1934-2018
Beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend, Reed Richards (“Dick”) Callister left mortality on February 21, 2018. Born on April 27, 1934 in Glendale, California, Dick is the eldest child of Reed Eddington Callister and Effie Norinne Richards. His siblings include David R. Callister (deceased), Douglas Lane Callister, Paula Kaye Callister (deceased), Tad Richards Callister, and Susan Jane Callister Becker. After growing up in southern California, he served an LDS mission in the British Isles from 1954 to 1956, primarily in Scotland. Upon completion of his Church service, he graduated from Brigham Young University in 1958, majoring in political science.
After marrying Julianne Broberg on June 10, 1959 in the Mesa Arizona Temple, with his grandfather apostle Elder LeGrand Richards officiating, he completed law school at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1961. Dick subsequently served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in the Azores Islands in the Atlantic on a NATO base and in Mountain Home, Idaho as part of the Judge Advocate General legal offices. Following his honorable discharge with the rank of Captain, he settled in Glendale and La Canada, California to practice law with his father, Reed. He and Julianne were blessed with six children: Stephen Reed, Mark Alden, Lucianne (deceased), Gregory Todd, Jonathan Charles, and James Barton Callister. They divorced.
He subsequently married Virginia Lynn Clark on August 18, 1989 in the Provo Utah Temple, and added the blessing of five more children to their family: Carolyn, Suzanne, William Jared, Christine, and Jenilynn Scott.
He served in many Church callings, including bishop of the La Canada Ward in California for nine years. He served in many capacities with the youth, stake assignments, and in additional bishoprics. In the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center, he served as branch president in the Russian Branch (2005-2009). His family history research and service in the Provo Utah Temple for 17 years has blessed the lives of many on both sides of the veil. He served a mission with his wife, Lynn, in the Ukraine Kyiv Temple (2012-2013). How he enjoyed this 18 month service among his beloved Eastern Europeans. As a gospel scholar he continued to serve in a variety of Church callings all the days of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn, and their children Stephen (Kristine Bornais), Mark (Colette Williams), Carolyn (Bret Bailey), Greg, Suzanne (Larry Hooper), William Jared (Heather French), Jonathan (Jenni Murdoch), Christine (Taylor McDonald), James (Kirsten Glazier), and Jenilynn (Duane Frizell), 51 wonderful grandchildren and nine amazing great grandchildren.
Beyond the facts of his life are the feelings of his wife, children, and friends who were blessed by his strength, love, counsel, and guidance over many years. As a father, he always willing to give all that he had to his family and those who suffered.
His presence and constant love and encouragement cannot be replaced and will be missed by all. In the estimation of those who knew him, there are few who better deserve the acknowledgement, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
In a celebration of his remarkable life, there will be a family visitation held at Walker Sanderson Mortuary, 646 East 800 North, Orem, Utah on Friday, March 2, 2018. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with family visitation at 10:00 a.m. at the Sharon East Stake Center, 1060 East 2400 North, Provo, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund would be appreciated.
Kent's funeral notes: Dick knew adversity. He dealt with the death of a child, money difficulties, divorce and cancer. His children said he was like a Russian bear in that he kept going despite all difficulties. Another child said he often quoted a Scottish poem in which it was said "he was down and bloody but he got up and kept fighting.
He provided and did the temple work for thousands. He had great physical strength. One son said he single handily emptied an entire load of household goods in a few minutes. He was sealed to 11 children. The five that were not his biological children apparently felt just as loved and included as his biological children. Many of his children decided to be lawyers.
The two uncles and six children that spoke all testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ. After the service I visited my 93 year old mother who is in a care facility. She knew the Callisters. After I told her some of the above she looked at me and said, "You know I don't think it is possible for a Callister to be a non member." The strength, commitment and love of the family was evident through out the service.
He wrestled, played with, and did magic tricks for his grandchildren.
