Fernand Jacques Caumet, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Born in Metz, France on January 28, 1929, Fernand received most of his education at a Jesuit Catholic school in Perpignan, France; however, his studies came to an end when he refused to give up his Protestant Bible, a gift from his mother. He left the school and a short time later, enlisted in the military, where he trained as an electronics and radio specialist.
It was while serving in North Africa, that Fernand met his wife. Having been an only child, he considered himself blessed to have met and married Anne Antoinette Brignone, the youngest of nine children. The couple was married on July 10, 1951 in Grombalia, Tunisia. His military service often took him away from his wife and family as he fulfilled assignments in Indochina, North Africa, and Germany. In 1963, while living in Angers, France, the Caumet family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retiring from the military in 1969 at the rank of Sergeant major, Fernand accepted a position with the Church to teach in French Polynesia at the Mormon Primary School. There were many opportunities for Fernand to serve in the Church in Polynesia. He was a counselor in the Papeete Tahiti Stake and a member of the Bishopric in the French-speaking Tipaerui Ward. Between 1983 and 1990, Fernand served first in the temple presidency and then as president of the Papeete Tahiti Temple. While filling his calling as temple president, he was also area patriarch. This assignment took him to nearly every island in French Polynesia. After completing their time in Tahiti, Fernand and Anne immigrated to the United States and took up residency in Salt Lake City, where Fernand served for twelve years as a sealer in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Fernand is survived by his daughter Chantal Nivard (Dublin, Ireland), son Jacques (Sandra) (Papeete, Tahiti), grandchildren (Antoinette, Virginie, Jean-Christophe, Ludovic, and Stephanie); two great-granddaughters, one great grandson, and one great-great grandson. He was preceded in death by his wife Anne and their daughter Monique.
Fernand will be remembered by his friends and family as being an avid genealogist, a man of great discernment, and a faithful servant of the Lord. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Due to restrictions caused by Covid-19, Fernand’s life will be honored in a private family service.
Hello ,
my name is Roland ham radio (Radioamateur) of Tahiti
I knew Fernand 50 years ago and was very sorry
to learn of his departure to the world of Silent Key (as we say among ham radio ) a few months after that of his wife
all my condolences for his family
Roland
Bonjour
Je viens d’apprendre le décès de mon oncle et parrain Fernand , je présente ainsi que mon mari et mes enfants toutes nos condoléances à Chantal et Jacques.
On garde un très bon souvenir de Nana et Fernand. Ils vont rejoindre papa ( FH8CL pour les radio amateurs ) . C’est une grande tristesse après le décès il y a si peu de temps de Nana .
On vous embrasse.
Nicole
Toutes nos condoléances à la famille Caumet. Nos prières vous accompagne.
Raymond, Linda et les enfants.
Sincères condoléances à vous, je garde un très bon souvenir de Fernand, que notre Seigneur veille sur son âme
Sincères condoléances à la famille Caumet que nous aimons. Doux repos à toi frère Caumet et Bel Envol vers les cieux pour retrouver ta chère et tendre Anne.
Love you.
Juliana et toute la famille Faatahe
This is to two dear friends. Fernand and Anne Caumet, who dies a couple months apart. I was fortunate to be there home teacher for a few years and friends for longer. Fernand and Anne were the dearest and kindest people and the world will miss them greatly. I would visit them as often as I could just to hear Fernands incredible stories throughout his life. I always told him he could have written a book. I loved Anne because she knew more English than I knew French and somehow we still managed to understand each other and laugh and joke and we ended up having so many great visits together. I miss them dearly and my condolences to their family and close friends. I remember speaking one time to their daughter in Ireland (I do not know if she remembers that and I also got to hear the many incredible spiritual stories of his service to his church that took him around the world. I was fortunate to give several special priesthood blessings to Fernand in the LDS and IHC hospital when he was not doing so well. I did the same for Anne and it was my pleasure and a true blessing for me. Fernand and Anne. I could go on and on but please know how much I love you and I know how much you loved your family. I remember hearing stories about Jacque in Tahiti and what a wonderful son he was as were all their kids. They told me great stories about all their children and extended family. A special thank you to Paulette who was always a dear friend to Anne whom I was able to meet several times. She was a great help to these two amazing people. You will be missed, thank you for your service to France to many countries throughout the world as well as the church. Love and miss you both.
Je suis très triste d'apprendre seulement ce mois de Mars le décès de Fernand Caumet. J'étais militaire à Tahiti et c'est à Tahiti que je me suis fait baptiser dans l'Eglise de JC des Saints des Derniers Jours. J'ai fait partie de sa paroisse de Tipaerui en tant que tout jeune membre. Frère Caumet m'a conféré la Prétrise de Melchizedeck en 1974.
Fernand Caumet a surtout fait de grandes choses pour l'Eglise avec un investissement sans faille, il est un exemple
J'ai eu le plaisir de l'appeler il y a environ trois ans, c'est un très bon souvenir, je suis content de l'avoir fait.
Toutes mes condoléances pour votre famille.
