Randall Romrell

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Randall Lee Romrell, passed away peacefully on September 4th, encircled in love by his wife and five children, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Randy was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2015. He continued to enjoy several years of excellent health but this summer he developed a series of complications that culminated with an extensive stroke, thought to be related to a rare sinus infection.

Randy was born on December 8, 1944 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. He was the fourth child of Vera Josephine Romrell and Earl Burbank Romrell. When he was four years old his family moved to Pocatello, Idaho. There, he enjoyed playing with his dog and climbing trees on the West Pocatello Stake Farm, which his father managed for a few years. His family then moved to Tyhee, also in Pocatello. In junior high he was the editor-in-chief of the first school newspaper and played the French horn in the school band. Deciding at an early age that he wanted to become an attorney, he spent his high school years developing his skills in Speech and Debate.

Randy balanced his academic pursuits with religious opportunities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He cultivated a life-long love for missionary work as he often accompanied and became friends with missionaries assigned to his area. Eventually, Randy became a traveling youth missionary for his stake and would go on to serve a full-time mission in Brazil from 1964 to 1966. At the end of his mission he attended the meeting in Sao Paulo, where the first stake in South America was organized.

When he returned from his mission he attended Idaho State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and served as chapter president of Sigma Gamma Chi, the LDS fraternity. During this time, he also joined the Army Reserve and became a medic.

In 1973, Randy graduated from the University of Utah Law School and after a diligent pursuit, finally succeeded in marrying the love of his life, Lou Ellen Poulsen in the Salt Lake Temple. During his legal career he worked for Nielsen, Conder, Hansen, and Henriod Law Firm, Beehive International, Moyle and Draper Law Firm, Huntsman Chemical Corporation, and Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah. He also enjoyed being associate editor of the Utah Bar Journal, and for many years was in charge of selecting its cover photo.

Randy loved the Savior and found joy in serving Him through callings in the church which included time as a counselor in a university branch, counselor in a elders quorum presidency, counselor in a ward bishopric, and bishop of the East Millcreek 2nd Ward. He also loved the time he spent as national president of Sigma Gamma Chi, the LDS church fraternity. Together he and Lou Ellen served in the Brazil Cuiaba Mission from 2014 to 2016. They also served for a year as BYU Pathway English Connect3 missionaries.

His desire to live with an eternal perspective and to remember the Savior shaped all aspects of his life including nutrition and exercise, spending time with his family, reading The Book of Mormon and other good books, and even influenced his work to take care of his yard. Through a Christlike love, he was a lifter and builder, and he taught true principles relentlessly. He had a wonderful smile which radiated his genuine love and acceptance for all of those with whom he interacted.

He is survived by his eternal companion Lou Ellen, his children, Natalie Jennings (Scott), Melissa Jensen (Jeremy), Brian Romrell (Janielle), Craig Romrell (Haylee), Evan Romrell (Emily), twenty-two grandchildren, his sister Gaye Griffeth (Steve), his brothers, Larry Romrell (Cheryl) and Glyn Kit Romrell.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Friday, September 9 at the East Mill Creek Second Ward, 3750 S. Hillside Lane (about 2550 East), Salt Lake City, Utah. Family and friends will meet Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the same location, and a viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 am on Friday prior to the services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

The funeral service will also be shared live via zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96599673296#success