Ward Rees

Jacob Ward Rees age 96 passed away peacefully in his sleep February 10, 2023. He was born January 17, 1927 to Jake and Neta Child Rees “Over the River” in Coalville, Utah. He was a graduate of North Summit High School. He served in World War II, received an honorable discharge, and came home and married the love of his life, Georgia Louise Seelos on July 19, 1947. Marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They were together in this life for over seventy years. 

He worked for Mountain Fuel, WW Clyde and owned his own excavating company.  He started to raise mink during that time and continued to drive his yellow cart down to the ranch or his orange Kubota around the valley to check everything out until winter set in this year.

He was the Fur Breeders Man of the Year in 2009.

Over the 70 years he was a mink rancher he employed a few hundred people, both young and old. It was a little extra money for the women who helped to pelt the mink.  All who came were treated as family and many of the worker’s children would call him grandpa.  Many of his grandchildren also had the opportunity to work at the mink ranch and they have fond memories of throwing mink feed and cleaning false bottoms.  Only dad had the patience to put up with all of the fun and “crap”.  He was a great example and he treated everyone well. 

They had many great friends throughout the years and they loved to take road trips to Idaho and Wendover.

He was an avid stock watcher and he wrote down stock ticker symbols from Jim Cramer everyday to share with the family. Hoping someday the stock market would make us all rich. 

He was a kind loving man, he was honest, hardworking and he taught us all to work hard.  When Mom became ill, we all witnessed an eternal love and companionship as he lovingly took care of her the last years of her life.  We can hear her calling Ward, Ward, come “up” here.  She got her wish. 

His attitude of:  what are you going to do about it, you just have to make the best of it and move on,  will forever resonant in our hearts as a reminder to take what life deals you and make the best of it. We will miss him dearly and miss his little constant” hum” as he moved about the house. We are forever grateful to have had him in our lives and we wish we could have had one more day to tell him how much we love and appreciate the example he was to all of us.

Survived by sons Blaine (Debbie) Rees, Dennis (Connie) Rees and Daughters Georgia (Mark) Scates, Colleen (Dwayne) Sargent and Jeanette (Jeff) Vernon.  Sisters Dona Williams, Afra Clontz and brother Alfred Rees. 17 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren and 1 on the way. 

Proceeded in death by his eternal companion Louise, parents Jake and Neta, brothers Dean and Lynn Rees, grandson Brandon Sargent and 2 great-grandchildren Brennen Pentz and Amara Sargent. 

Funeral services will be held February 20, 2023 at the Hoytsville Church, viewing from 10-12:00 and funeral at 12:30 pm.  Interment will be at the Hoytsville Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to Primary Children’s Hospital. https://intermountainhealthcare.org/primary-childrens/give/