Xing Wu
Related Articles
1928 – 2022
Dr. Paul Orin Berrett of Orem, UT passed away after a peaceful last day in his home, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. He was born in his family home in Riverton, UT on March 1, 1928, to Orin and Nellie Roote Berrett. His father died when he was 8 and his mother remarried (Mahonri Butterfield) when he was a teenager, giving him 8 new siblings who have remained close over the years.
Paul was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, serving in many callings, including Young Men leader, Sunday School teacher, , a stake Seventy, bishop of a BYU student ward, and bishop’s counselor in the Sharon 1st ward. , Orem. He also served for many years as an ordinance worker at the Mount Timpanogos temple.
Paul attended the University of Utah after graduating from Jordan High School, intending to become an electrical engineer. The bishop of his parish invited him to pray to do a mission for the Lord and suspended his engineering studies. He did as the bishop asked of him and received his answer to serve as he was about to say “no” to the bishop. He was called to serve in the Western States Mission (Nebraska and Colorado) from 1950 to 1952. In time, he was appointed district president in his area. A dedicated and hardworking sister, Lillian Gerber, was in her district. He admired her great love for people, and to make a short story even shorter, he made it a point once he got home to Riverton to go to Granger and meet his family. They courted briefly after Lillian returned home and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 19, 1952. They would later serve in the mission field again, but as companions, in 1995 in the mission Mississippi Jackson.
Paul graduated from the University of Utah in electrical engineering and in 1953 moved to Culver City, California to work at Hughes Aircraft. He received his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. There, in California, they welcomed two little girls into their home and served faithfully in the Church and helped open the new LA Temple in Santa Monica. Paul continued his education, teaching at the University of Utah and earning his doctorate in electrical engineering. He started working as a professor of electrical engineering at Brigham Young University in 1964 and worked there for about 30 years. Paul loved to teach and influenced thousands of lives to achieve success in life. He has worked in research and consulting for the Atomic Energy Commission, NASA and the Naval Air Weapons Center in China Lake, California, and other research and development companies.
Paul taught that true science and true religion were one and the same. He was a lover of truth and a humble follower of Christ. He found the good in people and he and his wife have opened their arms and their homes to many, many people over the years.
Paul and Lillian are the parents of 8 children, 30 grandchildren and dozens of great-grandchildren.
Paul is survived by his children Shaunna (Sergio) Cuevas of Plain City, UT; Cynthia (Dave) Boyle of Monroe, LA; Roger (Diane) Berrett of Eagle Mountain, Utah; Leon (Lori) Berrett of Riverton, Utah; Bruce âUncle Booã Berrett of Orem, UT; Karen (Ric) Cleveland of Layton, Utah; Mark (Rebecca) Berrett of Lehi, UT; and Doug (Shauna) Berrett of Orem, UT; and his brother Bernell (Carolyn) Berrett of Murray, UT; and her half-brother Neil (Dorothy) Butterfield of Logan, UT.
He is predeceased by his wife, parents and sisters Maxine Bradshaw and Joyce Thorup, and seven of his Butterfield siblings.
The viewing is from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 S State Street, Orem, UT. A second visitation will be held Thursday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Sharon 1st Ward, 641 S 400 E, Orem, UT with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in the town of Orem. Graveyard.
A special thank you to everyone who made it possible for Paul to live his life comfortably and safely in his own home to his many kind caregivers over the years, especially dear Norma Maldonado and Maricela Rivas, and to Bruce, his son , for his daily love and care for his father, encouraging him to maintain his strength and health as best he could.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Mission Fund. Guestbook online at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com.
