Lynn Bird Evans

Lynn Bird Evans, 87, died peacefully in Salt Lake City, UT on November 8, 2009 in his sweetheart's arms.

He was born January 9, 1922 to Albert Ophir and Mary Elma Bird Evans in Tooele, UT. Raised on the family farm, he learned to love and work the land. His parents taught him to love reading and value education.

He graduated from Tooele High School and the University of Utah where he received Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Music, French, and Educational Administration.

On May 26, 1955, he married Georgia Kanell in the Salt Lake Temple and they shared a sweet and tender relationship that will last through the eternities. Together they created a welcoming home where talents were nurtured, encouraged, and celebrated; a home filled with music and love for their six daughters, and countless friends and neighbors.

A keyboardist extraordinaire, he loved performing in many jazz bands and singing in barbershop quartets for most of his life. He sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for over 25 years with his gorgeous wife; they traveled the world together with the choir. He also conducted the Sacre Dulce chorus for many years.

Lynn and Georgia also served together in the Salt Lake Temple for many years. Dad completed his first mission for the LDS Church in the French mission (then encompassing all of France, Belgium, Switzerland and more) from 1946-1949; he and Georgia later served two missions together, first in Ft Lauderdale and then in Brussels Belgium.

Dad provided countless year of service for the LDS Church in many positions, his favorites including the bishopric of the Sugarhouse Ward in his early married days and as a Gospel Doctrine teacher in Sunday School.

Lynn was a master teacher, with a sharp wit and a ready smile. He started his teaching career in Reno, Nevada where he taught vocal and instrumental music, as well as French. When he came back to Salt Lake he taught in the Salt Lake City Schools. He is fondly remembered by a generation of students as "Monsieur Evans" from his French program "Encore," broadcast by KUED to all 6th graders in the 1960s. He was a pioneer in the field of Instructional Media. He served 2 NDEA fellowships; one at Purdue University and another in southern France.

Dad's interests were varied and many, but his true passions were his family, his music, his students, his garden, a clever pun, and any crossword or jigsaw puzzle. His grandchildren will forever love and remember the "magic heart." Always soft and gentle, but with a firm hand and a loving heart, he was beloved of everyone who knew him.

Lynn is survived by his wife, his children Rochelle (Stephen) Enderton, Marylynn, Kristine, Julie (David) Fairbourn, and Angela (Richard) Evans, 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cathy, his parents, his three brothers Ophir Albert, Mark Floyd, and Edward Kent, and his sisters Julia and Dorothy. There is now a glorious reunion occurring.

The family especially wishes to thank mom for her tireless and loving care of dad; he knew he was cherished and loved. We also thank Caregivers Support Network for all their tender care and help.

There will be a viewing in the social room at Canyon Road Towers on 123 E 2nd Avenue, SLC on Thursday November 12 from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial services will be held Friday November 13 at 11:30 am at the Kenwood 1st Ward on 3080 South 1765 East with a viewing from 10 to 11 am. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery immediately following the service. See http://www.holbrookmortuary.com for more information. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the LDS Church Educational Perpetual Care Fund.