ST. GEORGE, Utah — Wendel Burt, who co-founded Burt Brothers Tire & Service in 1991, died unexpectedly April 26. He was 68.
Burt co-founded the family business with brother Ron Burt in Bountiful, Utah. The dealership, which says its the largest family-owned and operated tire and auto repair shop in the state, grew quickly and now includes 18 locations across the Wasatch Front and Southern Utah region.
The business gained a reputation for its customer service and community involvement.
"He was just a stand-up man," Jake Burt, Wendel's son and Burt Brothers vice president, said. "He always left you feeling better about yourself when you had an interaction with him.
" He just lived life to the fullest, he really did, and he left the world a way better place than he found it."
Jake Burt now co-owns and operates the business alongside his two brothers and two cousins following Wendel and Ron's retirement.
Wendel Burt would give the shirt off his back, sometimes literally, to someone in need, Jake Burt said. He never expected any recognition in return.
The family has been inundated with messages since news spread of his death, he said.
"I've gotten so many phone calls this week from people just saying 'You don't know me but I'll tell you what your dad did for me,'" he said.
Jake Burt heard from customers who, for example, when they needed four tires but could afford only two, would come pick up their car to find that Burt Brothers gave them the needed tires at no cost.
"Countless people have called me and told me that this week," Jake Burt said.
Wendel Burt passed that culture of service to the next generation early on. He reminded them to adhere to the Golden Rule of "treating people how you want to be treated. Even treat them better." Those customers you treat well will come back, Jake Burt said.
Wendel Burt's philosophy became a key tenant of the family business.
Wendel Burt started in the tire industry on the shop side, working for a Goodyear-owned tire shop in the 1980s. He soon realized that he was better at sales than mechanics and transitioned into that role, eventually moving on to management with David Early Tires, a Utah franchise. That's when Wendel recruited younger brother Ron Burt into the tire business.
The two worked well together, like "yin and yang," Jake Burt said.
After an arrangement with another business fell through, the Burt brothers secured a small loan from a local bank and opened a shop in Bountiful, Utah, with "next to nothing," Jake Burt said. "They were able to start an empire right there that quickly grew."
The younger generation grew up working in the family business. When the brothers retired, the five boys jointly took over.
In retirement, Wendel Burt embraced his love of adventure, camping and traveling the world seeing friends. He died doing what he loved, Jake Burt said.
"He always said 'let's keep smiling and make it happen.' Those words keep replaying in my mind," Jake Burt said.
Wendel Burt was born Sept. 1, 1954, in Spokane, Wash., and grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by four children — Jake (Aubry) Burt, Jenica (Josh) Love, Jeremy (Emily) Burt, and Jason (Stefanie) Burt — as well as three step-children — Alyssa Phillips (JT Yanni), Nick (Kim) Phillips, and Brittany Phillips with his wife Kerry Kastler. He and Kerry share 18 grandchildren.
Wendel Burt was a Bishop with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sandy, Utah, where he worked with the youth and served as a young men's leader.
Services are set for May 6 at 11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time; they will be live-streamed both on Zoom and by Russon Mortuary & Creamatory on their website and Facebook page.
Local services will be held in Sandy and at the Burt home in St. George, Utah.
The family has requested donations in Wendel Burt's memory to Make-A-Wish Utah in Murray, Utah. Donations can be made by mail or online at wish.org/utah. Donations are also requested for Conserve Southwest Utah in St. George, Utah.
