Leslie "Burt" Maxwell

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Our wonderful Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, and friend passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022.

Named after both of his parents, Burt was born on September 20, 1934, to Irvin Leslie and Luella Burt Maxwell, the youngest of four boys and three girls. He grew up on Green Street in Salt Lake City, six doors down from his future sweetheart Marian Pearce. He started school as a first-grader at Columbus Elementary and graduated from Irving Junior High where he belonged to a Dance Club. Burt learned to work hard from an early age and spent his summers helping on ranches and farms owned by his extended family. One of his favorite memories of his teenage years was walking hand-in-hand with Marian to South High School where they both graduated in 1952. Burt and Marian were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 17, 1953, by Elder Harold B. Lee. They later became proud parents of three children, Jeff, Cathy, and Luann, whom they raised in Salt Lake City and later in Alhambra, California.

Burt started his professional career working in the Dispatch and Advertising Department of the Tribune and Telegram Newspaper. In an act of service that helped shape his future, Burt’s Uncle Milton helped get him a job at Union Pacific Railroad loading and unloading freight cars. Throughout his long career at Union Pacific, Burt worked in multiple departments including the freight and ticket selling offices. After graduating from Reich American School of Auctioneering in 1967, Burt transferred to Southern California as the Senior Prevention and Freight Claims Officer. Using his special skills, Burt held a monthly auction for unclaimed freight. He took an early retirement with Union Pacific and dedicated the remainder of his life to his family, friends, and church service.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Burt served faithfully in many callings including Elder’s Quorum President, multiple Bishopric's, Bishop, High Counselor, Stake Young Men’s President, and his last calling as a Ward Missionary. Missionaries were always welcome at Burt and Marian’s kitchen table and Burt went out of his way to serve the full-time missionaries at every opportunity. One of the many missionaries who enjoyed a home-cooked meal in their home (Elder Widdison) ended up marrying their daughter, Cathy. Burt dedicated many years serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Los Angeles Temple. Burt and Marian cherished their years as members of the Alhambra Ward where they loved people deeply, made lifelong friendships, and were well cared for during their final years in California. While serving as the bishop of the Alhambra Ward, Burt adopted the nickname “L.B.” standing not only for his initials but for “Loving Bishop”. After Marian passed away in 2012 after 58 years of marriage, Burt sold their home on 2nd Street and moved back to Utah, this time to Draper.

Amongst his many gifts and interests, Burt excelled at singing and loved music. He sang in a quartet that won an All-Church Quartet Festival. He enjoyed playing softball, tennis, golf, and volleyball. He loved trains and was a lifelong fisherman. While he attended the University of Utah as a young man, Burt was a devoted fan of BYU football. He loved sports and his favorite teams were the Lakers, Utah Jazz, the Dodgers, and USC.

Burt was contagiously optimistic, found joy in the every day, and made even simple moments special. He could identify the gifts and potential of others and was the first to believe in his family as they started new businesses, new careers, and pursued their education. He developed the ability to selflessly focus on others and spent 13 years caregiving for Marian’s parents. He was genuinely happy, always fun to be around, and had an amazing outlook on life. Material possessions didn’t matter to him, and he gave freely to others. We cherished our time with him.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Marian who he lovingly called “Queenie” and all his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his children Jeff (Jeana), Cathy (Kyle), and Luann (Jorge), seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and his sister-in-law Peggy Pearce.

Burt’s funeral will be on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center at 13085 South 300 East in Draper, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9:30 – 10:45 am, followed by the funeral at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Masks are kindly requested to be worn at the services.

Burt’s family would like to thank Juan and Angie Hernandez and all the wonderful staff at Beehive Homes of Riverton for their loving, tender care as well as Katie Wiseman and the compassionate staff from Canyons Hospice.

We will miss you, Dad! Thank you for the wonderful exemplary life you lived.