Lynn Francis Laws

November 13, 1948 ~ April 1, 2019
Lynn Francis Laws, of Blanding, passed away at the age of 70 on April 1, 2019.
We are pretty sure he chose that day, April Fool’s Day, because he was a prankster and storyteller.
After a short four-month battle with liver cancer, Lynn died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.
He leaves behind his wife, five children, his siblings, countless lives touched on and off the mission field, and the Pepsi company, which will undoubtedly feel his absence in their revenue this year.
Lynn was born in Monticello, UT on November 13 – the same day the prototype of the Jeep featuring four-wheel drive was submitted to the U.S. Army for approval.
This clearly foreshadowed his future position as a Jeep Jamboree Trail Guide and Jeep owner.
Lynn’s life was centered around his family, hard work, telling (some very funny, others inappropriate) jokes and stories, and the church.
Lynn met Lorraine Kay Ludwig in December of 1971 during her senior year in high school after she moved to Blanding with her aunt.
Her aunt was not only one of his teachers, but the one who suspended him from her class.
Dating his teacher’s niece would have been a typical prank for Lynn, but her beauty caught his attention, and they were engaged six weeks later.
Lynn married Lorraine on June 24, 1972 in Bend, OR.
Lynn did appreciate that he could now tell his teacher she’d never get rid of him.
Lynn’s work ethic was defined on the farm in Mustang and shaped by the multiple jobs he held to support his family: driving a tractor, working at a gas station, construction crew, Operating Engineer, Umetco Minerals mill, San Juan County Road Foreman, and later Superintendent.
He served two missions, one in the eastern United States, the other in the Philippines.
He held multiple positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to include but not limited to: Sunday School teacher, Secretary of the Young Men, Branch President of White Mesa, Stake Mission President, and member of the High Counsel.
He also taught the Temple Preparatory and Genealogy classes and served many stake missions.
He, his entertaining stories, and his wise counsel will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but especially those he is survived by, including his wife and best friend, Lorraine Ludwig Laws; children Scott (Alexa), Chad (Calista), Jamie (Laurie), Nick, and Sara, grandchildren Ashlie, Jeff (Oshla), Kaitlin, Tanner, Jason, Mekiella, Karl, Alexa Jody, Jayla, Madisyn, Dalton, Andrew, Chance, Brooklynn, Kaydee, and Liam, great-granddaughter London (Jeff and Oshla), and siblings Melvin (Leila), Kelley (Terri), Retta, Carolyn (Bill Castagno), and Jean (Mike Pehrson).
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Wilbur and Wanda Laws, sons Jeffrey and Jody, granddaughter Beverly (Jamie and Laurie), brothers Curtis and James Palmer; sisters Kay (Orlo, deceased) and Sandra Jackson, and brother-in-law, Dee Hall (Retta).
Services were held Tuesday, April 9, at the Blanding Stake Center. Interment was at the Blanding Cemetery.