Jax Hayes Pettey

Our loving father, husband, grandfather and friend, Jax Hayes Pettey, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at the age of 82 on May 24, 2025. He was in the company of his sweet wife Kathryn, the love of his life, at their cabin in the mountains overlooking Fish Lake, Utah, his favorite spot on Earth.

Jax came into this world in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 18, 1942, the second child of Leo Melvin and Kathleen (Hayes) Pettey. Growing up in the Millcreek area with his four brothers, Jax lived an active and adventurous childhood, playing numerous sports, hiking and camping with friends, and getting into enough mischief to provide a treasure trove of stories later to be recounted to his children and grandchildren. These tales included a neighborhood field accidently set ablaze, a zoo-worthy pet collection that included snakes, ducks, a raccoon and a bat, and adventures with the neighborhood friends Keith Rayner, Nile Schow, Goldie Gopher and Byron Dangerfield.

After graduating from Olympus High School, Jax joined the Army, doing basic training in Fort Ord, California, where he was recognized for his marksmanship. Following an honorable discharge from his military service, Jax served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission, serving in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. He would credit both this mission and his military service with preparing him for a career as an attorney and a lifetime of dedication to his faith.

Following his mission, Jax enrolled at the University of Utah, first graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Geology and later from the U’s law school, GO UTES!! However, Jax’s biggest achievement while attending the U was falling head over heels for and then marrying the beautiful Kathryn Hale on June 13, 1968, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Jax practiced law for nearly 50 years, representing clients in both civil law and real estate matters. Despite passionate pleas to his children not to follow his chosen career path (which two of his children ignored), Jax enjoyed the opportunities to help people that his legal practice provided. He worked full-time as a lawyer until the day before his passing and was regularly sought out for his wisdom and judgment on legal matters.

Jax was a salt-of-the-earth renaissance man who loved science, impressionist art, the music of Debussy and writing poetry, but felt truly at home eating hole-in-the-wall Mexican cuisine, listening to the Beatles and watching Hogan’s Heroes.

Jax was proud of his Hayes family Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated with a reverence and zeal that normally accompanies only Christmas or Halloween. Each year, St. Patrick’s Day morning would find him loading boxes of green carnations into his car to be personally delivered to family members, friends and co-workers.

Jax was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Bishop of the 4th Ward of the Sandy Hillcrest Stake from 1985 to 1991, and holding many other ward and stake callings. While maintaining a strong testimony throughout his life, he is also remembered for his loving and understanding approach with both members of the church and those of other faiths alike.

Jax was a sought-after speaker at weddings, funerals, and other meaningful events, during which he would predictably pull a sheet (or five) of paper from his jacket pocket and recite a poem he had written just for the occasion, sometimes sharing a song in his deep Johnny Cash baritone voice and ensuring that there would not be a dry eye left in the venue.

Jax loved children, especially his grandchildren, and they loved Jax. Every grandchild will surely tell you that they are Grandpa’s favorite. Their love for Grandpa might only be rivalled by the love felt toward Jax by the many family dogs, nurtured by their shared affection for chips and pulled pork and Jax’s willingness to surreptitiously share from the kitchen counter or dinner table.

Jax is survived by his sweetheart, Kathy; their six children and their spouses, Sean Pettey (Valerie Jorez), Brussels, Belgium; Jax (Stephanie) Pettey, Sandy; Scot (Tiffany) Pettey, Spokane, WA; Jeff (Gretchen) Pettey, Salt Lake City; Dix (Lacey) Pettey, Salt Lake City; and Katie Pettey (Nicholas Vornle), Salt Lake City; and 21 grandchildren. He is also survived by his four brothers and life-long best friends, Dix Pettey, Columbia, MO; Van (Debra) Pettey, Richland, WA; Bryce (Marilyn) Pettey, Bountiful; and Trent (Linda) Pettey, Sandy.

Viewing and funeral services will be held at the LDS Pebble Hills chapel, 8735 S Harvard Park Dr, Sandy, UT 84094. Viewing will be Friday May 30th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Funeral services will be on Saturday, May 31 at 9:30 AM. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Anderson & Goff Mortuary.

Funeral service zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/JaxHPettey

Contribution for flowers: https://tinyurl.com/Jaxpettey

In leu of flowers, philanthropic contributions may be sent to: https://tinyurl.com/JHPettey