Earl Guy 'Hap' Holmstead

Earl Guy “Hap” Holmstead
1922-2011
Earl Guy Holmstead, 88, passed away peacefully at his home on May 9, 2011 in Logan, Utah. He was born Dec. 6, 1922 to Earl Eric Holmstead and Florence Hofheins in American Fork, Utah. He was a graduate of American Fork High School, Utah State Agricultural College, and received his Masters Degree from Utah State University in Educational Administration.
Hap was an outstanding athlete and played football and basketball at American Fork High School and U.S.A.C. While attending college, he met and fell in love with Leah Amacher. They married on March 31, 1944 in the Logan Temple, and together they raised nine children.
Hap taught and coached at Lehi High School from 1946-1951. The family moved to Logan in 1951 where he taught and coached at Logan High School. He was admired and respected as a coach, winning many regional championships and competing in state tournaments. After retiring from coaching in 1967, he became an administrator at the Logan School District Offices directing a variety of programs. Hap loved being involved in educating children and helping them succeed in life and was a great example to many students and players.
He loved the outdoors and for 15 years spent his summers working for the Forest Service. His interests included hiking, gardening, camping, family trips to Yellowstone, and fishing with Leah.
Hap was a wonderful father. He was a kind and gentle man, and all of his children and grandchildren knew of his love and concern for them. It was always fun to go to Grandpa’s house. Hap had a great sense of humor, always having a funny comment for any occasion. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was loved by all who knew him.
Hap was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and served faithfully in many callings. He enjoyed genealogy work and authored many family history books. One of his favorite callings was serving in the Branch Presidency for fifteen years at Logan Regional Hospital, where he loved visiting and talking with patients and staff members.
He is survived by his wife Leah and seven children, Terri (Brent) Weidman, Winnie (Stan) Thomas, Lee (Jeanne) Holmstead, Michele (Jeff) Cundick, Mary (Brad) Vaterlaus, Kellie (J.R.) Bylund, and Evan (Geri) Holmstead, 38 grandchildren, and 67 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Mary Dean and Kaye Gygi. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Janine (Preston) Ward and Jalaine (O’Dell) Speth and sisters June Nichols, Virginia May and Jean Wofford.
Funeral services will be held Saturday May 14, 2011 at 12:00 noon at the Logan Nineteenth Ward, 1255 North 600 East, Logan, UT. A viewing will be held Friday 6:00-8:00 pm at the Allen Mortuary, 420 East 1800 North, North Logan, UT and Saturday at the church 10:00-11:30 am. Interment in the Logan cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net