Bryce J Fairbanks

Dr. Bryce Fairbanks lived a life to be remembered fondly. A big man with an even bigger heart, Dr. Fairbanks found himself in storied moments the world over in his life. A healer, a father, a husband, he lived with a kindness and intelligence that garnered him the respect and love of people from all walks of life.

Born in Kemmerer, Wyoming, August 21, 1924, to Dr. E.B. Fairbanks and Vera Larsen Fairbanks, Dr. Bryce showed an immense vigor for life from a very young age. He graduated from the University of Utah, earning his medical degree, and continuing in his father’s footsteps. Bryce served both the public and his country as a doctor, treating patients for over 50 years, many of them with his father, an Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, and two brothers–both dentists–all working out of the same office, a fact that made his father very proud. He also served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Trieste, Italy from 1951 to 1953.

Dr. Fairbanks had met his match much before that in his wife of 70 years, Madge. As with all great loves, their’s starts with an amazing story. Bryce had met Madge at the hospital, and after one date, he asked her to marry him. She slapped him right in the face and told him “No.” Afterwards, her mother convinced her go out with him again, and the rest is 70 years of history. They had five children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grand children.

Bryce loved the outdoors, spending as much time as he could in his cabin, which was well-known for excellent dance parties. He enjoyed visiting Lava Hot Springs, and taking his children on hikes, horseback riding, boating, teaching them both self-sufficiency and conservation. Dr. Fairbanks also spent almost his entire life involved in the Boy Scouts of America. Bryce earned Eagle Scout, the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and was recognized as a great leader while serving on the Executive Board of the Great Salt Lake Council for over 50 years. He also was very active in the Church of Latter-day Saints, doing medical service volunteering for his entire career.

His joyous spirit joins his parents E.B and Vera; brothers, Dr. Robert L. Fairbanks, Dr. Richard Frank Fairbanks; and dearly departed daughter, Jan Leslie Fairbanks. He survives forever in the hearts of his wife, Madge H. Fairbanks; and his children, Jay and Hideko, Jeffery and Robert, Jerry and Kate, and James; as well as all of his loving grandchildren, and their children beyond.

Special later-in-life thanks to Dr. Thomas Cate, Dr. Bruce Newton, and Dr. Stacy Smith for their care, support and friendship. And to everyone who crossed Dr. Bryce’s path, family, relatives, patients, dear friends, Scouts, loved ones, colleagues, and even passing acquaintances...thank you. We will remember him as a man who always lent a helping hand, met every person with a wink, a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a story to tell. And as you know, he remembered–and still remembers–all of us. That was his way, and may his story live on in all of us.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 31st, 2017, at the Holladay 25th Ward, 4650 South Naniloa Drive. Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial then refreshments will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.

To contact the family, please call BJ Fairbanks at 801-971-5378.