Iris Phillips Tolley was born in Nephi, Utah, and even though she has traveled around the world, she has been a lifelong resident of Nephi and has always called this her home. She started attending the Ute Stampede at 2 months old and has never missed a performance. She was a member of the 1958 Ute Stampede Royalty.
Iris is mother to Gina Taylor of Santaquin, Utah, and Selena Carter of Nephi. She is grandmother to Dusty Oberg, Bodie Taylor, Travis Taylor, Sadie Taylor, Meagan Carter Stewart, Myranda Carter and Zachery Carter.
Iris was raised on a dairy farm in Nephi along with sister Patty, brother George and sister Dana. She is a graduate of Juab High School. She graduated from Utah Technical College in Diesel Mechanics. She is a journeyman diesel mechanic and became an instructor in diesel mechanics at Utah Technical College. She also worked for Intermountain Power Service Corporation during and after both unit startup phases in the maintenance. Iris is a retired CW4 in the Utah Army National Guard, with 30 years of military service. She is a graduate of numerous military training schools. She was the first woman to achieve the rank of Maintenance Warrant Officer in the U. S. Army.
She was an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Iris has been to Washington D.C. on three different occasions to lobby for more cancer research money and programs, she also was at Utah State Lobby Day at both the House and Senate floors. Bringing awareness to cancer related issues, she has been an inspiration and help to many who were faced with adversities, offering her strength and abundant energy. Iris has run 53 marathons. Iris was one of 5 women, world wide, to run a full marathon, 26.2 miles on all 7 continents, including Antarctica. She participated in the first historical sporting event on Antarctica and at that time set a world record. Iris has climbed all of the highest mountain peaks in Utah and surrounding states. She has competed in numerous triathalons, track and field events, cycling events and always encouraged others to do the same. Iris has done many things from the heart for people all over the world, but especially in Nephi.
Iris loves to see her children and grandchildren “be all that they can be.” She loves photography and has been on an African Photography Safari. She loves to take pictures. She loves animals and birds, but most of all, she loves and embraces life to the fullest, she loves all things of nature, this earth, and the many things that are here to be thankful for and enjoy. She has always proudly stood up when being recognized for her many accomplishments and announced to the world that she was proud to be an American from Nephi, Utah, USA. She never was expecting praise, but has received much self-satisfaction living her life in her own way.