Bryce B. Packer

Bryce Bowen Packer passed away of interstitial lung/heart disease on May 14, 2014 at home, in Smithfield, UT.
Bryce was born at the home of his Grandparents G.L. and Anna Bowen in Beaver Dam on Christmas night December 25, 1937, to James Lyman and Valeen Bowen Packer. He was the second of four children. He was welcomed by a sister Marie, and later twins, Lynda and Lynn. His family lived in Orderville, Utah, Moody Creek, Idaho, then moved back to Beaver Dam. In 1948 the family moved to North Logan, where he went to Grade School then graduated from South Cache High School. He also attended USU. As a young man he worked for local farmers and his father. In 1958 he served a mission to the West Central States Mission.
The day he returned home from his mission in Jan. 1960 a friend introduced him to Valoy Buttars. They dated for next year and were married Feb. 24, 1961 in the Logan Temple.
Bryce served in the Army Reserve.
Bryce loved and lived for horses. He owned his first horse at age 7. While in Montana, he learned about the spotted Indian horse breed called appaloosas. Throughout his life he trained and rode many of these beautiful horses. He was instrumental in organizing the Bridgerland Appaloosa Horse Club, served as president, and made many friends. Bryce’s life was an example of hard work, devotion, and selfless service. He was an interesting conversationalist who loved to tell stories (most of them true). He enjoyed his grandkids and they endearingly called him “papa-bear”. His second loves were four-wheeling and camping. Bryce was an avid weed-free gardener, and loved each one of his 48 backyard trees.
Bryce was in the construction business for years, in 1991 he began his dream job for LDS Church Physical Facilities, then as a project manager in Northern Utah, South-East Idaho, and Wyoming building new churches or remodeling old ones.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including scout masker, teacher, High Priest group leader, and Logan Temple officiator. He loved his service in a USU young adult ward bishopric. In 2006, he served a mission with his wife Valoy in the Washington, Kennewick mission. They also served three work missions as hosts in the Church Camp Program at Cinnamon Creek Camp Ground near Paradise Utah. During these missions they met and built lifelong friendships with other missionary couples.
Bryce was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brother Lynn, and his granddaughter Clarissa Packer. He is survived by his two sisters, Marie Haney and Lynda Brennan, his wife Valoy, and their five children; Curtis (Lynell) Packer, Layne (Cheryl) Packer, Jed (Kristen) Packer, Steven (Elizabeth) Packer, Rebecca (Chad) Fisher, their 20 grand children and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, May 19, 2014 in the Smithfield 3rd Ward Chapel, 640 North 200 East in Smithfield. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Nelson Funeral Home in Smithfield, 85 South Main Street and prior to the services at the church on Monday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net . A special thanks to Encompass Hospice.