Harold H. Hiskey

Cedar City, Utah - Harold Harrison Hiskey, age 89, passed through the veil and into the arms of our Heavenly Father on March 15, 2021, at his home in Cedar City, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on October 8, 1931, in Bicknell, Utah, to Joseph Benjamin and Luva Forsyth Hiskey, the fifth of six children. Harold’s early years were spent in Teasdale during the winter. Summers were spent on the ranch just south of Torrey. At age 5, Harold rode a horse from the ranch to Torrey to attend kindergarten, a distance of about two miles. Harold graduated from Wayne High School in 1949. Upon graduation, he helped his Dad operate the ranch. Harold also bought a truck and began picking up and hauling milk all over Wayne County. He had a work ethic of starting early in the morning which served him well throughout his life. Harold loved the outdoors and was “at home” fishing along the Fremont river and the high mountain lakes on the Boulder Mountain. He spent vacations and quality time with his family hunting, hiking, gathering pine nuts, and treasures in the Southern Utah area. Harold married the love of his life, Mona Ellett, on June 5, 1952 in the Manti LDS Temple. They were looking forward to their 70th wedding anniversary. Shortly after their marriage, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Ord and Fort Baker in California, Harold shipped out with 7,000 soldiers on the U.S. General Walker for Korea. He served as a Military Policeman and was discharged on October 1954. His time in the military proved to be pivotal for his future decisions in life. Harold observed that those with the best assignments/jobs had more education. He loved his life, home, and ranch in Teasdale and Torrey. However, upon Harold’s return from Korea, he made the difficult decision to leave Wayne County and moved his wife and family to Provo, Utah, enrolling in Brigham Young University (BYU). Following graduation in Agricultural Economics from BYU, Harold moved to Logan for his master’s degree in Economics at Utah State University (USU). Harold then spent a six-year stint as a Resource Economist with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. His drive for additional education returned him to USU, where he was the first person to graduate with a Ph.D. in Economics. Harold moved his wife and four children to Cedar City in 1970, embarking on his educational career as a professor at Southern Utah University (SUU). Two years later, Harold was named the Dean of the School of Business, Technology, and Communications. His tenure as Dean, for nearly 20 years, was admired for his attention to detail, fairness, and compassion for students. In 1991, Harold was named SUU’s first Vice President for Regional Service and the Director of the Center for Rural Life. Harold was known for establishing the First Annual Rural Summit at SUU. Community service began almost immediately upon Harold’s arrival in Cedar City and included two terms on the Cedar City Council, the President of the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce, membership on the Cedar City/Iron county Economic Development Board, and on the Selective Service Board. Harold was influential in naming Cedar City as “The Festival City.” He was also President of the Rotary Club, Junior Livestock, and the Hey Cedars (the local square-dancing organization). Harold was admired by his peers and an example to his posterity. He was a natural leader, careful with his thoughts and counsel. He was trusted and kept his life completely in alignment with his beliefs and values. Harold’s life and legacy were defined by his service to others. He possessed the uncommon gift of common sense. As such, people from all walks of life sought his wisdom, counsel, and advice. Harold is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the gospel and the teachings of Christ. His life reflected his beliefs in all he did. Opportunities to serve and callings of leadership came throughout his life. He served as a Home Teacher, Scoutmaster, Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Leader and Counselor in the Bishopric. He served as the Bishop of the Logan 13th Ward and Bishop of the Cedar City 11th Ward. Callings came to serve on the High Council in the SUU Stake and the Cedar City West Stake. Harold presided over the Cedar City West Stake as Stake President, Patriarch in the Cedar City University 2nd and 3rd Stakes, and as a Temple Ordinance Worker. He was called by President Hinckley and set apart as President of the St. George Temple. He was given sealing authority by Elder M. Russell Ballard on October 19, 2004. Mona also served faithfully as the Matron of the St. George Temple. Harold and his wife, Mona, served a mission together in two areas in Australia, Brisbane, from October 1997 to November 1998 and Papua New Guinea from December 1998 to April 1999. They were called to a second mission in the Presidency of the Utah Temple Square Mission from June 2001 to December 2002. Mona faithfully served by his side. Harold is survived by his loving wife, Mona; his four children Bertha Lu (Craig) McIlroy, Denver, CO; Sonia (Robert) Sherratt, St. George, UT; Joe (Janette) Hiskey, Fremont, UT; and Bruce (Lana) Hiskey, Spanish Fork, UT; 14 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren; brother Michael (Mary Ann) Hiskey of Spanish Fork. Harold’s fingerprints are on all his posterity. Harold is preceded in death by his parents Joseph B. Hiskey and Luva Forsyth Hiskey, brothers Austin Hiskey, Boyd Hiskey, and sisters Renabell Davis and Joan Jensen. Family funeral services will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at 12 Noon in the Cedar City 13th LDS Ward Chapel, 725 South 1100 West in Cedar City. Friends may call for viewing at the Southern Utah Mortuary in Cedar City, Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Because of COVID-19 mandate, all attendees are required to wear at mask and obey social distancing. Live streaming of the services can be viewed at www.springerturner.com under Harold's obituary. Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Utah Honor Guard will be Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 4:00 P.M. in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.