Paul Eugene Southworth

Paul Eugene Southworth, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on June 6, 2013. He was surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in Salt Lake City on October 20, 1933 to Luman Leroy Southworth and his wife Rachael Luella Lewis. Both his father and mother, their parents and grandparents were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to 1838. These families of Southworth, Lewis, Norton and Marley migrated across the plains and received assignments from Brigham Young to build farms and settlements in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho.

When Paul was 11 years old he contracted Rheumatic Fever. Living on a lumber claim in Oregon, the family had little access to medical care. The result of this disease set in motion a lifetime of health issues. Paul spent much of his Junior High School in the hospital. Shriner's hospital in Portland, Oregon and their doctors repaired damage caused by this disease by straightening, shortening, then fusing his hip. This was a great blessing since without it, he would have remained in a fetal position. Nevertheless, although an improvement, the surgery left him physically handicapped for the rest of his life. Long term suffering from this early illness and many subsequent surgeries contributed to poor health and physical discomfort throughout his life.

In spite of these circumstances, Paul served honorably in the Central States Mission as a Mormon Missionary. He married his sweetheart Marianne Annalotte Muthreich 3 days after she returned from her mission to Germany. They were the first couple to be married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. Paul and Marianne were faithful and a devoted couple who always put the Lord first. They raised 7 children listed in order of birth; Marcus Alan Southworth, Janette Heil, David Paul Southworth, Kim Donald Southworth, Diane Bassett, Lawrence Kay Southworth, and Michael James Southworth. They have a large posterity of over 52 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

Paul was a professional baker, insurance salesman and entrepreneuer. His innovative businesses included some of the first of its kind. Among many other start-up businesses, he founded a food and household goods, warehouse company long before Costco was conceived. He founded a nutritional store that was one of the first of its kind. He founded the first video rental store anywhere in the world. He was always an innovative and inspirational thinker. He always had a new idea. His final days on earth were filled with tears of joy as he talked about his love for the Savior and his anticipation of seeing his face and resting in his arms. Paul has two surviving brothers and one sister listed in order of birth: Joseph Luman Southworth, Grant Southworth, and Mary Delsa Gritton.

A viewing will be held prior to the funeral on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 9:30am to 10:30am at the LDS Chapel located at 700 West 500 North in American Fork. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the American Fork Cemetery. For more information please call (801) 651-0290.

Messages to the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com