For Utah, a pivotal change came in 1964, when Cal Rampton was elected governor of Utah, according to current Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

"All modern-day issues got their kick-off with Gov. Rampton - education, transportation, the economy, human services, travel and tourism," he said Friday during services for Rampton.

About 350 people attended the funeral for Utah's longest-serving governor, including Huntsman and two of the three surviving former governors: Olene Walker and Norm Bangerter, both Republicans. Former Gov. Mike Leavitt, now U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, was busy in Washington trying to work on a deal over a major child health care issue, his office said.

Many politicians, ranging from U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, to local politicians such as state Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, attended.

Also in attendance were Thomas S. Monson, the LDS Church's first counselor and Robert D. Hales, a member of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Rampton's son, Vince Rampton, told those gathered that "prayer was part of his daily routine," something few people knew about.

His daughter Janet Warburton and son Tony Rampton also spoke. All three said Rampton put his family first, even with the time demands of holding the highest public office in the state.

"His family came first, and we knew it," Tony Rampton said. "We also knew he was doing something of lasting significance."

Huntsman said the sweep of Rampton's legacy was reflected in the people who gathered to mourn him.

"The reach and friendship he had within this community, I can't help but think it's reciprocated today," Huntsman said, pointing to Rampton reaching across parties to invite him to speak at his funeral. The former governor had a "heavy hand" in planning the event, said LDS Bishop Mark Morris.

Longtime friend Jack Gallivan, former publisher of The Salt Lake Tribune, told the crowd that Rampton never lost his sense of humor, as illustrated by his last words to Gallivan: "Stay out of the pool halls."

"He lived the golden rule. He loved mankind not because he considered 'Love thy neighbor' a mandate, but because loving thy neighbor was a natural part of him," Gallivan said.

smcfarland@sltrib.com