St. George, UT - Robert Orval Vowles, 85, long time resident of St. George, passed away on February 27, 2012, due to natural causes. He was born on June 13, 1926 in Tooele, Utah to Albert Orval Vowles and Amy Orme Vowles. He married Patricia Verneice Hansen in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on June 1, 1951. They were later divorced in 1981. He married Phyllis Ardell Overlade in February 1983, and they were later divorced in 2002. He married Thella Wilson Brock in October of 2003, and they were later divorced in 2011.

Days of his youth were spent in Ogden, Utah. He attended Ogden City Schools, graduating from Ogden High School in 1944. He served 2 ½ years in the United States Navy in the Philippines during World War II. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1953 with his Bachelors Degree in Education and in 1959 earned his Masters Degree in Educational Psychology.

His employment was in the field of Education in the Davis, Jordan, Ogden City and Weber County School Districts. He retired from Dixie College in 1982 having worked in Student Counseling, Testing and Financial Aid for many years.

He served an LDS Mission to the Western States Mission from 1946-1949. He also served in the California Anaheim Mission with his wife from 1984-1985. He served another mission with his wife in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission from 2004-2006. He served missions in St. George at the Member Locator Center and also the Family History Center. He was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many positions of leadership in northern Utah and in St. George. He particularly loved serving in the Scouting Program.

Robert was blessed with nine children: Sharlynn V. Carter of St. George, Utah; Scott Hansen Vowles (Kristine) of Queen Creek, Arizona; Michael Robert Vowles (Lucinda) of Orem, Utah; Jill V. Schrock (Dave) of Temecula, California; Kit Charles Vowles (Valerie) of St. George, Utah; Nannett V. Hinton (Clark) of Glendale, Arizona; Brad Christian Vowles (Karolyn) of Henderson, Nevada; Heidi V. Chappell (Rob) of Mesa, Arizona; and Melinda V. Smith (David) of Queen Creek, Arizona. He was also blessed with 41 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd., St. George, UT. Visitations will be held on Friday, March 2 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the mortuary. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.