Kent Heaton Stapley

Kent Heaton Stapley was born in Kanab Utah, on April 13, 1934. He was the oldest son of Blaine Stapley and Edna Heaton Stapley lifelong residents of Cedar City, Utah. He is survived by his sister Marilyn Hawley and preceded in death by his brother Ronald Blaine Stapley.

He married Bonnie Jean Steiner on December 18, 1953, and they were sealed in the St George Temple. Their six children survive him; David (Lisa) Salt Lake City, Utah; Brad (Lorri) St George, Utah; Jelene Gillies (Chad); Henderson, Nevada; Todd (Lynette) Cedar City, Utah; Kenneth (Paula) Cedar City, Utah; Kelly (Deborah) St George, Utah. Twenty-Five Grandchildren, 37 Great Grandchildren and one Great Great Grandchild.

Kent Heaton Stapley spent his childhood attending school in Cedar City and many of his summers on his grandfather’s ranch in Moccasin, Arizona. He genuinely loved his summers on the Arizona Strip where he learned to be a cowboy like his grandfather and uncle Fred. He acquired a lifelong love for livestock and was noted for his flowers, shrubs, and landscape. The red sand of Moccasin, the Arizona Strip, and the “shiny rocks of moonshine,” continued to call to him through his entire adult life. He returned as often as he could to enjoy the unique heaven on earth that shaped his formable life.

He was an entrepreneur before it became a well-known profession. He was successful in farming, raising livestock, horses, starting and running businesses, including local subdivisions in Cedar City, Utah where he raised his family. Later in life he became an accomplished watercolor artist and authored several books.

Kent took immense pride in his horses and was always working to improve and produce beautiful appaloosa horses. Several of his horses won first prize in horse shows across the west and mid-west. He ventured into the horse racing world with a champion quarter horse winning local races. He often could be seen riding one of his favorite horses bare back to check on the other livestock and horses.

Kent built several beautiful homes where his children, grandchildren, family, and friends gathered to enjoy each other’s company. Each home was landscaped with unique trees, shrubs and flowers that brought beauty to the eye and gave solitude to one’s life.

He was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Serving in leadership capacities that included Bishop (twice), Stake President, and Mission President Counselor. With his eternal sweetheart Bonnie, they together served three missions to the Philippines, Mongolia, and Southeast Asia (India, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and several other countries). Regardless of the culture or race, those who interacted with him and his wife Bonnie became endeared to them and often lifelong friends (including Dong Mei Yang).

Kent Heaton Stapley passed away at his home in Winchester Hill, St George Utah on February 1, 2025, with his loving wife by his side.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11 am in the Winchester Hills Chapel (5338 Winchester Dr, St George, UT 94770). Viewings will be held on Friday February 7 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary, Cedar City UT. And at the Winchester Hills Chapel prior to the funeral from 9am to 10:30 am. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery. To view the livestream of the funeral service and share online condolences, please visit www.mortuary.org.