Warren Hugh Sweeten, Jr., 9 August 1910

HURRICANE, UT – Warren Hugh Sweeten, Jr. died at his home on April 4, 2002. Hugh was born August 9, 1910 in Rockland, ID, the eldest son of Warren Hugh and Lila Howard Sweeten.

Hugh married Beth Hartley on August 16, 1940 in the Salt Lake Temple. He served in the Eastern Canadian Mission. He was a High Priest in the LDS Church and served faithfully for many years in various positions.

Hugh grew up in Holbrook, ID; attending school in Brigham City, UT, graduating from Box Elder High School where he served as student body president. He attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, but because of family responsibilities after the death of his father in 1930, he could not continue his schooling.

Hugh’s employment career covered many years as a successful salesman. He was Intermountain Regional Sales manager for Salt Lake Glass & Paint and Pabco Linoleum Co.; and Western Regional Sales Manager for Polaris Snowmobile Co. and Sno-Jet Snowmobile Co.

Hugh was a pioneer in the Utah snowmobile industry and was instrumental in establishing the Utah Snowmobile Assn. Hugh loved being involved in every aspect of snowmobiling from promoting winter and summer races to participating with his four sons in a grueling 500 mile cross country race. He received many awards for his innovative programs in the snowmobile industry.

The greatest joy of his life was his founding of the first youth riding club in the state, The Olympus Mounties in 1953. Within two years, the Mounties had grown from a dozen kids to well over 100 riders and horses. He influenced many lives as drillmaster of his beloved Mounties.

After his second retirement, Hugh and Beth moved to Springdale, UT where they owned an Indian trading post, making many friends among the Indians and learning to love and appreciate their culture.

Hugh is survived by his wife, Beth and six children: Lynda (Rick) Sentker; Warren (Sarah) Sweeten; Charlie (Mary Bybee) Sweeten; Hart (Sonja) Sweeten; Maria (Steve Asbury) Sweeten; Curt (Tonya) Sweeten; 20 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren and three brothers and four sisters.

We will celebrate Hugh’s life at a memorial service on April 8, 2002 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, Sandy, UT. Interment will be in the Woodland, UT Cemetery.