Karl Edward Wesson, beloved husband, father and friend, joined family and loved ones in the next life on Tuesday January 9, 2024 after more than twenty years battling various types of cancer.  Karl exemplified remarkable faith and courage as he endured the difficulties of numerous medical treatments while continuing to love and care for those around him.

Karl was born September 30, 1945 in Tempe, Arizona to Howard Messenger Wesson and Beatrice Millie Huber. He was the youngest of two boys, with an older adopted brother (Tim) who preceded him in death.  Karl enjoyed a childhood filled with outdoor adventures in the irrigation canals and trees that lined the dirt road where three of his aunts, uncles and multiple cousins all lived next door to him and each other.

Karl graduated from Tempe High School with a scholarship to cosmetology school.  There he learned the art of styling hair and earned money to help support him on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Karl served for three years in the Rarotonga, Cook Island Mission where each day brought the challenge of finding or catching your own food and sharing testimony through service to the kind and loving people of the South Pacific.  Throughout his life, he continued to have a deep love for the Polynesian people.

After his mission, Karl graduated from Arizona State University with a business degree and then received a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts from Brigham Young University.  While at BYU, Karl participated with the Ballroom Dance team and Young Ambassadors but the highlight of his experience was being selected as a member of the International Folk Dance Team, first as a dancer and then as an instructor and tour manager under Mary Bee Jensen. It was also at BYU that Karl met his sweetheart (Brenda) and began their journey of fifty years together. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 20, 1974.  Karl and Brenda lived for 18 years in Orem, Utah and then moved to Salem, Utah where they had land to enjoy horses and gardening. Karl was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings.  His favorite opportunity was serving as an ordinance worker in the Payson Utah temple.

Karl combined his love for performing arts and hairstyling as he worked on numerous television and film projects, first at the Brigham Young Motion Picture Studio and then throughout the world as a member of the IATSE Hair Stylists Guild Local 706.  His favorite projects were historical period films or portrayals of the life of the Savior.  He received several Emmy Awards for his work on the television show Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and was nominated with his team for an Oscar Award.

Karl is survived by his wife, Brenda, and children Amy Wesson, Julie Needham (Kalani), Laura Wesson,  Brent Wesson (Helen) and Zoey Wesson, grandchildren Deacon Kinikini, Jada Kinikini and Sophia Wesson. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Jenny Lynn Wesson, a grandson, Karl, his parents and older brother.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST on Tuesday, January 16 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at 470 East Salem Canal Road, Salem, Utah.  A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. that morning.  Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah following the services.

Services will be livestreamed.  To view, please return to this memorial page on Tuesday morning, January 16, 2024, shortly before 11:00 a.m. and click on the link shown below:

Karl Edward Wesson Livestream Broadcast