveless, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Elizabeth Loveless; his father- and mother-in-law Clarke and Elaine Johnsen; his sister and brother-in-law Joy Loveless Davis and Jack Davis; sisters-in-law Claudann Atkin Loveless and Glenda Maloney Loveless.
A viewing will be held Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele, Utah. Funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at 11 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 132 N. 570 East, Tooele, Utah. A viewing prior to services will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment to follow at the Tooele County Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Mountain West Medical Center for their loving care.