In Loving Memory of James J. Pinegar “Jim”

December 14, 1927 – October 3, 2026

James J. Pinegar, Jim, age 98, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, surrounded by family. A little over two months earlier, his beloved wife and sweetheart, Coco, passed away. Dad missed Mom dearly. The family found great comfort knowing their separation was brief.

Dad was born December 14, 1927, in Grandview, a farming community west of Provo, Utah, to James Emery Pinegar and Effie Jolley Pinegar. His family later lived in Edgemont, Provo and Spanish Fork. He attended Lincoln Junior High School, Spanish Fork High School and graduated from BY High School.

When he was 18 months old, he nearly lost his life after falling into an irrigation ditch. His mother found him in the water under a culvert and pulled him to safety. Dad later reflected on this experience with gratitude, believing the Lord had preserved his life for a purpose. He often expressed his desire to spend that life in the Lord’s service.

A Devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather

Dad met Colleen Craven in January 1946, and eight months later, on September 13, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. It was the beginning of an extraordinary partnership that would last just shy of 80 years.

During their early years of marriage, Dad attended Brigham Young University while Mom worked as a secretary to help support them. He graduated from BYU in 1949 with a degree in physics and mathematics. They made their home in Orem, where they raised their family and created a home centered on faith, hard work, service, and love.

Mom and Dad were blessed with six children: James Craven (Kristine) Pinegar; Susan (Craig) Jones; Karen (Scott) Smith; Kay (Doug) Clark; and Linda (Tom) Whitaker. They were preceded in death by their infant son, David Craven Pinegar, who was stillborn.

Dolly Dokey Shirley, a young student from the Navajo Nation, joined their family at the age of 13 so she could attend school. The year she spent with them made Dolly an important part of the family. Mom and Dad lovingly continued to stay involved in the lives of Dolly and her family.

Dad was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He worked hard to provide for his family and took a sincere interest in the lives of his posterity. With his love of mathematics, he became the family’s unofficial math tutor, helping many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren through their school years.

For all the remarkable experiences Dad and Mom shared, some of the family’s most treasured memories are the simplest: them sitting together, reading, sharing meals, holding hands, talking, praying and singing. We all cherish the many family reunions and celebrations they hosted.

Music was an important part of their life. They spent countless hours singing favorite hymns and songs, including You Are My Sunshine, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, and Happy Trails. Dad described their marriage simply and beautifully: they prayed together, improved together, cared for their children and family together, and served in the Church together.

A Life of Work and Service

Dad began his career with U.S. Steel at Geneva Works in 1950, where he worked for nearly 29 years and retired as the Superintendent of Industrial Engineering and Operating Control Systems.

His greatest desire was to work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1979, and after some negotiating with U.S. Steel, his dream came true. Church assignments took them to Hawaii and throughout the South Pacific, as well as South America and Europe. He retired in 1992 as the Director of International Physical Facilities.

After retirement they served together as Mission Leaders of the Family History Mission, where they formed many enduring friendships, and Mission Leaders of the Church Service Missionary Program. Throughout his life, he faithfully served in numerous ward and stake responsibilities, including three times as a Bishop and also as a Stake High Councilman at the age of 90.

He continued his service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Executive Secretary to the brethren that were over the North America West and North America Northwest Areas from 1996 - 2012. He was affectionately known as ‘Sir James.”

The desire to help extended well beyond formal Church service. After he retired, he volunteered at Scera Park Elementary School helping children learn to read. One of those children was a young boy named Caleb. Many years later, life came full circle when Caleb was assigned to be Dad’s Papa Pal, a companion service provided through Medicare. Caleb and his wife, Iris, became dear friends to Dad and Mom and lovingly helped care for them as they grew older.

A Teacher, Friend, and Keeper of Memories

Dad took advantage of every opportunity to share his testimony and his love of the Savior. Humble and thoughtful, he always seemed to have a little loving advice or words of wisdom to share with family and close friends.

Anyone who knew Dad well, knew about his many files and important papers, He could often be found reading, organizing, saving, or shuffling through his papers, always finding just the right quote, talk, memory, or piece of wisdom worth keeping and passing along.

Together, Mom and Dad created many treasured books of remembrance filled with personal histories, favorite quotations, talks, special family photographs, and carefully kept family records. Preserving memories and sharing what they had learned with their family was important to both of them.

He made many friends throughout his life, and those friendships meant a great deal to him. He made a sincere effort to stay connected, often reaching out through an email or phone call. His thoughtfulness, genuine interest in others, and desire to keep in touch helped those friendships endure through the years. Remembering birthdays was important, and he made a special effort to call family, friends, and ward members on their special day.

A Life of Faith

Dad’s testimony of Jesus Christ was at the center of his life. He believed some of his greatest spiritual experiences came while serving others, particularly those who faced challenges and relied upon the Lord for strength.

Looking back over his life, Dad wrote: “All of my experiences in the Church have increased my love for the Savior and added to my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Indeed, my life has been a constant ‘Spiritual Experience.’”

His children and grandchildren knew what he believed because he told them, and more importantly, he showed them by the way he lived his life.

Together Again

No earthly relationship meant more to Dad than the one he shared with his sweetheart, Coco. His journals express how openly he loved her. He wrote of telling her he loved her many times each day, repeatedly expressing gratitude to Heavenly Father for giving him such a wonderful companion.

For almost eight decades, they raised a family, worked, traveled, served, worshipped, grew older, and cared for one another. Through it all, they remained side by side, devoted to one another.

When Coco passed away on July 28,2026, Dad missed his sweetheart dearly. Just 67 days later, he peacefully followed her. Dad and Mom were grateful for the love and care

they received from their children, Caleb and Iris, Marisela, Bristol Hospice, and the many friends and neighbors that took time to check in on them.

As a family, we will miss his loving advice, his testimony, his emails, phone calls and stacks of important papers. We will remember the math problems worked through together, the friendships he carefully maintained, his willingness to help those who were lonely or discouraged, and his devotion to his Savior.

We find peace in the testimony Dad spent a lifetime sharing: that Jesus Christ lives, that families are eternal, and that death is not the end.

After nearly 80 years side by side and one brief separation, Jim and Coco are together again.

Happy Trails, until we meet again.

Funeral Services

Date Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Visitation 9:30am - 10:45am

Family Prayer 10:45 am

Funeral Service 11:00am

Location of Service and Visitation: 481 East Center Street Orem Utah Cascade Stake Center

Interment: Provo City Cemetery