Victor Farrell Thomas

“Mr. Par 3”

July 22, 1930- February 27, 2016

Victor Farrell Thomas passed away February 27, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Farrell enriched all our lives with his quick wit and loving heart.

He was born to Victor and Sylvia Thomas on July, 22, 1930 in Ely, Nevada. He grew up in Salt Lake City where he graduated from East High School. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After returning home he was called to serve an LDS mission to Eastern Canada from 1953 to 1955 where he served as mission secretary.

He attended the University of Utah where he was very active in student government, serving as a Student Body Officer, Senior Class President and President of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Following graduation in 1958 he served as a Field Secretary for the National Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He returned home and started his teaching and coaching career at Wasatch Junior High where he taught for 28 years.

He met his loving sweetheart Marene Stutznegger and they were married on June 30, 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have enjoyed 55 wonderful years together. They were blessed with two loving children, Victor and Jill.

Farrell has always had a great love for the game of golf. He taught golf to students at Wasatch Junior High and at the University of Utah. He became a Teaching Professional at Fore Lakes Golf Course where he spent nearly 40 years teaching the game he loved. He had a special place in his heart for the Junior Golf Program.

He served on the teaching staff of the National Golf Foundation and was named Golf Digest’s Best Teacher in the State for 3 years in a row. He had a great passion for the game of golf and loved sharing that passion with the numerous people he taught.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in various ward and stake callings including serving in the Bishopric and on the Stake High Council. He especially enjoyed the 15 years that he served as a Guide on Temple Square. He had a strong and abiding love for the Savior and was exceedingly thankful for his testimony of the gospel.

He will always be remembered for his enthusiasm for life. Farrell always had a smile for everyone. He loved to make you laugh and always made life fun. He had a great influence for good on his family, friends and those who knew him. His grandchildren always called him, “Funny Grandpa”.

He is survived by his wife Marene, son Victor (Lauri) Thomas and daughter Jill (Jeff) Ulrich, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, 2 sisters Darlene (Lorry) Horman and Vicki (Tom) Grondel. He is preceded in death by his parents.

The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation for the kind, tender and compassionate care given to Farrell by Envision Home Health & Hospice with special thanks to his nurse Natalie Snook.

Funeral services will be held on Monday March 7, 2016 at 12:00 pm at the Little Cottonwood 5th Ward LDS Chapel, 6350 South Rodeo Lane (1540 East) SLC, Utah. Friends may visit with the family Sunday evening at the Ward from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday morning 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral.

Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Drive, SLC Utah.