Washington, Utah – Jaren Paul Vowles passed away peacefully in St. George, Utah, on November 23, 2024, at the age of 83, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 10, 1941, in a small house on Tooele’s Main Street to Everal “Jim” Evans and Pearl Vowles. Jaren’s childhood on Vine Street was filled with love and support, nurturing his lifelong passions and shaping him into a tender-hearted man and loyal friend.
Jaren was a member of the football team and played in the band before graduating from Tooele High School in 1960. After high school, he served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas Mission, a place and people he cherished throughout his life. The friendships and experiences he gained during those years filled him with confidence and remained an important part of who he was.
After his mission, he was set up on a blind date with a tall, beautiful woman named Margaret Mabey. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964, marking the beginning of a 60-year marriage. Together, they were blessed with five children and later welcomed eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren into their family.
Jaren pursued his talent for problem-solving and engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Weber State University. After college, Jaren was recruited by IBM and moved to Hygiene, Colorado, where he and his family built their first home and lived for six years before returning to Utah. He later worked for the Church, creating displays on Temple Square, and for other manufacturing companies, including Beehive International and Iomega. At Beehive, he spent six weeks in Ireland opening a new plant. Throughout his career, Jaren’s mechanical skills and talent for creating clever and innovative solutions were highly valued.
Jaren spent 30 years rearing his family in Centerville, Utah. In his free time, he loved working on and modifying cars, riding motorcycles, and building trailers. He had a passion for river rafting with friends and family, creating memories and instilling a love of the outdoors in his children.
One of Jaren’s greatest joys was his service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He especially enjoyed ministering and home teaching. He dedicated over 30 years to the Young Men’s program and scouting, serving as a leader and mentor to countless young men. Jaren taught his boys to value hard work, service, and how to build a winning pinewood derby car.
Jaren and Margaret retired to southern Utah, living in both New Harmony and Washington City. At both homes, he built shops to continue tinkering and building. He spent 10 ½ years on dialysis, fighting kidney failure, and genuinely appreciated the care he received, and the relationships made during the strenuous treatment. He enjoyed time with friends and never missed an episode of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune.
Throughout his life, Jaren’s kindness, humor, and unwavering faith touched those around him. His love for his family was his greatest joy, and he was deeply proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Jaren is survived by his wife, Margaret; their children: James (Ricci), Katy (Matthew) Hutchings, Amy (Kenley) Brinkerhoff, Kenneth (Susan), Susie (Tyler) Knudsen; 18 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends who will dearly miss him. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister and brother, and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held on Monday December 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Fields 19th Ward Chapel, 115 West 2000 South, Washington, Utah. Visitations will be held at the Church on Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery located at 300 Park View Drive.