LeRoy Bearnson

October 29, 1934 - December 6, 2020

LeRoy Wood Bearnson, age 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 6, 2020. LeRoy was born October 29, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah as the first of two children to Lizzie Delores Wood and William LeRoy Bearnson. When LeRoy was 11, his father died and LeRoy became the man of the house, caring for both his mother and for his beloved younger brother, Paul. LeRoy graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City. He then served a 2 ½ year mission in Sweden for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While working on his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, he fell in love with and married Barbara Barker. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in 1960. LeRoy and Barbara raised four children all while pursuing multiple academic degrees and teaching positions in Utah, New York, Colorado, Alabama, and California. He earned a BS from the University of Utah, an MS from Syracuse University, and a PhD from Auburn University. LeRoy, Barbara, and family returned to Utah in 1972 upon acceptance of a teaching position at Brigham Young University where he taught electrical engineering for over 30 years. After Barbara’s untimely death in 2004, he was able to find love again. He married Carolyn Woodruff Sutherland in 2005. Together, they each retired from teaching at BYU, traveled the world, and served a medical service mission for the Church on the Navajo Nation U.S. Indian reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Carolyn passed away in 2018. LeRoy was a soft-spoken man, but fiercely devoted to his family, friends, and faith. He was a faithful member of the Church his entire life. He served in many callings, including as bishop of a BYU ward. He seemed never to miss a loved one’s athletic event, musical performance, wedding, baptism, or graduation. He was known as “Lee” by his stepfamily who loved him and graciously welcomed him and his children into their large and close-knit family. He was constant and kind and will be remembered and missed by many. LeRoy is survived by his four children: William (Karyl Lynn) Bearnson, Stephen Bearnson, Ruth Bearnson, and Robert (Kelly) Bearnson; eight step-children: Mark (Melody) Sutherland, Barbara (Keith) Paskett, David (Lois) Sutherland, Karen (Rhett) Chamberlain, Jennifer (Carlyle) Ostler, Jeffrey (Emily) Sutherland, Emily (Sean) Flynn, and Justin (Nichole) Sutherland; grandson Beric Bearnson and his mother Miho Waldrup; grandson Brigham Bearnson; multiple step-grandchildren and great grandchildren; and his brother, Paul (Mary) Bearnson. He was preceded in death by wife Barbara Barker Bearnson, wife Carolyn Sutherland Bearnson, and stepson Daniel Sutherland. Due to the pandemic, no viewing or funeral service will be held. A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm Friday, December 11, 2020 at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo, Utah.