Kurt Aldous Whitlock

Kurt Aldous Whitlock, age 70, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully following a stroke, at his home in Cedar Hills, Utah, on December 2, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Gunnison, Utah, on March 31, 1951, to Aldous Q and Katherine Jensen Whitlock, Kurt was the oldest of four children. His parents created a happy childhood and home for him and his three younger sisters, and he always felt loved by his grandparents.

Kurt married his beautiful sweetheart, Noriko Koyama, on December 19, 1972, in the Laie Hawaii Temple. Theirs was a deep and genuine love story, with neither ever wanting to be far from the other. They lovingly and joyfully raised four children, rejoiced in each child’s spouse, and delighted in their 23 grandchildren whom they love dearly.

Kurt attended Snow College, and graduated from BYU-Hawaii, majoring in Asian Studies and Japanese Language. He also attended J. Reuben Clark Law School, followed by the University of Southern Mississippi, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Political Science, with an International Relations/Public Administration emphasis. Kurt worked his way through college as a PCC tour guide and tram driver in Hawaii, night dispatcher for the Provo Police Department, and taught English as a Second Language while in Hattiesburg. He was later employed as a Programmer/Systems Analyst by Salt Lake County and the State of Utah, and created the computer system still in use by the Hawaii State Court. He spent the majority of his career working for the Correlation Department, Research Information Division of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kurt had many talents and interests, and used them to help and bless his family in countless ways. He was skilled in gardening, growing plants and trees from seed, and enjoyed raising and cross-breeding poultry. He assembled a flock of rare poultry from across the country, and was appointed as Acting President of the American Poultry Society, while still in his youth. He loved the mountains and being outdoors, fishing, and enjoying nature. He was a prolific writer, an avid reader, learner, pursuer of knowledge, and a fierce defender of truth. He had a diligent interest in current events. He was grateful for his ancestors and enjoyed researching and sharing their stories. Kurt loved to travel throughout the United States, Japan, and Europe, but his heart was in the islands of Hawaii. From being married and starting a young family in Punaluu, to their retirement at their home in Waikele, Kurt and Noriko enjoyed many wonderful years in their island paradise.

Kurts life was one of service and devotion because of his love for the Lord. He served in the Japan Central Mission (1970-72) and later served in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission (2000-02) with Noriko as his companion. He and Noriko served together as temple ordinance workers in Hawaii, as Branch and Relief Society President of the Charleston Senior Assisted Living Center, and as BYU Singles Stake High Councilor and Stake Relief Society Counselor. They always said they were a package deal. Kurt also enjoyed his service as a Bishop. Kurt left a remarkable legacy of family, love, and faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents Aldous and Katherine Whitlock, sister Shauna Anderson, parents-in-law Toshio and Sono Koyama, and brother-in-law Shigetoshi Takaoka.

Kurt is survived by his beloved wife Noriko; children Edward (Leslie) Whitlock, Evelyn (Bret) Miller, Elaine (Seiki) Filiaga, and Spencer (Stephanie) Whitlock; 23 grandchildren; sisters Linda Whitlock and Pamela (Grant) Jackson; in-laws James Anderson, Toru (Naoko) Koyama, and Yoko Takaoka; aunt Lorraine Nielsen, and uncle Clyde Jensen.

A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. A private family service will be held and interment will follow in the Mayfield Cemetery.

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