Paul Stanley Callister

1932 ~ 2022


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Paul Stanley Callister passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, just short of his 90th birthday. He was surrounded by his family, who love and adore him and will cherish his incredible memory forever. His passing has left a space impossible to fill, but he can rest in peace knowing that he left this world a better place and reunite with his beloved son, Stanley, who passed in 1973 at the age of 15.

Paul was born on March 23, 1932, in Salt Lake City, to Paul Quayle and Mary Bramwell Callister. He grew up on Princeton Avenue and later moved to Oneida Street with his two brothers, Alan and Jan, and his two sisters, Jeanne and Marna, all of whom he loved and whose care he was devoted to. All but Jan have since passed.

Following his graduation from East High School, he served an LDS mission in Salt Lake City and soon after met and married Eleonore Schärli, the love of his life. While raising a young family, he attended the University of Utah, graduating second in his class from Medical School in 1956. Shortly after, he moved on to assist his father in the Oil & Gas Industry and real estate, where he worked for another 65 years, building, creating and operating a multitude of successful companies and providing jobs for so many.

It was rare to see Paul at home without a book in his hands or calculating some equation on a pad of paper; he was endlessly searching for answers and particularly passionate about studying religion, math and geology. For years he poured that passion into researching and teaching the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School. He was a gifted speaker and teacher and treasured those moments when he could help others learn. Through his father’s foundation, he continued to give generously in support of the education of Native Americans. Paul was an avid skier, he enjoyed golf and especially loved the beach and body surfing in San Juan Capistrano. But his favorite place was reading or writing at his Millcreek home, surrounded by his boisterous family, and with his wife whom he loved so dearly.

Paul will be remembered by those who knew him well as a wise, intellectual, kind and modest man. His humility and honesty are an example to all. He was a gentle and patient father, who taught his children not only to think independently, but also live independently, while asking the difficult questions and challenging narratives. His brilliant, dry sense of humor filled his friends’ and families’ lives with laughter and practical jokes. Even until his end he found ways to make those around him smile. And the absence of his sincere smile is profound and heavy. He was a dear and great man who was always there for anyone that asked for help.

He will be inimitably missed by his wife of 68 years, Eleonore, and his daughters, Corinne Allen (Don), Denise, Kathleen, Stephanie Memmott (Jim) and Paula Flachsmann (Peter) as well as his sons Jeffrey (Katie) and Paul Jonathan and also his 10 beautiful grandchildren.

Funeral services honoring Paul will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the East Millcreek 15th Ward Building, 3750 South Hillside Lane, Salt Lake City UT 84109. A viewing will be held for friends and family prior to the services from 10:00-11:15 a.m. Interment will follow the services at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT.