Charles Ray Rasmussen

Charles Ray Rasmussen August 1, 1926 – August 13, 2018 Charles Ray Rasmussen, 92, peacefully passed away of causes incident to age August 13, 2018, having live a long, full life. Charles was born August 1, 1926 in Ephraim, UT to Charles Homer and Caroline Roena Peterson Rasmussen. His mother passed away shortly after his birth and he was raised by his father, sisters, and neighborhood women until the age of 2, when he went to live full time in Manti with his married sister, Irla (Claud) Maylett. She became his dear mother. Charles Ray or “Ray” as he was called as a child, loved horses, freedom, and the outdoors. Claud taught him how to raise and train horses, hunt, fish, and work hard. He was a jockey in his youth and competed in the local racing circuit. He spent his teenage years working on the mountain at the sheep camp or building roads and fences for the forest service. His love of the mountains and horses never went away. At age 12, his father Homer, broadened his horizons by taking him on the train to the San Francisco World’s Fair at Treasure Island. What wonders a small town boy saw! This planted a seed that later brought his family to the Bay Area in California. Finally, at age 18, “Chuck” was able to enlist in the army to serve his country. After he trained at Fort Douglas he was sent to Fort Shafter in Hawaii for jungle warfare training. During that training the Japanese surrendered so the remainder of his duty was spent as an adjunct to top brass. Chuck didn’t truly feel like a War Veteran because he never shot at an enemy, until the honor he received the last few years of his life by those at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Veterans home. Returning home, he met his sweetheart, Jean Dyreng, at Snow College where they both graduated in 1948, with Associates Degrees; Chuck graduating with a double Associates in Art and in Science. They married May 27, 1949 in the Manti Temple after which they moved to Salt Lake City while Chuck attended the U of U receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts in 1952 and a Bachelors of Architecture in 1953. To support his family he drove cab, did drafting in a cabinet shop, and worked on the LA Temple model for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His career then took them to Cedar City and partnership in Gardner and Rasmussen Architects. He designed many projects for the community, Church, schools, hospital and College. Chuck was an innovative and talented architect being one of the first to design storage units and condo’s in UT. The “Rock Church” in Cedar City used the common building practice done now of pouring a concrete slab on the ground and raising it up to become the wall. Chuck placed Rocks on the ground and had concrete poured over them to create the front of this unique church. His Architecture idol was Frank Lloyd Wright who inspired him to design his dream home with many innovations. He loved to hunt and fish in the mountains surrounding Cedar. They had an active group of friends and often had theme night parties. He joined Kiwanis in 1953 and served in many capacities each place he lived until his late 80’s. In 1964, shortly after completing their dream home, Chuck moved his wife and four children to Sunnyvale, California to work for Ernest Kump Associates architectural firm in San Francisco. Due to his excellent mathematical skills he was hired to do engineering schematics for BART, Bay Area Rapid Transit. After which, he opened a practice with partner Arnold Fluckiger in Menlo Park. The addition of two more children completed the family in California. It was also a time for missionary work and service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was active in all his callings and especially loved serving as a Stake Missionary, often hosting open houses at our home. In 1975 Chuck and partners had an opportunity to buy and run a Retirement home in Vallejo, California. He was an excellent manager and loved by all of the employees and residents. Jean worked alongside him serving the elderly residents. This new direction was a highpoint of their lives. In 1988 they sold The Vallejo Center and faithfully accepted a call to serve in the Denmark Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their mission to Denmark gave them the opportunity to see where their ancestors came from. Although many people spoke English, Chuck became fairly fluent in Danish. Denmark was the climax of their life long missionary service. Returning from Denmark, they reluctantly left sunny California and retired to Provo, Utah to be closer to children and grandchildren. He sold real estate, golfed, played tennis, served in Kiwanis and at the Provo Temple. They moved to warmer climes settling on a golf course in St George where he took up hiking and golfing. After the passing of his dear wife Jean, in 2015 he moved to Provo and resided at Cove Point Assisted Living, where he enjoyed many friendships. For the past 14 months he has resided at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. Chuck was loved by all of the fantastic nurses and CNA’s who cared for him. Because of his cute, teasing personality and his shenanigans, they will tell “Chuck” stories for years to come. His children will be forever grateful for the kindness, care, respect, honor, and attention shown him in his last years of life. They are truly angels among us. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jean Dyreng, his parents, Homer and Caroline Rasmussen, sisters, brother-in-laws and son-in-law; Irla (Claud) Maylett, Valene (Lawrence) Nielsen, Roena (Mac) Shields, and Ricky Long. He is survived by his 6 children and spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Karen Rasmussen Long, David (Shauna) Rasmussen, Kimball (Shelley) Rasmussen, Diane (Mike) Sellers, Kathleen Rasmussen Davis, and Daniel (Stacey) Rasmussen. Chuck’s funeral will be held Friday, August 31, 2018. A viewing will be held at 9:30 am, with the funeral following at 11:00 am at Geneva Heights Ward Building, 546 North 500 West, Orem 84057. A graveside service will be held at the Ephraim Cemetery at 3:30 pm the same day.

Charles Ray Rasmussen

August 1, 1926 - August 13, 2018