Joseph Paul Kochevar

Joseph Paul Kochevar, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, gardener, fisherman, and devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on June 17, 2026, at the age of ninety-three.

Born on March 18, 1933, in Spring Glen, Utah, to Joseph William and Elva Kochevar, Paul was the grandson of Slovenian immigrants who came through Ellis Island before settling in the coal-mining communities of Carbon County. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering work ethic became part of his own character. Although his family later moved to Southern California, Carbon County always remained "home" in his heart.

As a boy, Paul loved the outdoors and treasured the companionship of his brothers, Lew, Don, and Bruce. Together they explored the hills, hunted, fished, worked, laughed, wrestled, and occasionally tormented one another in the way only brothers can. They were a lively, raucous group whose adventures forged lifelong friendships. His bond with his brother Lew was especially close and remained one of the defining relationships of his life. After the family moved to Southern California, they welcomed their youngest sibling, Joann, whose presence brought a softer balance to the spirited household.

Paul demonstrated remarkable discipline and leadership, even as a young man. At Eagle Rock High School in Glendale, California, he served as student body president and graduated as valedictorian of his class. He later attended Brigham Young University, a place that would forever hold a special place in his heart. There, he excelled both academically and athletically, playing center for the BYU Cougars during the 1953 and 1954 football seasons.

Of all the blessings he received at BYU, none compared to meeting Jeanine Greenwood. From the day they met, they were rarely apart. They were married on March 16, 1956, beginning a remarkable love story that would span seventy years. Together they built a home centered on faith, family, and devotion to one another. They were blessed with six children—Denise, Diane, Dawn, Carolyn, Michael, and Scott—and, at the time of Paul's passing, a posterity of twenty-six grandchildren and seventy-three great-grandchildren, each one dearly loved.

His devotion to Jeanine was unmistakable. He watched over her with quiet tenderness, especially during the last few months of her life. He was a wonderful provider and created a home where both Jeanine and his children felt safe. He always placed her needs before his own, and there was never a day that passed without him telling her he loved her. When Jeanine passed away in April 2026, he deeply mourned the loss of his eternal companion. Just two months later, he peacefully joined her once again, a reunion their family knows was filled with joy.

Paul found genuine satisfaction in hard work, and he believed that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. It was a lesson he taught by example and one that his six children have carried with them throughout their lives. He expected much of his children because he knew they were capable of much.

In the Kochevar home, work came before play. Summer mornings often began before sunrise as Paul roused his sleepy children to cut and haul a load of firewood for the coming winter or to help in the family's large vegetable and flower gardens. Together they weeded long rows, picked peas and beans, harvested sweet corn, and gathered the season's bounty. A portion of the money earned from selling the family's flowers and vegetables was placed in a family jar, and at the end of the season, everyone celebrated with dinner at a favorite restaurant followed by a movie. Looking back, his children understand that the greatest reward was never the dinner or the movie. It was learning that honest work brings deep satisfaction and that life's sweetest pleasures are often those earned together.

Education was Paul's chosen profession and one of his greatest callings. For nearly four decades, he served students and teachers in the Jordan School District as a mathematics teacher, vice principal, and principal. During his career, he influenced the lives of thousands of students at West Jordan Junior High School, the original Bingham High School in Copperton, Butler Junior High School, Hillcrest High School, and Indian Hills Middle School. Paul expected excellence of himself, and that example inspired others. Students and teachers wanted to do their best because they knew Mr. Kochevar expected nothing less of himself.

Teaching, however, was never confined to the classroom. As each of Paul's children can attest, if you asked Dad for help with your math homework, you weren't getting a quick answer; you were getting a master class. By the time you left the kitchen table, you could work an algebra or trigonometry problem inside out, upside down, and sideways.

Although education was Paul’s profession, family was his life's greatest joy. Fourth of July breakfasts found him faithfully standing at the griddle flipping pancakes. At the family hot dog roasts, he could be seen teaching the grandchildren how to properly toast a marshmallow. He loved hosting the Christmas breakfast at the Village Inn, and his generosity at Christmas was legendary. Yet some of his happiest moments were the simplest: sitting on the porch swing with Jeanine on a quiet morning, sharing a cold Diet Coke; visiting on the back porch with children and grandchildren who had dropped by on a Sunday evening; enjoying an unhurried one-on-one conversation with a grandchild; or getting down of the floor to play games with a great-grandchild.

