Harold Fazekas Wilkinson

1930 ~ 2022

Obituary Photo for Harold Fazekas Wilkinson < >

Harold Fazekas Wilkinson, age 92, passed away peacefully at home in Syracuse, Utah, on September 16, 2022, surrounded by family on both sides of the veil. He was born June 4, 1930, in Sacramento, California, to Gerald Wells Wilkinson and Katherine Fazekas Wilkinson. He learned the value of hard work at a young age, working around the home. At the age of 12, he started working in the family business, Wilkinson Tire Service. Harold served a mission in the Northern States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1950-1952. He attended Sacramento City College and Brigham Young University. He served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 where he taught auto mechanics.

Harold married his eternal sweetheart, Marilyn Clements, in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 22, 1955. They lived in the Sacramento area until 1974 when they moved to Sandy, Utah where they spent the next 48 years. They were blessed with three daughters and one son, all of whom were proud to call him “dad.” He passively did hobbies but actively did family, focusing his energy on what he valued most, which was his family.

He had a lifelong love of cars, starting at a very young age, and built cars and designed tires to be used for racing. He traveled the nation for his job, visited all 50 states, and drove approximately two million miles in his lifetime. Harold was an inventor at heart and had a gift for taking an idea and making it work. He was good with his hands and could fix anything. Harold had a great sense of humor and was king of “dad jokes” and puns. He had a cheerful heart, a calming influence, and never complained about anything. He was a man of faith, family, service, integrity, wit, and wisdom.

He loved every child he ever met, and each grandchild and great-grandchild felt like they were his favorite. He was known to generations as the “Candy Man” and in his later years was proud to be a crossing guard for Sandy City for two decades. To say that he loved kids is an understatement; he was a father figure to everyone – neighbor children, nieces and nephews, school children, and every child he ever met. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including Cub Master, Young Men leader, Bishopric Counselor, High Councilor, and especially loved working with the youth. We have lost track of how many Girls’ Camps he attended as Camp Daddy, and did we mention he loved kids?

Harold is survived by his wife, Marilyn Clements Wilkinson; children, Katherine and John Hall; Kari Boyd; Brian and Kimberly Wilkinson; and Lynn Wilkinson; 13 favorite grandchildren, 29 favorite great-grandchildren (so far), one favorite great-great-grandchild (so far); and his brother, Keith Wilkinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 24th at 11:00 am at the Alta Heights Ward, 1475 E. 8600 S., Sandy. Viewings will be held Friday, September 23rd from 6 to 8 pm and before the funeral on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 am at the church. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy; funeral arrangements by Larkin Mortuary. The family would like to thank the staff of Inspiration Home Health and Hospice, especially Simon and Katie, for their genuine, loving service.


Guestbook/Condolences

Harold truly had a love of kids and left a mark on the many he met. I had several encounters with him in his position as a crossing guard and will always remember his smile and jokes every time I saw him.


- Mitch Anderson

What a beautiful tribute to an amazing man! We loved Harold so much. His huge heart served so many. I hope he can rest for a short time before his next calling. I know he's needed there. May your sweet family be comforted. Love you all. John and Kathy Tanner ♥


- Kathy Tanner

Dear Marilyn & Family,
Debbie and I send our condolences and sympathy. We have warm and tender memories of you and Harold and your family. Even though our paths haven't crossed as often as they used to, we still treasure the kindness and love you have shared with us and with many others. We remember well receiving from Harold an occasional hand shake with a Life Saver in the middle of it.
With love,
Jerry and Debbie Black


- Jerry and Debbie Black

Thinking of you. Love you. Harold is a heat man.


- BoarDed Jensen

We so enjoyed reading Uncle Harold’s obituary. Talk about making us laugh and cry! Uncle Harold was the kind of man I wish more people aspired to. He is missed and loved.


- Rebecca Clements