Stanley Adolph Rotz, devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away November 8, 2014, at the age of 90, after a brief illness.
He was born December 6, 1923, in Los Angeles, California, to Emma Elizabeth Roberts Rotz and Cloyd Benjamin Rotz. He grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from George Washington High School in 1941. He proudly served his country during World War II, assigned to the 1st U.S. Army. He landed in Normandy, following the front lines, and also provided support at the Battle of the Bulge. He became a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department in September of 1946, and retired after 20 years. He also was the bookstore manager at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California. He ran the largest bookstore in the L.A. Community College District, and his store was known as the most successful store in the state. He then retired a second time after 16 years. At the age of 52, Stan received and was proud of his A.A. degree in Business, having gone to classes in the evenings for many years.
He married the love of his life, Mary Anna Garrett, on January 29, 1947 in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. They have five children: Christopher Alan (Elaine), Michael Neil (Christa), Cynthia Anne Grover (Bryan), Rebecca Lynn Sibley (Bruce), and Deena Mari Goates (Mike). They also have 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, with more on the way. He is survived by his wife and children.
He was a member of the LDS church. He and his wife served two missions—one to the Samoa Apia Mission where they served in the mission office. The second mission was in the Family History Department at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, where they worked on the Ellis Island Immigration Project. He faithfully served in many callings in the church and especially enjoyed being a service missionary in the Employment Center, helping others to gain employment.
He had a love for gardening and working in his yard. He loved planting vegetables and strawberries and then enjoying the fruits of his labors, which he often shared with others. He enjoyed woodworking as a hobby, and made several old-fashioned cars out of wood. He also enjoyed tennis whenever he could find a tennis partner for the day.
Stanley had a deep love for his family, and was committed to making them his first priority in his life. His children have great love and respect for him and are thankful for the countless times and ways that he has blessed their lives.
A viewing will be held at the Welby 6th Ward meetinghouse on Friday, November 14th, from 6:00 ‚ 8:00 p.m. The address is 8841 So. 4800 W., West Jordan, UT. The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 15th, at 10:00 a.m., with a viewing before, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the same location. He will be buried at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 So., Sandy, UT.
