Kennith Lowell Fawson Sr.

Kennith Lowell Fawson, Sr., our beloved father, brother, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday December 3rd, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His life motto was Love is the greatest of all and this legacy of love and unity lives on in his family.

He was born September 28, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Paul Purdy Fawson and Lu Ratcliffe Clark. He married his sweetheart, Janet Patricia Patterson on January 12, 1956, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

He was raised in Salt Lake City, graduated from East High, and at the age of 19 he served a mission for the LDS Church in the Eastern States Mission. He was honored to have his uncle “Rube” (J. Rueben Clark) speak at his mission farewell. He loved his mission and was able to perform, as a missionary, in the Hill Cumorah Pageant and give the weekly radio broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word because of his amazing voice. He loved to share his testimony of Jesus Christ and continued that service with his family.  Upon returning from his mission, he was drafted into the Korean War. He served in the demilitarized zone in Korea and often shared this experience with his kids and grandkids. He was President of LDS Business College at the time he met his wife, Janet Patricia Patterson. He later graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Speech and Communication. He served faithfully in his church callings throughout his life, including President of the Quorum of the Seventy in the Cottonwood Stake, and as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple for over 25 years. He was active in civic affairs and ran for government office. He loved this country. His professional career included a lifelong commitment to impacting children through his noble career as a public educator.  He taught over 900 children in his 30 year career. He was known for his hard work, his commitment to family and his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a wonderful ceramicist and each one of his posterity has something personally made by him. He was also a horticulturalist and kept an enviable yard with blooming flowers year round.

His greatest accomplishment in life was as a husband and father to his 13 children.

Endearing Grandpa Quotes: “Be good be Happy, because if you’re good you’re always happy. It’s a great life if you don’t weaken. Every day is the same. At Ease, Every day above ground is a good day. Love is the greatest of all!”

He is survived by 12 of his 13 children. Kennith (Zenaida) Fawson Jr., David (Linda) Fawson, Patty (Dave) Williamsn, Debbie (Steve) Wayman, Shawndra (Scott) Gwilliam, Mark (Michelle) Fawson, Kristine (Jason) Wilkins, Janet (Steve) Draper, James (Keri) Fawson, John (Monica) Fawson, Matthew (Kim) Fawson, and Jennifer Fawson. 36 Grandchildren and 54 Greatgrandchildren (with 6 on the way).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Patricia Patterson Fawson, and son, Joseph Kevin Fawson.

Viewing will be held from 1-1:45pm followed by the funeral from 2:00-3:00pm Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 East 7800 South. Cottonwood Heights. Interment will follow at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.