Lawrence "Scoop" Wagstaff

Lawrence “Scoop” Wagstaff passed away with his family by his side on August 2, 2019 in SLC, UT at the age of 99. He was born January 21, 1920 in SLC, UT to Fredrick and Clara Wagstaff. He married Helen Gerrard on April 26, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple. He is survived by his children Linda (Dick) Leppard, Dave (Shauna) Wagstaff, Alan Mcewan, son-in-law, 12 Grandchildren, 30 Great Grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Proceeded in death by his beloved wife Helen, daughter Diane, brother Earl, 3 half-brothers, and an infant brother and sister.

Scoop grew up in the Poplar Grove area where he attended Edison Elementary School, Jordon Junior High School, and West High School. While attending West, Scoop was on the swim team, football team, and stage crew. He went on to graduate from Trade Technical College. Scoop was an avid Scouter while in high school and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He worked at Camp Steiner in the Uintah’s as a lifeguard and waterfront director.

Scoop was drafted into the Army in 1941. He was stationed in San Francisco in the Coastal Artillery and was ready to sail to the Philippines when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December. He remained in San Francisco to guard the West Coast.

In March of 1941, Scoop met Helen at a gold and green ball (he told us that she was with his friend, but it was love at first sight). They wrote to each other and in October of 1942 they were engaged. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 26, 1944 while Scoop was home on a short leave from the Army. Scoop was only home for 9 days and then reassigned to the Infantry and was sent to Germany in General Patton’s 3rd Army, 5th Division.

Scoop was taken prisoner of war while crossing the Rhine River in Worms, Germany. At the time of their first wedding anniversary, he was reported missing in action and unknown to those at home, a prisoner of war. Scoop was liberated by the Americans at Maren, Germany and came home on a troop ship which gave him a little time to recuperate and gain some weight back. We never knew how much he suffered because he didn’t want to talk about it. Scoop received the following medals – Good Conduct American Campaign, American Defense Service, Europe African Middle eastern Campaign Medal, Prisoner of War Medal.

Scoop was a scout master for 25 years in the Webster and Wilford Wards. He and his troops pioneered many new scout camps including East Fork of the Bear, Camp Pine Lake, and East Bear Lake Camp. He received many scouting awards including Scout Master Key, Ute District Silver Bee Award, and Honorary Master M Award. He was an active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in many leadership callings. He retired from Continental Bank after 35 years as building engineer.

Scoop’s hobbies included fishing, taking pictures, making homemade movies, and eating chocolate ice cream. He loved his family and was so happy to be with them and hear of their lives. He was always cheerful, happy, never complained, cared about others, loving to all who knew him, brought a spirit of joy wherever he went, and was always thankful for everything.

We as a family, express our love and thanks to our aunts, Carol Christiansen and Norma Walters, for the loving care you showed to our dad. We would also like to thank Vern Millius and Ralph Pollei for the friendship and numerous rides to church you provided for him. In addition, we give thanks the staff at the VA for their love and outstanding care of our dad.

We love and miss you Dad. Grandpa, Great-Grandpa!

Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the Wilford Ward, 3179 S Highland Drive. Viewing 10-11:15am and funeral services at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, Scoop’s final request is to perform a good deed for someone in his honor.