Lynn Kimball Jones Backman

Lynn Kimball Jones Backman—loving wife, mother, Grammy, sister, aunt, and a kind, loving soul—completed her life journey and returned to her heavenly home in the early morning of February 5, 2026. She was able to visit with each of her family members in the days preceding her passing. Her death was the tender end of a lengthy, debilitating journey with dementia.

Lynn was born on March 19, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Valden Kimball and Gwendolyn Hale. Born into a family with deep roots, she cultivated a lifelong love of creativity, faith, and education.

She attended East High in Salt Lake City, where she was well-liked and developed lifelong friendships. She was involved in many school activities, including student government and serving as head cheerleader in her senior year. Fun fact: In 1961, Lynn was Junior Prom Queen and Jim Backman was Junior Prom King. They shared an easy and joyful companionship, formulating a friendship that would eventually blossom into love when they became reacquainted many years later.

Lynn subsequently attended the University of Utah, receiving a Fine Arts degree in 1967. In addition to her scholastic involvement, she was a U. of U. cheerleader for two years and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After graduation, her first art-related job was with the Department of Education, where she created and illustrated training materials for the Utah school system.

In 1968, Lynn married Brent Jones; their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They shared 31 wonderful years together and raised three children. In 1970, Brent was transferred with Amoco Oil to Kansas City, Kansas. There, they developed many friendships and Lynn created her own company, Artist in Residence, doing freelance work for various clients.

In 1988 when Brent's job moved the family to Des Moines, Iowa, Lynn balanced family life with a growing professional career as a graphic designer. She found great fulfillment working at Meredith Corporation, publisher of Better Homes & Gardens and Ladies' Home Journal. She designed promotional materials for craft kits, books, and club offerings, bringing creativity and care to work that reached households nationwide.

In 1996 they moved back to Salt Lake City to be close to family, but Brent passed away unexpectedly in January 1999. In 2001, after a few lonely years, Lynn reconnected with her dear friend, Jim Backman, at a high school reunion planning meeting. They married later that year with the blessing of their combined nine children and a foster son from the Czech Republic. Lynn and Jim shared 24 wonderful years together, traveling the globe, visiting family in numerous locations abroad, serving as ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple, serving as senior missionaries in England, and enjoying each other’s companionship. They were pleased to serve in one of the choirs for the Draper Temple dedication. They built a beautiful home in Draper’s Village on the Green where they loved their neighbors and their South Mountain 8th Ward for 20 years. Jim has been Lynn’s loving caregiver for the last several years. They were active in many community groups, such as the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, where they celebrated their shared love of heritage. Lynn was a descendant of pioneer leaders Heber C. Kimball and Jonathan Hale; the two families’ histories were famously linked at Winter Quarters in 1846 and 1847 when Heber and his wife Vilate took care of the orphaned Hale children and brought them to Utah. Almost 100 years later, Lynn’s parents (a Kimball and a Hale) joined these families through their marriage.

Lynn was a gifted artist, best known for her large abstract paintings filled with vivid color, energy, and thoughtful composition. She won "Best of Show" at a 2008 exhibition sponsored by the Intermountain Society of Artists in Salt Lake City. Her artwork now hangs in the homes of her children, stepchildren, and grandchildren. In later years, she enjoyed still life, plein air outdoor painting, and home portraits, cherishing her friendships within the art community.

Lynn will be remembered for her warm smile, kindness, and genuine love for others. She treated everyone as family and never spoke unkindly of anyone. She loved color, beauty, and presenting herself with grace. Whether as a cheerleader at East High or the University of Utah, she maintained a joyful spirit that will be deeply missed.

Lynn is survived by her husband, Jim Backman; her children, Heather Steed (Jason), David Jones and family, and Brinly Nearon (James); and her grandchildren, Savannah, Ren, Erin, and Gavin Steed, and Emily, Matthew, Christopher, and Ashley Nearon. She is also survived by her stepchildren: James Backman (Cindy), David Backman (Myriam), Jonathan Backman (Natalie), Stephen Backman (Claudia), Heidi Phelps (Darin), Joseph Backman (Heather); and a foster son, Martin Navratil (Kimberly) and their respective 24 children and 3 granddaughters. Lynn is also survived by her sister, Jean Scothorne (Doug, deceased), and her brother Kirby Kimball (Nena). Lynn was preceded in death by her husband, David Brent Jones; her parents, Valden and Gwen; and her brothers, Delmar and Lyle Kimball.

With sincere admiration, the family thanks Lizzie Garcia and Veronica Friese with Independence Hospice for their exceptional care. Lynn and Jim also cherished the many new friends they have made at the Summit Vista retirement community in Taylorsville.

Service Information: Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel adjacent to the Draper Temple (1911 E Gray Fox Drive, Draper, UT 84020). For those unable to attend in person, the funeral will be available on Zoom at LarkinMortuary.com

Viewings:

· Tuesday Evening: February 10, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the chapel.

· Wednesday Morning: February 11, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

People are welcome to send send flowers, but if they prefer, they may send a donation honoring Lynn to The Church Humanitarian Aid Fund (In Lieu Link ), or any other humanitarian aid fund of their choice.

To view a recording of Lynn's service, please click on the blue tab above that says "Watch Services".