Steven Jack McCardell

In loving memory of our husband, father, and grandfather Steven Jack McCardell, age 70, who passed away on August 8, 2024 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born on December 20, 1953 to Jack Cleon McCardell and Forrest Fairchild McCardell in Burley, Idaho. He was the devoted husband of Marion Joan Wixom McCardell and the loving father of Heidi, Melissa, Benjamin, and Michael. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was proud of his 11 grandchildren Jack, Katie, Maggie, Cody, Andrew, Ashley, Brooklynn, Spencer, Lucas, Charlotte, and Nora. And he was devoted to his secondary children Charlie, Steve, Nikki, and Renae.

One of the kindest souls on this planet, Steve was a gentle, giving man who worked tirelessly to ensure that his family had everything they needed. He faced every challenge in life with admirable strength and courage. He and his wife, Marion, were married and sealed on April 28, 1976 in the Salt Lake temple. They celebrated their 48th anniversary this year.

Early in life, Steve learned the importance of hard work, doing everything from moving farm sprinkler irrigation pipe to painting public buildings. He then instilled that work ethic in his family. He was always there for his family and friends, including his 4 children and 11 grandchildren, whether we needed help with homework, or just a shoulder to cry on. He was a man of strong faith and he taught us the importance of family, hard work, and doing what is right.

Steve had a sterling academic and professional career. He graduated summa cum laude in Communications from Brigham Young University in 1978. His undergraduate record was distinguished by his time serving as a Hinckley Scholar in his junior and senior years. Steve financed his college education, in part, as a drummer in rock and roll bands. After graduating from BYU, Steve attended the J. Reuben Clark Law School. There, he was a member of the law review and graduated cum laude in 1981.

After Law School, Steve served as a law clerk for two prominent federal bankruptcy judges, Ralph Mabey and Glen Clark, both of whom had a long-term effect on Steve’s extraordinary practice of bankruptcy law. After clerking, Steve joined the Salt Lake City office of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae, a large international law firm, in 1984. While practicing, Steve also taught debtor-creditor and business reorganization classes at BYU Law School and, later, taught bankruptcy classes at the S.J. Quinney School of Law at the University of Utah. He was involved in every major reorganization case in Utah, usually representing one of the central parties, including Geneva Steel Company, CF&I Steel, and Korea Technology.

Steve was an important part of LeBoeuf Lamb’s national bankruptcy practice and represented parties in some of the largest Chapter 11 cases in the country. He had a busy appellate practice, appearing before several federal circuit courts of appeals in many cases. A highlight of his career came in 1996 when he argued, and ultimately prevailed, in a case before the United States Supreme Court. In 2006 he joined the Salt Lake City firm Durham, Jones, and Pinegar (Dentons, Durham, Jones, Pinegar) where he continued to win cases and awards and served as the ethics Chief Compliance Officer from 2018 until his retirement.

Steve won many awards in his illustrious legal career, including Lawyer of the Year/Bankruptcy, Insolvency, & Reorginazation in 2012 and 2014, Mountain States Super Lawyer in 2014, Best Lawyer for Best Lawyers of America in 2016, and Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year for Utah from America’s Best Lawyers several times. Perhaps most significantly, he was inducted into the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy in 1998 for his expertise, scholarship, and integrity in the practice of law.

Steve was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in a wide variety of callings including as a missionary in Mexico City from 1973 to 1975, as a Primary and Gospel Doctrine teacher, and as the Young Men’s president. He also served in multiple bishoprics and served as Stake Executive Secretary, Stake Auditor, and as a High Counselor in two stakes.

Steve’s primary focus, however, was always his family. After forty years of practicing law, he retired in 2021 to spend more time with his wonderful wife, Marion, and his children and grandchildren. Steve enjoyed playing the guitar & piano and listening to music, particularly Tom Petty, and we remember him for his love of classic rock. He especially loved playing the guitar with his sons and grandchildren as they grew. He learned to love fly-fishing and fly-tying from his dad, and took his kids fishing when they were young, just as his dad had with him. He also enjoyed hiking and trail running in the mountains near his home, and spending as much time as possible with all of us.

Steve is survived by his sister Lana Stimpson.

The viewing will be held at P Street and 4th Ave Church on Wednesday August 14th at 10 am, with a funeral service to follow from 1 to 2 pm.

Steve, you were a true role model, whom we will always look up to. You are now at peace, but you will live on forever in our hearts, and we know you will be watching over us. We love you so much. Rest in peace.

To watch the recorded service, please click on the Watch Service button above.