John Harold Excell

John Harold Excell passed away peacefully October 20, 2011. He was born December 29, 1928 in Panquitch, Utah to John Edward and Hortense McEwen Excell. He married Ramona Farnsworth on June 12, 1959 and became a proud father of a little girl, Laurie, on June 9, 1960.

Harold grew up in Springdale, Utah where he developed a lifelong love of red rock country. He later moved to Ogden, Utah where he graduated from Ogden High School. He also attended the University of Utah and BYU. Harold was called to serve an LDS mission in Argentina and later served in the US Army in the Korean War as both an official army photographer and in the Counter Intelligence division. He spent his entire work career in the photographic industry starting with Standard Optical in Ogden, Utah and then spent five years at Ecker's in Salt Lake before going to work at Inkley's in Salt Lake where he worked for thirty years before retiring. Harold was responsible for starting the portrait and wedding business that Inkley's became well known for and had become the Director of Photography before his retirement. It's no wonder he earned the nickname of Mr. Photography in Salt Lake. His passion for photography overflowed into his personal life where he and his wife and daughter all enjoyed a common bond. Harold won many awards for his excellence in photography and shared his knowledge with others by teaching night courses at the Salt Lake Art Center.

After his retirement he and his wife traveled around the US in their trusty, RV, Jamie sharing many wonderful adventures together. While he is no longer with us in body, he will live on in his photographs and the hearts of the many people he touched over the years.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Grant and his sister Dorothy Platt. He is survived by his wife Ramona, his daughter Laurie and her husband Frank Lohr.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 24, 2011 at 12 Noon at the LDS East Millcreek Seventh Ward, 3408 S Celeste Way (3120 E). Viewings will be held Sunday evening at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S 2300 E, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church Monday morning from 10:40 to 11:40 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East College Street (4580 South). Messages and tributes to the family can be posted at: www.holbrookmortuary.com