F. Kennard Barson

F. Kennard Barson, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 in Murray, Utah, due to an unfortunate fall very early that morning. We take great comfort knowing he was able to reunite with his eternal companion, Margie, on Valentines Day. He had been suffering with many health issues the past couple years that limited what he could do. We are so grateful he is finally free of all earthly pains, sorrows and suffering.

Farren Kennard Barson was born on April 27, 1938 in Logan, Utah, to Joanna Kennard and Hyrum John Barson. He has four sisters and two brothers. He was the third of seven children, the oldest son. He spent his early years growing up on the family farm, where he inherited his love for soil and growing things. He has always been a farmer at heart, just ask his six children who spent their young lives in his field! When he was eight years old, his family moved to California, where he quickly learned to love the beach. He lettered in water polo and was a lifeguard for
many years. His love for singing developed as his family gathered around together and sang. He played the trombone and ukulele, and continued his love of singing until the very end. He loved singing with dear friends in quartets and choirs. He loved Broadway shows and performed in many plays and musicals.

Ken was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many capacities and was an extraordinary missionary when he served two years in England. Prior to his mission, he attended Brigham Young University where he met his future bride, Margie Ann Mefford. They married six weeks after his return in the Los Angeles temple in California on September 17, 1960. Ken and Margie continued their education until he was drafted into the US Army in September 1961. He was honorably discharged in June 1963, allowing him to finish his schooling and graduate from BYU in 1964. They raised six children in Salt Lake City and were married for 55 years before Margie passed away in 2015. After Margie's passing, he became very active in the LDS singles communities. He loved dancing, attending firesides and socializing, sometimes 4-5 times a week.

Ken had an extremely strong work ethic. He taught his children to work hard when they were young. They spent a lot of time together in the yard and garden as they were growing up. Ken was a Master Gardener and took pride in his many fruit and nut trees, berries and vegetables. He
loved sharing his harvest with everyone. He called his yard his "Garden of Eden" and spent all his time there while his body was physically able. He was especially proud of his raspberries and his family loved his grape juice.

Ken was in the life insurance business for most of his professional career. That gave him the opportunity to take his family on many amazing and educational trips across the United States as he attended his business meetings. He had converted an old retired school bus into a motorhome,
allowing him to travel with all his children, as well as others who came along. The family traveled all over the United States many times, from the West to East coasts, Washington to Mexico City, Montreal, Canada, to the Florida Keys. The family was gone for six weeks at a time. They caught crabs on the Oregon Coast, dove for clams and picked fresh blueberries at Cape Cod, and shared possessions with poor families in Mexico City. But the family's most favorite family vacations were on the houseboat at Lake Powell!

He also loved to travel overseas. He was quite the explorer and traveled all over the world with his family. In his later years, he traveled with just a backpack on his back and some amazing friends! Some of his adventures took him to the Orient, including Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Iceland, Greenland, Ireland, China, Russia, France, Israel, several countries in Africa, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii.

He was a big game hunter, mostly for the purpose of feeding his family. The family enjoyed this time together camping and hunting deer, elk, antelope, even bison. These trips were also taken in the school bus.

Ken is survived by his children Tammy (Randy) Munn of Prosser, WA, Shellie Barson of Salt Lake City, UT, Brad Barson of Enoch, UT, Stacie Campbell of Leeds, UT, Brian (Shirley) Barson of Seward, Alaska and Kimberly (Cliff) Gibson of Sandy, UT, 22 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, sister Carol Gardner of Mesa, AZ, brother Clyde (Jeanette) Barson of Springville, UT, brother Duane (Dana) Barson of Orem, UT, and sister Fran (Mark) Anderson of Lindon, UT.  Ken is preceded in death by his wife, Margie Ann Mefford Barson, his parents, Joanna Kennard Barson and Hyrum John Barson, and two sisters, Vaudis Davis and LaFae Dahl. Ken's parents passed away when he was young, so we are sure he had a wonderful reunion with all of his loved ones who welcomed him home with open arms.

Ken's children and grandchildren, amazing siblings, and ward family were what helped get him through the past couple years. We wish to thank all those who were there for him. You meant the world to him. Thank you!

There will be a viewing for Ken on Monday evening, February 20, 2023, from 6-8 pm, and Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023, from 9-10:30 am. The Funeral will follow at 11 am-12 pm. Please note that these services will be held at the Cottonwood Stake Center, not Ken's usual ward building. The address is 1830 East 6400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84121. Ken will be buried at the Clarkston Cemetery, near Logan, following the
Funeral, around 3:30 pm.