Elder J. Thomas Fyans was remembered May 22 as a gentle man of faith and humor committed to the gospel and the many he called family and friends.
An emeritus General Authority, Elder Fyans died May 18 in his Sandy, Utah, home just a day after celebrating his 90th birthday with his wife, Sister Helen Cook Fyans, his five daughters, sons-in-law, and many grandchildren.
In May 22 funeral services at the Sandy Utah Crescent North Stake Center, Elder Fyans was eulogized as a lifelong servant of God who looked for the best in all he encountered. A favorite saying of the Moreland, Idaho, native was included in the funeral program: "Treat a person as he is, and that is how he shall remain.... Treat a person as he ought to be, and that is what he will become."
President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, presided at the funeral and offered comforting words to Sister Fyans and other family members. Although Elder Fyans has left his mortal life, his spirit lives and remains close to those he loved most, President Packer said.
The apostle also read a letter addressed to Sister Fyans from the Church's First Presidency offering sympathy for her loss and praising Elder Fyans for his lifelong commitment to the establishment, growth and preaching of the gospel. Elder Fyans served for many years in leadership positions in the Church, ranging from General Authority to mission president and, after being named emeritus in 1989, as president of the St. George Utah Temple.
"Elder Fyans has returned home to a loving Father in Heaven," the letter read.
President Packer also invoked an apostolic blessing on Sister Fyans and her family that they would remain faithful and unified and one day rejoin their beloved husband, father and grandfather.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke of the "virtues, beauty and delight" of Elder Fyans life.
Paramount among Elder Fyans' many virtues, Elder Holland said, were his testimony, loyalty, conviction and witness "that this is the truth — this is the Church of Jesus Christ."
Now Elder Fyans leaves this life, taking with him those things he held most precious: his testimony, character and those sacred ordinances of the temple that will allow him to be with his family for eternity, Elder Holland said.
Each of Elder Fyans five daughters — Carole Nelson, Kathy Blair, Pat Streiff, Pam Delahunty and Suzanne Nance — offered a tribute to their father. They spoke of Elder Fyans humor, his faithful prayers and his unwavering support for their mother.
Thanks to his kind words and support, "we always felt we were so special," said Sister Blair.
Elder Fyans, they added, centered his life around the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Remarks were also offered by Branch President Jeffrey Welch, Elder Fyans' final priesthood leader at the care center where Elder Fyans lived shortly before his death. President Welch spoke of his appreciation for Elder Fyans, knowing that he was always included in his friend's daily prayers.
Elder Fyans was buried at Mountain View Memorial Estates in Sandy, Utah.
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
