Steven Gerald Wellington, age 29, was born January 17, 1992 in Salt Lake City Utah and left us on February 8, 2021. His creativity and brilliance was evidenced early in life. He was always looking to make any project exceptionally different and examining accepted norms before adopting them for himself. This creative and insightful mindset drove and fed him throughout his life. As a child his first entrepreneurial venture was making Cat-master business cards for the acquisitions of feral cats he intended to trap and sell using a cage he built in his little red wagon. He made marionette puppets. He again became an entrepreneur, setting up a booth to sell wind chimes he made along the Jordan River Parkway, this time with greater success. In addition to art, he grew up loving nature, animals, and drama. At age twelve he acquired an agent and his roles included commercials and playing Chris Pines’s character as a child in the movie Blind Dating. 

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Murray High School students remember him for his antics in the improv group he helped create and for his reinvention of the boneless, flailing-armed gatekeeper in the Wizard of Oz. He thrived in the filmmaking program taught and nurtured by Ryan Moffet, taking first place for state in the Skills USA Filmmaking category both his junior and senior years and taking third in the nation his senior year. He graduated with scholarships and remained an example, setting the bar for later filmmaking classes. 

After high school his interests turned to music. He studied for and became a sound engineer. He enjoyed having the music he created played at the Area 54 club and sharing it online and with friends and family.

Always an amazing artist looking to create something different, he reworked clocks into moving sculptures. Steven's latest endeavor in creativity was deciding he would learn to paint. His paintings were exhibited in cafes and exhibits and he soon acquired and painted a commission. 

He actively looked for opportunities to participate in life and meet people. His love of animals and concerns for ethical living led him to make friends in Vegan meet-ups and become a strong advocate for animal welfare. He joined a snowshoeing group, the Liberty Park drum circle, and the ninth and nine bicycling group. Steven was a great friend to his grandmother, taking her to garage sales and keeping her company when she experienced dementia. He lived in the moment and never stopped being amazed by nature. Both as a child and an adult, this love of nature lengthened hikes as he stopped to see everything along the way. He was a prankster and loved to surprise people. He kept friends on their toes by asking unexpected questions, then requiring explanations which forced them to really think. He was a teacher to those around him. He could be a good listener and offered fresh and unique perspectives. His daily choice was to look for the good, sharing an optimistic perspective to complaints of others. 

Steven is survived by his brothers, Adam Swenson of Salt Lake City, Utah and Eric Swenson of Boston, Massachusetts, his sisters Kyra and Daniella Wellington of South Weber, Utah, his mother Tawnie Johnson and Stepfather Gary Johnson of Murray, Stepmother Erika Waldrip of South Weber, Utah, Grandfather Gerald Wellington of Bountiful, Utah.

He is preceded in death by his father Mark Wellington of Clinton, Utah, his grandmother Jeannie Wellington of Bountiful, his grandparents Parry and Lawana Draper of Midvale.

Viewing will be held at Memorial Lake Hills 10055 South State, Sandy Utah from 1:00-2:00. Private services will be from 2:00-3:00 and can be viewed live stream. Internment will be at Memorial Lake Hills Cemetery 10055 South State Street, Sandy, Utah. Masks and social distancing are required. For streaming instructions please go to MemorialUtah.com

Services

Viewing

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary
10055 South State Street
Sandy, UT 84070

Funeral Service

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary
10055 South State Street
Sandy, UT 84070

Services Handled By

Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary & Cemetery
10055 S State Street
Sandy, UT

Life Story Info

Post Date

Feb 15, 2021

Personal Info

Age

29
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Guestbook

So very sorry for your loss. Uncle Nick & Aunt Nola

Nick&Nola Falcone , SLC, UT, US Feb 20, 2021

Dear Little Tawny, how my heart aches for your loss. He was a good looking boy and I am sure that his grandmother Lawana and grandfather Parry are looking over him now. Certainly they will watch over him and help him until your family is reunited again. We all love you so much. I told my son Grant, and and he said, you mean that cousin that stayed with us with those pretty blue eyes? We all love you. Let me help you if I can.

Aunt Margaret

Margaret Brough , Kaysville, UT, US Feb 20, 2021

Steven and I originally started dating in 8th grade and were together through the end of highschool. Highschool sweethearts at its best. He was the best friend and boyfriend. He was my rock for so long. I am so sorry for your loss. I will never stop loving him. If there’s anything I can do please call me 512-815-5929.

Jordan Dunn

Jordan Feb 17, 2021

Adam, I cannot even imagine the heartache and grief you are going through at this time, but please remember that you are not alone, and have support for whatever you need. Please remember all of the joyful times, and reach out if you need to. We are here for you! Shari

SHARI , wvc, UT, US Feb 16, 2021

I'm incredibly grateful and lucky to have had the chance to be his friend. Tawney and Gary, I'm so very sorry for your loss. He was wild, hilarious, and deeply kind in a way I've never seen in someone before. I wish I could thank him now for how and who he was.

Jeannette Mikkelsom , West Valley, UT, US Feb 15, 2021

To Tawney and Gary,

My heartfelt thoughts are with you at this very sad time. Steven seemed to have so much talent and very handsome as well.

I'm here for you if I can be of any help.

With Sympathy, Kelly - Beaver Dam, AZ

Kelly Cauey , Littlefield, AZ, US Feb 15, 2021

I was absolutely shocked to hear this. In Jr. High him, me, a few friends, and Yoshi used to spend our lunch in a teachers classroom together just hanging out and having fun. He was an amazing friend to have, he is and will be missed.

Miranda Gustavson , Brookfield , IL, US Feb 15, 2021

Steven could always make me laugh. The funny voices, faces, and things he did would lift up my heart and smile

Alexander Grant Clawson Feb 15, 2021

I'm so sad to hear this. Steven was an amazing person. I loved working with him on the Spartan Vision team in high school. He included me in a few of his projects and I am so grateful to have been a part of his creative process. He will be greatly missed. Sending lots of love to his family and friends. ❤️

Kristy Jenco Feb 15, 2021

Timeline


  • 2000
  • Sep 19, 2009

    Homecoming - sorry to anyone cut out, I don’t have the original.

  • 2010
  • 2010

  • 2010

  • Jul 8, 2012

  • Jul 8, 2012

    It was the week of the 4th of July in 2012. I had saved some money to buy a lot of good fireworks to light with a group of friends. Steven there in the photo with long hair came to join us. It was my last real memory of Steven.

  • Oct 2014

    All I can do is say how great Steven was, he had a big heart. I remember we would talk about so many thought provoking things. On this particular day we were just walking around a store when we noticed we had very similar outfits and we were "cool cats"

  • 2020
  • Feb 16, 2021

    I will remember watching Steven checking his car, taking his long walks, looking deep in thought with his striking black hair and beautiful blue eyes. When I spoke to him, he was so polite. There is a special place in heaven for angels like your son.