(Click here for a link to the Livestream for the funeral service)

Earl Ray Thomsen, our devoted husband, father, brother and teacher died Friday, Feb 26, 2021 following heart failure from complications relating to cancer, diabetes and kidney failure.

Earl was born April 6, 1945 to Ray and Florence Thomsen in Payson Utah.  He grew up and lived most of his life in Benjamin Utah where he learned early to work milking cows and thinning sugar beets.  He loved horses and rode often.  At age 19, Earl served an LDS mission to the Northern California Mission.  Upon returning home, he attended what is now Southern Utah University, where he met Joan Grimshaw of Enoch, Utah.  She became his wife on October 6, 1967 in the St. George Temple.  Earl finished his Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree at Utah State University graduating with honors.  In addition to his formal education, Earl gained a wealth of knowledge throughout his life working varied roles in farming, with the National Parks Service, at Geneva Steel, in construction and in cabinet making.

One of Earl’s great loves was teaching agriculture.  His career spanned over 30 years at Tooele, Spanish Fork, and Pineview High Schools.  Earl spent evenings and weekends supervising student agricultural projects; advising local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters; and coaching teams for livestock, soil, and leadership competitions. His program at Spanish Fork High School was among the first to use computers to train students on farm financial records and included greenhouses, a state-of-the art teaching laboratory, and a demonstration aquaculture facility.  His students have been recognized by the state and national FFA organizations. Many have gone on to become leaders in the food and fiber system.

Later in life, Earl and his sweetheart served LDS service missions to Winnipeg Canada and locally teaching English.  His favorite work, as an ordinance worker in the Provo and Payson temples, spans more than 20 years.  He was rarely without a calling and served faithfully in bishoprics and high councils, as a scout leader and as a sunbeam teacher.

Earl is best remembered for his testimony and humor, ready handsome smile and the perseverance, discipline, and patience with which he faced his many health challenges.

His children, Michael (Judith), Sam (Mika), Nathan (Melissa), Ben (Miranda) and Carrie (Christopher Randall) will miss the luxury of calling to ask him how to do just about anything.  They and his 19 grandchildren will always retain the way he made each of them feel like they were his favorite and the best things in his life.

He is survived by his loving wife Joan and his siblings Lynda Scott, Avis Burrows, Dee Thomsen and George Thomsen.  Please join us in celebrating his life on Thursday, March 4 at 6-8 pm (viewing) and Friday, March 5 at 9-10:45 am (viewing) and 11:00 am (service), all at the Benjamin LDS Church Building, 3238 West 7300 South Benjamin, UT.   Close friends and family are encouraged to attend.