Sydney Carter James, 97, died Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Springville, Utah, having lived a full, rich life with ranching roots, a firm faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a great love for and from family and friends, a profession as an educator, and having served both God and country. A hard worker, Syd especially enjoyed working outdoors or completing home improvement projects for himself or his family, even well into his 90s. But he may have been best known for his friendly demeanor. He greeted both friends and strangers with a smile, always stopping to chat with folks during his frequent walks through his neighborhood. Syd was born March 16, 1928, in Ogden, Utah, to Ferris and Vera Carter James of Park Valley, Utah. He was the youngest of three sons. They first lived in a home without electricity or indoor plumbing; he and his brothers slept in one bed. He spent most of his teenage years on the Muddy ranch and a two-room log house near Park Valley. He attended secondary school in Brigham City, 120 miles away. After his first two years of college at Utah State University, Syd was called as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission, headquarters in Denver, Colorado. He served in Rapid City, South Dakota; Durango, Colorado; and Las Vegas, New Mexico. After his mission, Syd married Dawn Gardiner, on April 16, 1954, in the Logan Utah Temple. Dawn was also a returned missionary with ranching roots nearby in Malta, Idaho. They had five children together. She died in 2004, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary. Syd received bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees from Utah State and a PhD from Oregon State University in 1961. His professional experience in agricultural economics at New Mexico State, Iowa State, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Brigham Young University included teaching, research, authoring textbooks and supervising undergraduate and post-graduate students. The GI Education Bill helped finance Syd’s education; his undergraduate studies included Air Force Science, and he graduated as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His obligatory military service was done in base supply at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, which included several assignments to other parts of the world. Syd’s service in the Church also included Scoutmaster, twice as bishop and as a stake presidency counselor. After his retirement in 1993 and prior to his wife’s passing, Syd and Dawn served as senior service missionaries at Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri, in Hanoi, Vietnam, and twice in Vientiane, Laos. Syd served 14-plus years as a Mount Timpanogos Temple ordinance worker. Syd married Carolyn Mock in 2008. They served as Family History missionaries at the BYU library, then volunteered at the Timpanogos Hospital for several years. Their favorite pastime was going 4-wheeling all along the Wasatch Range. Syd was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carl and Lynn, and wife Dawn. He is survived by his children Susan Holman, Clair James (Bernice Hausman), Cheryl Taylor (Scott), LeAnn Hunter (Michael), and Jennifer Spell (Jonathan); 19 grandchildren; 20 plus great-grandchildren; and wife Carolyn. Syd’s children thank the Ashford Assisted Living and Memory Care staff in Springville for their kind, constant care as he spent his last 18 months there due to progressing dementia. Syd’s children will receive friends Friday, April 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Berg Mortuary of Orem, 500 North State Street. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Orem Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah. Condolences may be extended online at www.bergmortuary.com.