March 1, 1941-May 31, 2023
Thomas Matthew Scholes, 82, was born March 1, 1941, to Frances Newton Scholes and Wanda Loretta Matthew in Logan, Utah. He married the love of his life, Rosalie Marie Little, on June 23, 1966, in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Tom lived in Logan, Utah, Ogden, Utah, and American Fork, Utah. He graduated from American Fork High School. He served a faithful mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Southern states. He served in the Utah National Guard.
Tom graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York. Eastman had a contract with NASA to build a space station to the moon to prepare for astronauts to land in space. He loved his work and the new excitement to put a man on the moon and beyond. Tom then accepted a job with Martin Marieta in Denver, Colorado. There he continued to work on the skylab and other space projects.
An opportunity arose to move back to Utah to buy the family nursery in American Fork from his dad who was ill. This was a huge adjustment for him and his family, but Tom loved the nursery with all the greenhouses and the store that provided beauty in landscaping and food in gardens. He worked for 15 years at the nursery until he decided to move the family to St. George, Utah, to start his own real estate business, Rim View Real Estate and Property Management. He loved his work and seeing St. George grow as a newly discovered mecca for families and tourists.
Tom was active in his church and loved serving in two bishoprics, Elders Quorums and many other callings. He loved to travel and take his family to many vacation destinations in the States, Mexico and Hawaii.
Tom was a great family man. He loved and worked hard to provide for his family, who on many occasions would refer to him as a quiet giant. Always working at the office and home for the good of his family, he spent his whole life serving family and friends. He was and is a devoted husband, father and friend.
He loved his Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. He was devoted in serving them as an ordinance working in the St. George Temple for 11 years. He also served as a family search center missionary for three years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Rosalie, St. George, Utah; his children Chad (Melissa) Scholes, Lehi, Utah, Shawn (Shauna) Scholes, Payson, Utah, Mark (Kerri) Scholes, Springville, Utah, Ryan (Anisa) Scholes, St. George, Utah, Brett (Kelly) Scholes, Madison Wisconsin, Shane Scholes, St. George, Utah, Shari Watt, Reno, Nevada, and Dane (Sara) Scholes, Saratoga Springs, Utah; 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and his sister Loralie (Brent) Wilson, St. George, Utah.
He is preceded in death by his loving parents Frances and Wanda Scholes, Jon (Ruth) Scholes, Robert (Virginia) Scholes.
Funeral services will be June 3, at Pioneer Parkway Chapel, 3680 Pioneer Parkway, Santa Clara, Utah. Friends may attend a viewing June 2, from 5-7 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, or before the funeral from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Pioneer Parkway Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Tom’s online guest book.