Kay McMurdie Bassett, (83), everyone’s favorite cowboy born on the 4th of July while the fireworks were going off, passed away on October 16, 2023 at Holy Cross Jordan Valley Hospital, West Jordan, UT. He was the husband of Dianne Vining Bassett. They had just celebrated their 60th anniversary together.
Born in Delta, UT, he was the son of William Smith Bassett and Mary Bishop McMurdie Bassett. He attended Delta High School and then went on to Brigham Young University where he graduated with a degree in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance. He was a Band Director, as well as an English and history teacher for 30 years at Nephi High School. After he retired from teaching in 1996, he worked for Enterprise Rental Car for over 10 years and drove cars all around the states of Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado (he really loved a road-trip more than most people).
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an Eagle Scout, and scout master; another group he belonged to included the Utah Archeological Society. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, puzzling, playing the piano, reading, watching westerns, and collecting coins and model trains. He had a deep love for music and whenever he was at home music could be heard. He will be remembered for his “firm yet fair” personality; but more importantly for his optimism (“have a happy day”), kindness (he was a friend to everyone and everywhere he went he had friends that he knew by name), and his wisdom (whether it was about random historical facts, or you needed advice on what to do).
He is survived by his wife Dianne, daughter, Michelle Hansen (Brent), grand-daughters: Madison, Kelsey, and Ryland, six great grandchildren, and a beloved dog, Iggy. He was preceded in passing by his mother and father and many fur friends that crossed the rainbow bridge too soon, most notably Huckleberry and Clinger.
Funeral services for Kay will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the Riverton 19th Ward, 12690 South 3600 West in Riverton Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday evening, October 24, 2023 from 6-8PM at Larkin Mortuary - Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton, Utah as well as Wednesday at the ward prior to the funeral services beginning at 10AM. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park- South Valley in Riverton, Utah,
Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the previously held services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.
Kay was band teacher for 5 of my children at Juab. He was good to them, and a good colleague of mine. He had a great influence on so many young people for so many years. His love of music and service to young people will be a perpetual legacy. Thank you, Kay, for being my friend.
I loved Mr. Bassett! I was in band from elementary through high school.
He was a strength to me.
I too love music.
RIP Mr. Bassett!! I am proud to be a band nerd who started playing trumpet in 5th grade due to your outreach efforts at Nephi Elementary. I have fond band memories of playing throughout high school with the many concerts, football games, and summer parades... Not to mention the high school musicals! Although not a music major, I continued my association with band at BYU. Thank you for your positive influence in my life. I am proud to have been a member of the Juab High School band!
Mr. Bassett was a teacher of mine in Junior & High School in the 70s. I always appreciated his fun loving spirit - though he occasionally had to get after me. He was a good man and I mourne his passing.
So sorry for your loss. I remember going to Delta to see Uncle Bill & Aunt Mary they were soo very nice to me. I was a seven years younger than Kay but he always did things with me. Often it was Kay, me, and Jay hanging out together. The family reunions in Delta these past few years, Kay always made Jerry feel welcome. Love you Kay and will miss you. See you on the other side.
So sorry to hear about Mr. Basset. You are aLegend. My very most favorite teacher I ever had. The only teacher that believed in me and my potential. You were the one that taught me all music is valid weather it is good or bad. You were the True Real life Music Man I am so thankful for your life and everything you taught me. Rest in Paradise my friend. My Mentor My Hero. I hope when my time is up and I leave this earth to enter another place you will be there to show me the true right way to go. I never had the chance to tell you Thank You. You were Amazing to me. I Love You for everything You were and are. Darren
Some of my fondest high school memories are of being a member of the Juab High School band with Mr. Bassett as our beloved director. I’ll never forget “The Winner’s Circle” at Friday night football games, selling chocolate candy bars, summer band practice out on the football field every morning at the crack of dawn, and marching in the blistering hot Days of ‘47 Parade in full uniform. Mr. Bassett always expected excellence from his band and his students, and we were all the better for it. Looking back now with tremendous appreciation at what a huge undertaking it was for him to be in charge of so many students, instruments, uniforms and performances, to name a few, I am deeply grateful for the time he spent, the sacrifices he made, and the impact he had on my life. He was a great teacher and a wonderful person.
Sending my condolences to the Bassett family “Mr Bassett “ was my band and music instructor. He was always kind and had patience. My best memories were of the Bi Centennial tour that he and Leonard Trauntvein organized and I was lucky enough to be a part of. What a blessing to have great people teach and care about their students enough to take them cross country in a school bus!!
God bless the Bassett family . Rest in peace Mr Bassett.
Mr. Bassett was my scout master in the Nephi 4th,5th ward. He was a example to me and the other kids.I always remember going to his house on Saturday mornings to have our scout meeting. He was a dedicated leader and always made sure we were taken care of.He was my concert choir teacher. Kay was the kind of person whom you could always call a friend. My memories of him will always be etched in my mind. Rest In Peace heaven gained a great man. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
I loved Mr Bassett. He was a great encourager. He always strived to make us the best we could be from the music to those uniforms. Even when I decided to choose choir over band he always encouraged me to be the best at whatever I chose to do. For me I knew he wanted his students to succeed. May his family find peace and comfort always as he lived a great life!
Mr. Bassett was one of my favorite teachers!! He was my band teacher through middle school and high school in the early 80’s and he taught all five kids in our family. Many great memories of class, parades (marching in those big hot uniforms) football and basketball games, musicals, and many other fond memories. I stopped by his home a few years ago and had a great visit!! Such a wonderful man who had such an impact on so many students and who will be greatly missed . Sending love and prayers to his wife and family.
I was a student of Mr Bassett’s for many years at Juab. Throughout my life I have met many great men, but this man has always held a special place in my heart. He is the reason music has been such a strong part of my life. I remember the early morning summer band, the concerts and the trips we took. And yes, I was one of the lucky ones on the bus when he was pulled over by highway patrol. (Maybe more than once) :) Always a smile and a laugh! Thank you for the memories, the love, the time and the commitment you made to many of us. Rest in peace. Until we meet again….
I loved Mr. Bassett! He was an amazing band instructor . I loved playing the flute and piccolo. Two trips to Disneyland, multiple Days of 47 parades with a trip to lagoon as a reward. I taught us how to earn money for those trips. We sold everything that came around. Candy bars, calendars, jackets, wrapping paper, and others too. We always looked professional. He never let us perform without full uniform. Hat, wool jacket, overlay, black pants, gloves, spats and black shoes I am sure we complained at the heat, but we were always a band that he and we could be proud of! Rest in Peace my friend! ❤️❤️
Dear Bassett Family
This may be a little late but I will write it just the same. I worked with Kay at Enterprise Rent-A-Car for several years and he was one of my my mentors when I first started there. He turned out to be one of my best friends there and I will miss him greatly. Kay was a fun guy to work with. He said he knew my wife's relative that lived in Delta which she never knew as she did not know he lived there until he was 98 years old and in a rest home out there. May the Lord bless the family in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Wayne Neilson