Joseph Felix

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend was called home Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 of causes incident to age. Joseph Carl Felix passed away in Logan, Utah at the age of 88. Born June 2, 1927 to Carl Otto and Claris Fuhriman Felix, Joe was the oldest of 6 children--Margene, Carol, Jan, Jerry, and Relda. He attended Logan City schools, graduating from Logan High in 1945. Following graduation, Joseph entered the U.S. Army, serving in Italy at the conclusion of WWII. For 12 years thereafter, he was a member of the Army reserves. After returning from Italy, Joseph filled a mission in Texas-Louisianna from 1948-1950, where he met his sweetheart, Alene Edwards from Orem, Utah. At the request of the Mission President, Joe and Alene were asked to sing a duet, “I Stand All Amazed,” for an interdenominational music festival. This was the beginning of a long and amazing relationship spanning 64 years of marriage.

Married February 7, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple, Joe and Alene began building their family in Logan, UT, Ashton, ID, Flagstaff, AZ, and Provo, UT. They eventually settled in Cedar City with their 10 children, Brent (Loralyn), Rozan Gautier (Brad), Jolyn Russell (Craig), Jeffrey, David (Mari), Daren (Margie), Adele Onaga (Stephen), Sheri James (Al), Ben (Heather), and Michael (Shelly). From this large family, 36 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren have been born to serve the Lord and their fellow men.
Joseph lived a remarkable life of service and took great pride in his family, leaving them a legacy of Testimony, marked by five additional missions he and Alene served after retirement. They include: Denmark, Copenhagen (Iceland) '88-'90, Philippines, Cebu '91-'93, Austria, Vienna (Croatia) '94-'95, New Zealand, Wellington '97-'98, and Laie Oahu, Hawaii '99-2001. Joe’s testimony of the Savior and the restoration of the Gospel on the earth today was demonstrated by the way he lived, worked, and embraced others.

Joseph earned several degrees including a B.S. in Business Administration (USU), an MS at BYU in 1956, and his Ed.D (BYU) in 1964. He had a long career in CES (30+years), culminating at SUU in Cedar City where he served as Institute Director and model teacher. His service in the LDS Church, as well as community endeavors, is widely noted. Joseph served as an LDS Bishop twice, Bishop's Counselor, Counselor in Stake Presidency, High Council member, and worked often with MIA. Along with Joe’s storied church service, he faithfully served his community and the great state of Utah as President of the Iron County Historical Society, President of Cedar City National Little League, Chairman of the Iron Mission Parks Commission, member of Cedar Chamber of Commerce, the Utah State Parks Board, and Valley View Hospital.
As remarkably busy as he was, Joe found time to spend in his favorite activities--hunting, fishing, hiking, and preservation of historical artifacts. Hunting and fishing gave him great satisfaction as it presented opportunities to spend time with his father, his brother Jerry, his sons and grandsons. After retirement, fishing—including ice fishing—became a passion shared with good friends upon the lakes of Southern Utah, Northern Utah, and Alaska. These fishing expeditions were as much about being a “Fisher of Men” as they were about the catch.

Joe is survived by his wife, children, siblings, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Joseph will be held Friday Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. at the Hyde Park 1st Ward Chapel (450 No. 100 W., Hyde Park, UT), A viewing will be held at Allen Mortuary of North Logan (420 East 1800 North), Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday prior to services from 9:30am till 10:30am at the ward. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family online by visting www.allenmortuaires.net