Ted Lunt Gabbitas

Ted Lunt Gabbitas was born on December 26, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah and died on December 20, 2024. He was the youngest of five living children of Port and Della Lunt Gabbitas. He grew up in Bountiful, Utah. In Cambodia, they celebrate the life of a person who dies, 100 days after their death. Our daughter-in-law, Kailee, introduced us to this custom, so we are celebrating Ted’s life now-especially since he died just five days before Christmas. It is pleasing him, I’m sure, that we are celebrating so close to Easter and the Promise of the Resurrection.

Ted graduated from Bountiful High School and was called to serve a mission to Samoa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His uncle had served in Samoa so he was quite excited to get his call to serve down in the South Pacific. He had no idea that the language would be quite difficult to learn, and the conditions were very primitive, but he survived and learned to love the people and became very fluent in Samoan. He had occasion to use his skills in the language for the rest of his life.

Upon returning to Utah, Ted enrolled at the University of Utah but had to complete his Military obligation first. He signed up for the Utah National Guard and was assigned to Fort Ord, California and then Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After his basic training, he returned to the University of Utah and graduated in accounting. He married Sandy Schmidt in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and by the time he finished at the “U”, their first daughter, Taunie, was three years old. Right out of college, he was offered a job with Price Waterhouse in Western Samoa, (now just called Samoa). They lived for two years in Samoa and returned with Price Waterhouse to the Los Angeles office.

They lived for one year in Los Angeles and had returned to Utah when an offer came from the Government of American Samoa for him to take a position as the Comptroller for the Government of America Samoa. It was “an offer you can’t refuse”. So, they returned to Samoa with three children for another two years. Their fourth child was born in American Samoa. They returned to Utah and Ted worked for the University of Utah, several other companies and then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their last two children were born in Murray, Utah. In 1986, Ted was asked to take a position in Western Samoa with the Church so the family returned to Samoa for another year and a half.

In 2000, they moved to Redondo Beach, California and Ted worked for a short time there before retiring. In 2013, they returned, temporarily, to Utah to help Sandy’s parents who were both 96. After a year and a half in Utah, they were called as Senior Missionaries to serve in the Polynesian Cultural Center in La’ie, Hawai’i.

2016 found them back in the condo they loved in Redondo Beach. In 2021, both Ted and Sandy felt it was time to leave the stairs in their condo in California and return to Utah where four of their children and their three grandchildren lived.

They were able to find the perfect three-year-old condo in Herriman, Utah with NO stairs. They have missed California these past four years but have loved living in Herriman too.

Ted always enjoyed his activities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the opportunities it has give him to serve others. He has mostly served on Stake High Councils including 10 years in California helping the Samoan Ward. The Ward was called the Nu’umau Ward, which means Bountiful and Ted grew up in Bountiful, Utah. It was a perfect fit. He loved his associations there and it helped him keep his Samoan fluent.

Ted was a very kind and loving husband and father. His death has been a shock to everyone as it was totally unexpected. But he believed deeply in our Father in Heaven and His plan for us for the Eternities, so he has just left us for a short time, and we will see him again. His family has appreciated all the expressions of love from Ted’s Forever Friends and Forever Family.

Ted is survived by his wife, Sandy, one sister, Judy Kjar, one sister-in-law, Carolyn Gabbitas, five amazing children and their spouses and grandchildren. Taunie (deceased) (Scott Kravitz), Brett (Sharon), Trisha (Jaco Pienaar), Jason, Darren (Kailee), and Amber (Matt Marek), and three wonderful grandchildren, Alexi Hunsaker, Ike and Cade Gabbitas.

A 100 day “Celebration of Life” Will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 4:00pm. Saddle Brook Ward, 14068 S. Rosecrest Road (5600 W.), Herriman, Utah.

A short Memorial Service for Ted will be followed by a Fia Fia/ Hawai’ian Luau. Aloha wear or Casual Dress please.

The family will be streaming the services independently via Zoom. Those wishing to view the services can click the "Watch Services" link above or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81118486778