Paul Christiansen Burgoyne
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Paul
Christiansen Burgoyne, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 21, 2015,
in, Provo, Utah, surrounded by family at the Utah Valley Specialty
Hospital after a two month struggle to recover from complications due to
an aortic dissection. He was born in Salt Lake City on March 23, 1933,
at the Holy Cross Hospital to Alma and Katherine Burgoyne. His schooling
included a BS from the U of U, an MS in Natural Sciences from the U of
SD, and a PhD in Zoology from BYU. He served in many ways. He was a
member of the Cedar City Board of Adjustments and on the Library Board.
He was also on the Board of Directors for the Zion Natural History
Association. From 1956-1962, he was in the US Army, including sixteen
months in Germany. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, Paul served in many callings including as bishop and a
counselor in many bishoprics. Paul was a missionary in Denmark from
1952-1956 and served a temple mission with his spouse in Sweden from
1996-1997. While there, he was called by then Elder Thomas S. Monson to
be a counselor in the temple presidency. Paul and Marilyn had been
called to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple Mission and were scheduled to
report in April. Paul loved the outdoors and spending time in nature. He
worked as a Park Ranger Naturalist during summers at Zion National Park
and Navajo National Monument. He taught thousands of people about
nature and the human body at SUU. Always a devoted and talented teacher,
Paul found opportunities to share his great knowledge wherever he was,
at school, at church, in the home, in the temple, and as a guide in
Southern Utah. Visiting friends and relatives, especially foreign
visitors, enjoyed his tours. Knowing that it was everybody's
responsibility to make this great nation run, he was politically active.
His passions were reading, airplanes, motorcycles, skiing, watching
birds, and catching lizards. He could even tell you what a coyote had
eaten from its scat. Paul had the resources to act rather than simply be
acted upon as he went through life. He was always thinking of others
first, always! He was a kind and helpful person. We will miss our Dad.
Marilyn will be missing her very best friend. Paul is survived by his
spouse, Marilyn, daughter Paula Burgoyne Jenson of Cedar City, Utah
(Steve), son James Howard Burgoyne of Davenport, Florida (Rita), son
Christian Burgoyne of Arvada, Colorado (Jen), adopted son Mvemba of
Washington, D.C. (Kunda), twelve grandchildren, seven great
grandchildren, and sister, Mary Kay Mickelson. He was preceded in death
by his brother John, brother in-law Mark, Nephew Dix, and his parents,
Alma and Katherine.
Funeral services will be held Saturday,
March 28, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Cedar Stake Center, 155 East 400
South, Cedar City, Utah, with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the
service. Visitation will be held Friday, March 27, 2015 from 6:00-8:00
pm at Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 North 300 West. Interment will be in
the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.
