Van Ray Scovill

Van Ray Scovill, 71, of Ammon, passed away from a brain hemorrhage on December 6, 2024. He was surrounded by his family.

Van was born December 14, 1952, in Price, Utah, to Joseph Alma Scovill and Leona May Bigelow Scovill. He grew up in Green River, Utah, exploring the San Rafael Swell and Goblin Valley (before it was a state park) in his friend’s tiny Jeep. Small town life entertainment also included hay rides, dances, ice skating, and Christmas caroling. As a young boy, he often accompanied his father as he delivered fuel to the mines, getting out of the truck to “move rocks out of the road,” but in reality, his dad was safely getting him out of the truck in case it tipped over on the precarious backroads.

In May 1971, at 18, he was cruising down the street on his motorcycle when a beautiful young woman (Denise Johnson) asked for a ride. Within two weeks, they were completely in love and inseparable. On March 17, 1972, he married her in Granger, Utah, and spent the next 52 years loving her fiercely and unconditionally.

Van joined the United States Army and had a successful military career. He became the first ever nuclear medicine technician assigned to Fort Hood and set up the first clinic there. He retired as a Major in the Army Reserve.

Van and Denise had five children, and made their home in Ammon, Idaho, where he worked as a Physical Scientist at the Department of Energy.

He was able to retire early and made the most of retired life with his bride. His favorite hobbies were riding his motorcycle, scuba diving, rockhounding, four wheeling, hiking, camping, sitting in hot springs, and most of all, lovingly harassing his grandkids. Each grandkid has a special nickname bestowed upon them by their beloved grandpa. Van had so many talents, which included cutting and polishing rocks that Denise would turn into jewelry. He could fix anything and solve any problem, and if he couldn’t solve it quickly, he’d take a break, eat a sandwich, and then continue to work at it until he was successful. He had a knack for making friends everywhere he went, leaving strangers laughing after a brief interaction with him. He lived life aggressively, never settling for mediocrity.

Van is survived by his wife, Denise Scovill of Ammon, ID; sons, Graden (Lisa) Scovill, Devan Scovill, and Blake (Myndee) Scovill; daughters, Loni (Todd) Smith and Holly (Ben) Wallace; sister, Jolene Dalton; brothers, Lyle (Kerry) Scovill, Loyd Scovill, and Gary Jo Scovill; 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alma and Leona Scovill, and brother, Duane Scovill.

An open house will be held on December 19, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the LDS church located at 2055 South Ammon Road in Ammon, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, if you desire, write down your favorite memory of Van and bring it to the open house or email it to vanraymemories@gmail.com.