St. George, UT - Shirl Harry Pitchforth, 90, was born in St. George on November 14, 1919, to John Hartley Pitchforth and Lucile Eliza Schmutz Pitchforth. He passed away on July 26, 2010, from causes incident to his age. Shirl was proud to be of Swiss German and English descent. His childhood was spent in Milford, Morgan, Vernal, and St. George, Utah, and Hayden Colorado. John died when Shirl was 14 years old, leaving Lucile to raise Shirl and younger brother, Herb. Lucile sacrificed to get Shirl a used trumpet, which he learned to play like few others could. He played in many dance bands and programs through high school and put himself through college playing in "The Top Hatters" at BYU and many other venues. He graduated from Dixie College in 1939 and BYU in 1941, earning a B.S. in Accounting. Shirl married his sweetheart, Bernice Miles, in the St. George LDS Temple September 27, 1941. They moved to Glendale, CA, where he worked for Lockheed Aircraft during WWII. He later enlisted and served two years with an Army Supply Depot unit as a Master Sergeant in Saipan and Hawaii. Returning to St. George, Shirl and Bernice worked long hours side by side in the Miles family businesses, most notably at the Market Basket, and on numerous "projects" with his brother-in-law, Dick Miles, and wife, Maurine. Market Basket employees through the years were given a great education on how to work hard, coupled with the fine art of practical jokes of which Shirl was often a facilitator and recipient. He was also very creative in the use of four-letter words. The Pitchforths enjoyed a wonderful family life centered around community service and the family businesses. Shirl labored long hours to see that his family had what they needed and some of what they wanted. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather while teaching thriftiness, honesty, personal responsibility, community service, and how to enjoy a good joke or story. Many hungry members of the community were the recipients of boxes of food left anonymously on their doorsteps by Shirl and associates. After 56 years of marriage, Bernice passed away in 1998. Shirl tenderly and lovingly cared for Bernice in her difficult, final years. In 1999, he married a longtime, dear friend, Marie Booth, whose husband, Fred, had passed away the same week as Bernice. Shirl and Marie enjoyed a decade together loving, laughing, traveling, and taking care of each other. She is a blessed treasure to Shirl and his family. For 35 years, Shirl was a member of the St. George City Utility Commission (later the St. George Water and Power Board), serving 33 years as chairman. He was very instrumental in the construction of the Gunlock Reservoir, many city water wells, and the Red Hills power station; the stabilization and expansion of electrical delivery systems for St. George; and other projects. To say the least, Shirl was passionate about St. George's water and power. He actively served nearly 40 years each in the St. George Lions Club and St. George Volunteer Fire Department, attending weekly meetings and faithfully supporting each organization's community service activities. He recently received a 60-year pin from the Utah State Firefighters Association. Shirl played trumpet in the Southwest Symphony for several years and with many bands and groups organized for specific events. He was a charter member of "The Garden Club," attending club "meetings" and "field trips." His oft-repeated stories (fact and fiction) are legendary. He loved Diet Cokes, card games, roses, a tidy yard, selling tickets at the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup, his recliner, and playing with the grandkids. A hunting or fishing trip could trump all. He really did buy Bernice an old boat for Mothers' Day! Shirl also served as an LDS ward or stake finance clerk or stake auditor for about 15 years and at various callings prior to that. He is survived by his wife, Marie Booth Pitchforth of St. George; children Peggy Ann (John) Steele of Michigan, Charles Pitchforth, Sharon (Ronald) Snow; brother Herb Pitchforth; and sister-in-law, Maurine Miles, all of St. George. Shirl was so proud of his children, 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren of whom many interesting "stories" were told. Shirl is also survived by Marie's children: Dorrel (Arlene) Booth, Nesa (the late Lloyd) Booth, Marvel Lynn (Kyle) Pace, Craig (Maureen) Booth, and Kelly (Mary Ann) Booth, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly welcomed Grandpa Shirl into their lives. As a family, we thank the dedicated owners and staff of Beehive Homes and Applegate Home Health and Hospice for their loving care. Thank you to the St. George LDS Third Ward for decades of love and compassionate service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dixie High School Band, Attention: Pam Graf, Director, Washington County School District Foundation, 121 West Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770, or the Dixie State College Herald Trumpet Scholarships, c/o George Whitehead, 225 South 700 East, St. George, UT 84770. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday, July 30th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., both at the Mortuary. Interment will be at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.