Preston H. Porath

Preston H. Porath, 94, was called to serve in the Heavenly mission field June 14, 2016. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he will be greatly missed. Born in Hyrum, Utah, October 31, 1921, to Joseph H. and Betty K. Porath, he attended schools in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Granite High School. He considered it a privilege to serve for three years in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. Upon return, he fulfilled a mission to Switzerland from 1946-48. On June 16, 1949, he and Shirley Parkin were married in the Salt Lake Temple. He served in the West German Mission from 1951-53. He received a B.A. in business from the University of Utah and spent most of his career as a mortgage banker. Blessings from Heaven came to them as their daughter, Julie, and two sons, Jim and Mark, joined their family. Pres’s deep love for the Savior and everyone he knew was manifested by service in three bishoprics, as a High Councilor, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Temple worker, and Bishop. He was awarded the Silver Beaver as he enjoyed his favorite calling as Scoutmaster for thirteen years. He and Shirley served as missionaries on Temple Square, in the East Mill Creek Ward and Stake, in Munich, Germany, and Kyiv, Ukraine. For over eight years, they were blessed to labor with groups of Saints from twenty-two different countries who came to Salt Lake to perform special Temple assignments.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, their children, Julie Barney, Jim and his wife Pamela, Mark and his wife Monica, twelve grandchildren and their spouses, seventeen great-grandchildren, his brother Richard Porath, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the East Mill Creek Chapel, 3750 South Hillside Lane (2600 East). Viewings will be held at the chapel on Friday, June 17, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery. 

Pres requests that instead of sending flowers, donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America or the LDS Missionary or Humanitarian Funds.

Online guestbook to post messages and tributes for the family available at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com