Paul loved making things grow. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of gardening and delighted in sharing it with anyone who asked. Corn was his favorite crop, and during harvest season he enjoyed it morning, noon, and night. One of his greatest pleasures each summer was picking and eating the first ripe tomato of the season.

His greatest passion, however, was growing gladiolas. Together with his brother, Lew, what began as a hobby became a lifelong pursuit. He carefully cross-pollinated varieties, developed new blooms, and cultivated magnificent gladiolas with perfectly straight stalks and vibrant blossoms. His flowers earned dozens of blue ribbons and numerous Best of Show awards at county and state fairs, and florists throughout the Salt Lake Valley purchased them by the dozens. In the summer, there was always a vase of colorful glads on the counter, and his huge gladiola patch in bloom was a sight to see!

Paul found as much joy in sharing what he grew as he did in growing it. Friends and neighbors often received one of his homemade pies, a bouquet of freshly cut gladiolas, or a dozen ears of corn from his garden. And each autumn, neighborhood children and families were invited to wander through his pumpkin patch to choose the perfect pumpkin to take home.

He loved fishing almost as much as gardening. The Duchesne River was one of his favorite places on earth. He seemed to know exactly where the trout were hiding, and he delighted in teaching his children and grandchildren where to find them.

Paul also loved to tell stories. Whether recounting deer and elk hunts, memorable fishing trips, his boyhood in Carbon County, his years in education, or the colorful lives of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends, he enjoyed preserving family history by sharing those stories with his children and grandchildren.

In everyday conversation, however, Paul was more inclined to listen than to speak, often letting Jeanine carry the conversation while he smiled nearby. After her passing, his children and grandchildren discovered another side of him. During those final two months, many were blessed with quiet one-on-one conversations that revealed new stories, tender memories, and quiet wisdom, helping us gain an even deeper appreciation for the remarkable man we always loved.

Integrity was Paul's defining characteristic. He never acted dishonestly, broke a promise, or spoke unkindly about another person. If Paul gave his word, it could be trusted. Early in adulthood, he decided what he believed, and from that day forward he never wavered. His moral compass was fixed, and he quietly stayed the course, regardless of changing opinions or circumstances.

Paul was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully wherever he was needed. For many years, he and Jeanine served in the baptistry of the Jordan River Temple. Serving as bishop of the Riverton First Ward was a calling Paul especially cherished, but perhaps no calling brought him greater joy than serving as a stake patriarch. Among the greatest blessings of his later years was placing his hands upon the heads of many of his grandchildren as he gave them their patriarchal blessings.

He loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, with quiet conviction and unwavering faith. His testimony was never loud, but it was immovable. His children never questioned whether the family would attend church, hold Family Home Evening, or strive to live the gospel. Their father had already made those decisions. His example created a clear path that generations after him continue to follow.

Paul is survived by his six children: Denise Wade (Mark), Diane Del Toro, Dawn Bernardo (Tony), Carolyn DeMill (Jed), Michael Kochevar (Kristen), and Scott Kochevar (Kristie); his twenty-six grandchildren; and his seventy-three great-grandchildren, who were the joy of his life.

He is also survived by his brother, Bruce Kochevar (Karalee); his sister, JoAnn Handley; his sisters-in-law, JoAnn Robertson, Celia Kochevar, Afton Greenwood, and Susan Stott; and his brothers-in-law, Gerald (Jeannie) Greenwood and Stephen (Doris) Greenwood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanine; his parents, Joseph William and Elva Kochevar; his parents-in-law, Orren and Jennie Greenwood; his brothers, William "Billy" Kochevar, Lewis Kochevar, and Don Kochevar; his brothers-in-law, Bruce Hanson, David Lloyd, Gary Jones, and Larry Stott; his sisters-in-law, Jessie Lloyd and Shirley Jones; his grandson, Joshua Kochevar; his great-grandsons, Chad and Andrew Kukahiko and Sawyer and Rowan Foote; and his granddaughter-in-law, Jackie Del Toro.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverton Park Ward chapel, 12998 South 1300 West, Riverton, Utah. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State Street, Midvale, Utah.

As Paul's children, we are deeply grateful for the large place he held in our lives. Dad, thank you for teaching us to work hard, love generously, and cherish the simple things. We will think of you whenever we see gladiolas in bloom, cast a fishing line into the river, plant a garden, or gather around the family table. We love you, and we will carry your example with us always.