Garold Seamons

Garold Stephen Seamons, lovingly known as Pops, Daddy, “Garlod”, and Pilgram, returned home to his Heavenly Father on February 14, 2026, in Murray, Utah, at the age of 82. His life was a testament of faith, duty, and devoted service to God, family, and country.

Garold was born on May 4, 1943, in Hyde Park, Utah. He grew up in the communities of Cache Valley and southern Idaho with his siblings (all now deceased), becoming an orphan by the age of eleven after the passing of both his parents. Out of these early hardships and with the help of kind people like Bishop Hyde, grew the deep roots of hard work, faith, resilience, and responsibility that defined his entire life. He later raised his family in Peoria, Illinois, and eventually made his home in Murray and Taylorsville, Utah, blessing every place he lived with his steady, stalwart example.

Garold was a compassionate husband, an inspired, hardworking father, and a kind and generous grandpa. He married his cherished eternal companion, Lana Marie Peterson Seamons in the Logan Utah Temple on Dec. 9, 1966, and together they formed a remarkable team—working side by side to support, nurture, and lead their family in faith. Even after Lana’s passing, Garold continued to speak in terms of “we”—“We love you,” “We know it will be ok”—because his heart remained knit to hers, and because his confidence in God’s promises was unshakable.

He is the beloved father of eight children: daughters Lori Rasmussen-deceased (Louie); Shauna Seamons; Cheri Davis, (Dixon); Charlene LaRocco, (Nate); Jill Hills, (Daniel); Mariann Milsaps; Janet Stewart, (Tom); and his son, Brett Seamons.

Garold dearly loved his many grandchildren-and the spouses of these grandchildren who he prayed for and loved as his own-and his great-grandchildren. His family will remember him as a steady, loving presence who delighted in gathering them together for big Sunday dinners, holidays filled with traditions, valentines and $2 bills, saving everything, hats, a handpicked rose from the garden, and countless small acts of service and love.

As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Garold willingly served in any and every way he was asked. His many callings included working on the welfare farm, serving as an ordinance worker in the temple, bishop, member of a stake presidency, ward mission leader, Boy Scout leader, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and many more. He prayed often and fervently, was always ready and worthy to give a priesthood blessing, and quietly ministered to countless people through meals, homemade treats, fruit baskets, poinsettias and amaryllis bulbs at Christmastime, and other thoughtful acts of service.

Garold’s testimony of Jesus Christ meant everything to him. His trust in the Lord was evident in all he did. The covenants he made and faithfully kept with the Lord guided him throughout his life. He loved the scriptures and the words of the prophets, and he was always eager to participate in Gospel Doctrine class—never shy to offer a comment, a thought, or a testimony. Scripture study was woven into his daily routine, a steady anchor in his walk with the Lord.

Garold’s warm smile could light up a room, and when he laughed, he laughed hard—the kind of laugh that shook his shoulders, brought tears to his eyes, and nearly stopped his breathing. He had a witty sense of humor and loved a good joke, and his quick one-liners and playful comments kept his family smiling right alongside him. Randomly breaking out into song about “the sun’ll come out tomorrow” or “4 wheels on my wagon” were regular occurrences as he tried to encourage and cheer people on.

Garold was also a devoted missionary. He served a full-time mission in Australia as a young man, and later, with his beloved wife Lana, as Church-service missionaries in downtown Salt Lake City, and Family Night Coordinator at the Utah State Prison and in the Family Search department. Even when Lana was no longer able to serve, he continued on, moving from one project to another, extending his mission again and again. He served in Family Search until just a month before his passing, quietly dedicating himself to gathering Israel on both sides of the veil.

Education was a vital part of Garold and Lana’s family. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from Brigham Young University.

Garold was a man who loved to work with his hands. An avid gardener, he could make anything grow—and grow BIG. He loved being outdoors, shooting guns, fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, and spending time in the mountains. He was also a skilled woodworker, creating rocking horses, family kitchen tables, shelves, forts, barns, sheds, footstools, frames, lamps, and more. If he saw something he liked, he often wanted to figure out how to make it himself.

He enjoyed cooking and baking and was famous for finding recipes online, scribbling them onto Post-it notes, tweaking them, and trying them out. Sometimes he’d simply create something new from scratch. He was a master of grocery ads and coupons, always searching out the best deals so he could feed and care for his family and others. A good buffet, chips, Twinkies, a bowl of ice cream in front of the TV at night, and his wife’s home cooking were among his simple earthly joys.

Garold loved and served his country. He served in the United States Army beginning in 1965, eventually achieving the rank of captain before being honorably discharged. He continued his civic service through his work in civil government, including working for the City of Peoria and later as a county assessor in Salt Lake County. He also volunteered in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, helping to coordinate and assign volunteers. He was involved in government rallies and faithfully exercised his right to vote. His duty to God, family, and country was not just an ideal; it was the way he lived.

Those who knew Garold will remember not just what he did, but what he said and how he made them feel. His oft-repeated phrases—“It will all work out,” “It’ll be ok,” and “Love you lots and lots”—were more than comforting words. They were expressions of his deep trust in a loving God who would, in His time and His way, make all things right. Garold guided his family with faith in God and, with Lana, created a home and legacy centered in Jesus Christ. Even in his grief after her passing, his confidence in the Lord remained: he knew it would be ok, because he knew God.

Garold’s life was one long, quiet sermon of discipleship. He trusted the Lord, followed Him, and pointed others—especially his children and grandchildren—to the Savior. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, hard work, courage, and love that will bless generations to come.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the meetinghouse located at 3676 West 4700 South, West Valley City, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service that morning at the same location starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place later that day at the Hyde Park Cemetery in Hyde Park, Utah.

Flowers may be sent to Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missionary fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In honor of Garold, his family invites you to serve someone in need or to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ. That is how he lived—and that is how he would want to be remembered.