In the Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Edition

 

In This Week’s Edition

 

Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

JAMES PEACOCK II

PAYSON- James Ellis Peacock II, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 79 on April 27, 2025.

James was born January 22, 1946, to Ellis Deloss Peacock and Ellen Annie Dimick Peacock in Dragerton, Utah. After spending some of his childhood in Dragerton, his family moved to Green River, Utah, where he worked in his father’s grocery store.

James married Carol Jean Behnke in Montebello, California in 1970. They were later sealed in the Manti, Utah temple in 1990 .

After spending time in Green River and Las Vegas, in 1979 James and his wife Carol moved to Payson, Utah, where they continued to grow their sweet family of 4 boys. After growing up in the grocery industry beside his father, James continued to work in that field working for Smiths Food and Drug for 30 years.

When James was attending high school in Green River he played on his basketball varsity team for 4 years and was part of playing in the finals in Salt Lake City, which was a big deal for the small town of Green River. Later in life he enjoyed watching college sports, spending time with his family, and cherishing his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his kindness and love for his family. His laughter and wisdom were gifts to everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his former wife Carol Peacock; his children Ryan (Natalie) Peacock of West Chester, Ohio, Jamie (Amy) Peacock of Orem, Utah, Blair (Alisha) Peacock of Mona, Utah, and Jed (Katrina) Peacock of Payson, Utah, and thirteen grandchildren; his sisters Becky (Stan) Chappell of Richfield, Utah and Tammie (Jack) Frost of Dillon, Montana.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis Peacock and Ellen Dimick, as well as his sisters Barbara Cartwright and Gwen Weihing.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the iCare Hospice team and the wonderful staff at Beehive Homes of Santaquin who cared so much for James during his time there.

Graveside service, Saturday May 3 2025, 12 noon, Price City Cemetery (595 e 400 n, Price UT).  The family will receive friends and family from 10:30-11:30am at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 e Main Street, Price UT) prior to the graveside.  

Santaquin City To Hold 2025 Municipal Election; Filing period from June 2-6

Santaquin City will hold an election for the four-year mayoral office and two four-year city council terms this year.

Candidates must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and a resident of Santaquin City for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election and not have been convicted of a felony. See Utah Code 20A-9-203 for more details. Candidates will be required to timely file certain financial disclosures and conflict of interest forms related to their campaign or be disqualified.

Those interested in filing for candidacy for municipal office must file IN PERSON with the City Recorder between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, the week of June 2nd through June 6th, 2025.

Primary Election to be held August 12, 2025.

General Election to be held November 4, 2025.

In This Week’s Edition

 

Trailer:

Special Payson City Council Meeting/Work Session

 

April 15, 2025

In This Week’s Edition

 

Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

 

ABOUT PAYSON NATIVE JOHN B FAIRBANKS, JR

C1920s PHOTO captures the artist John Boylston Fairbanks, Jr, at work, sketching along the side of a dirt road in Zions National Park, Utah, a horse-drawn buggy behind.

John B. Fairbanks (1855–1940) was a prominent American artist from Utah, best known for his landscape paintings and his contributions to early Mormon art. Born in Payson, Utah Territory, Fairbanks grew up in a devout Latter-day Saint (LDS) family. His father was a convert to the LDS Church and an early settler in Utah. From a young age, Fairbanks displayed a talent for drawing and an appreciation for the dramatic landscapes of the American West.

In 1890, Fairbanks was selected by the LDS Church to be part of a group of artists sent to Paris to study at the renowned Académie Julian. This opportunity came under the direction of Church President Wilford Woodruff, who wanted trained artists to paint murals for LDS temples. Fairbanks studied alongside fellow artists like John Hafen, Lorus Pratt, and Edwin Evans. The time in France deeply influenced his technique, introducing him to Impressionism and European artistic traditions.

After returning to Utah in 1892, Fairbanks helped paint murals in the Salt Lake Temple, completed in 1893. His work in the temple and his later landscapes helped define the aesthetic of early LDS religious art. He became well known for his vivid portrayals of Utah’s deserts, mountains, and valleys, blending realism with impressionistic touches.

In addition to his painting, Fairbanks was a teacher and mentor to younger artists, and he remained active in Utah’s growing art community throughout his life. He was also the father of Avard Fairbanks, a renowned sculptor.

John B. Fairbanks’ legacy lies in both his artistic achievements and his role in shaping the visual culture of the LDS Church. His work remains appreciated for its spiritual depth and its celebration of the natural beauty of the American West.

Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

 

 

Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

 

In the April 2, 2025 Edition of The Payson Chronicle

 

DIY wax flowers:

In This Week’s Edition

 

Payson Library Installs Outside Drop Box

Returning certain library loan items was made convenient last week with the installation of a new drop box in Historic Downtown Payson

Green in color, the outside dropbox is located across the street from the Payson Library. Patrons are welcome to return books, video games, and movies. All other items must be returned inside the library at 66 South Main Street. 

April 2, 2025 Payson City Council Meeting