June 11, 1934-May 23, 2023
Dearly loved and loving dearly, Lynn Headman walked into eternity on May 23, 2023, at the age of 88 in St. George, Utah. He entered the world on June 11, 1934, born in the family home in Millcreek, Utah.
Following his oldest brother Gerald Melvin and sister Carma Rae, Lynn was the third of seven children born to Melvin Porter and Margaret Laura Winslow Headman.
Lynn’s early life was full of fun adventures with his siblings and cousins all living on Grandpa Headman’s farm. This homestead property featured tree huts and a fishing pond and was affectionately called “Paradise” by all the family. Lynn’s life was blessed with the strong, close family bonds forged by working hard, playing harder, camping together frequently and sharing lots of humor, and enjoying the excitement of each annual deer hunt.
At age 5, Lynn’s father Mel gave him a terrier puppy, and Lynn named it Ginger. A year later Lynn’s very young life was saved by Ginger’s love and instinctive rescue from the vicious attack of two large German Shepherd dogs.
Lynn attended William Penn Elementary School, Granite Junior High and Granite High School where he was known for his great smile and good looks. Lynn served a two-year mission in the Western States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved his mission, his companions and being a full-time representative of his Savior.
Dad loved sharing stories of his service in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington, as a Specialist 4 and an ordained minister for his army unit.
It was during his time in the Army, while attending the Seattle Fifth Ward with his Army buddies, that he met Blanche Burt. Blanche was seated on the stand and he immediately noticed “the girl in white.” It was love at first sight. They were married for time and eternity Feb. 5, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple, and soon settled in the same Millcreek area of his youth for the next ten years. During this time they happily welcomed a daughter Colette ReNae and a son Corey Lynn, to their family.
Lynn attended the University of Utah and obtained his real estate and general contractor licenses. He studied civil and structural engineering at Southwestern College. A job offer in 1968 took the family to Chula Vista, California. New friends, sunshine, beaches, and weekend trips visiting the California sites were enjoyed for six fun-filled years. After moving back to Utah, a building lot was purchased in Cottonwood Heights and Lynn personally designed and built a beautiful family home there.
Mom and Dad were serious square dancers, bowled on leagues and loved to vacation with family and friends. Lake Powell on the houseboat “Serendipity” made fun memories for grandkids, family and a couples’ group that had an annual trip for 12 years — hiking, fishing, playing games, waterskiing and just relaxing in the sun.
Lynn lost Blanche to lung disease on Jan. 20, 2004. After her death he wrote: “Every day is important. I have to so live that I will prove myself worthy of Blanche, my eternal companion.”
Lynn was a dedicated, faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He shared his testimony daily by his example of caring and loving everyone he met and served faithfully in his many Church callings. His legacy continues on as the family remembers and treasures his kind and happy smile and his unwavering devotion to friends and the Savior.
Dad enjoyed the game of golf and made tee times for his golf buddy group for over 25 years. His handwriting and calligraphy were beautiful. His artwork and painted rocks are treasures, and he shared with few his secret fishing hole in the Uintas. But serving others was always his favorite pastime.
In June 2005 Lynn married Cathryn Roundy and they enjoyed traveling and spending summers on the Oregon Coast. He cared for her until her death. He married Christine Penhallagon in May 2014 and together they served in the Utah St. George Mission. A highlight of their marriage was their trip to the Holy Land.
Grandpa Lynn loved, and was much loved by, Christine and Cathryn’s children and grandchildren.
Lynn is survived by his wife Christine; siblings Claron (Sandra), Kathleen, Cheryl, and David (Marie); children Colette (Randy) Moser and Corey (Kristine) Headman; five beloved grandchildren Chelsey, Malorie, Zachary, Tyler and Spencer; and 13 adorable great-grandchildren.
We will be listening, Dad, for your distinctive Headman “family whistle,” which always kept us from getting lost.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, June 1, at 3 p.m. at Elysian Gardens in Millcreek, Utah.