Salt Lake City, Utah – Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away quietly and peacefully surrounded by family on February 10, 2024. Dad was approaching his 102nd birthday.
He was born to James William Broadwater and Katherine Alice Wood on April 12, 1922.
Dad was 7 years old when the Great Depression began. He grew up during that decade of turmoil and hardship in which he learned lessons that would serve him well later in life. His mother passed away when he was 14 years old, and he was left to care for his sister Darlene. He told us that his father would load him up in the Model T in Salt Lake and drive up Parley’s Canyon to Park City where the two of them would go door-to-door selling Singer sewing machines on contract for $1/month to the wives of miners. Dad told us they would have to place every sewing machine before they went fishing together.
Dad met mom, the love of his life, when she was nine years old, and Dad was eleven. He had pigeons that drove her crazy with their noise, so he had to figure out a way to win her heart with his debonair, confident, and charming demeanor. They were married on October 8, 1942, shortly before he enlisted in the Marines during World War II. During the three years he was in the Marines, they wrote to each other every day. They were married for 71 years prior to Mom’s passing on July 1, 2014. To celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on December 14, 1978. They were an example of unfaltering love and devotion to each other and their family during the ups and downs of life. He was always a kind and gentle man who opened doors for every woman he saw.
Together, dad and mom traveled to many places, but their favorite destination was always the condo in Coronado, California, where dad indulged his passion by playing tennis every morning with his group of aging friends. They all wore knee braces and most of them had joint replacements, but it was fun to watch them play like they were still 17. He played both right and left-handed. As he got older, he couldn’t hit it very hard anymore, but was still lightning quick, and nothing got by him until he was well into his 80’s.
During his life, he had jobs that don’t even exist today, most notably as a “typewriter repairman.” Later, he owned and operated James Health Food stores downtown and in Sugarhouse where he developed a loyal following.
Dad is survived by his children: Jan (Jerry) Smith of South Jordan, UT; and Paul (Cherie) Broadwater of Cottonwood Heights, UT; 7 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gloria Broadwater, his sister Darlene Hutchens, and his son Kevin Broadwater.
A private family graveside service was held to celebrate this great man. The family wants to thank all those who served him at the Sagewood community. Also, thanks to the saints we call nurses, at the Riverton Hospital ICU unit; most notably Abbas, Janae Rodriguez and Tiffany Burningham who cared for him and for us. We trust they will be rewarded in heaven. We will never forget them.
