Jay Francis Facer passed away peacefully on January 8, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 85. He was born January 1, 1934 in Malad City, Idaho, to Francis Marion and Vila Bell Facer and was the first baby born that year in southern Idaho.
He attended school and worked on many farms of the Malad valley. He attended Utah State University, studying Animal Husbandry and Accounting. He served an LDS mission to the Hawaiian Islands where he developed a life-long love for the Hawaiian people. Soon thereafter he enlisted in the US Army, an experience that took him to Germany and gave him a taste of travel to spectacular places throughout Western Europe.
He met Barbara Gurney, the love of his life, at a Saturday night Stake Dance. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple by LeGrand Richards and recently celebrated their 57th anniversary. He worked in the banking industry for The Lockhart Company and later Zions Bancorporation for more than 35 years.
Jay and Barbara served missions together in Philadelphia, PA, and Salt Lake Inner City.
Dad enjoyed being outdoors, where he loved gardening, fishing, camping, and attending BYU football games. He had season tickets to BYU football for nearly 30 years, even as all of his sons attended the University of Utah. Some of the best memories we have with Dad are of fishing trips to Deer Creek, camping and backpacking in the Uintas, and long drives to California and to visit relatives in Idaho and Canada.
He taught his sons to work through a family garden grown in a vacant half acre in the neighborhood and many Saturday projects. Dad enjoyed physical labor. He was always humming or whistling as he hoed weeds or painted a room.
Dad was a great example of serving our Savior Jesus Christ. We watched him magnify the many church callings he accepted during his life including bishop, as a counselor in the stake presidency, and as a temple worker. He never said "no" to an opportunity to serve and worked to instill that attitude in his sons. He was a great example of faith, service, integrity, and love for everyone.
Dad had a way with people. He could talk to anyone and was able to find common ground with strangers wherever he went. He was a cherished part of our family and will be sorely missed!
Jay is survived by his wife and sons Kim (Christie) Midway, Mike (Carolyn) Kaysville, Gary (Kelly) Kaysville, David (Jeniel) Spanish Fork, 15 grandchildren, 2.5 great-grandchildren, siblings Maxine Bodily (Richard), Sheila Clark and sisters-in-law Nancy Facer and Sandy Facer. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Melvin Facer, Reed Facer, and brother-in-law Ralph Clark.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at the Little Cottonwood 9th Ward building at 1160 East Vine Street, SLC, UT. A viewing will be held at the church building from 6 to 8pm on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning from 10:30 to 11:30am. Interment will be in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of the Beehive Homes of Salt Lake and the many hospice care professionals for their kind and compassionate care. Online condolences can be found at Larkinmortuary.com.
"Death is not a failure of medical science, prayers, or priesthood blessings, but a final healing by a loving Heavenly Father!" (Author unknown)
