Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, J. Lynn Shawcroft, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2019, after a brief illness. He was born to J. Howard and MarVelle Shawcroft on February 6, 1929, in La Jara Colorado. He was the oldest of four children, sister LaVonne, and brothers Dale and Wayne. He grew up on the family farm and cattle ranch and graduated from La Jara High School in 1947. Following high school, he received bachelors and masters degrees from Utah State University, Adams State College, and the University of Colorado. He was called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico from 1950 to 1952. On June 8, 1954, he and Dorothea Carol Thomas were married in the Salt Lake Temple, and they are the parents of six children, Diana, Karl, Marianne, Carolyn, Janet, and Paul. The majority of years raising his family were spent in Broomfield, Colorado, where he worked as an educator and administrator in the Boulder Valley School District. Following retirement, he and Dorothea moved to Mesa, Arizona, and soon after were called to serve as missionaries in Quito, Ecuador and Guatemala City, Guatemala. He also served as president of the Ecuador Guayaquil mission, and later as president of the Guayaquil, Ecuador temple.
The entirety of his life was spent serving others in whatever capacity he was called, with his sweetheart always serving faithfully by his side. “Papa,” as he is affectionately known by his family, was an expert gardener and grew the most beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. He was an avid fisherman in his younger years and loved spending his summers at the family cabin in the mountains of Colorado. He was a person of honesty and integrity and always did the right thing for the right reason. He was gentle and kind, and loved by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Dorothea, children Diana Palmer (Ron), Karl, Carolyn Rasmussen (Edward), Janet Rasmussen (Ward), and Paul, 17 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and one brother, R. Wayne Shawcroft. Graveside services will be held in Colorado at the Sanford Cemetery on October 9, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., where he will be interred. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., at the Kimball Stake Center, 1266 S. 32nd Street, in Mesa, Arizona
Cuantos recuerdos gratos e inolvidables de un hombre Ejemplar mi Presidente de Misión, cuanto lo apreció…..
Lynn Shawcroft was one of the most humble and dedicated men I have had the honor of knowing. Serving with President Shawcroft was an ongoing lesson in love. He showed an unending love for the downtrodden and poor among us and exemplified Christ-like attributes toward all of God’s children. As a mission president, he was simultaneously exacting in his expectations for his missionaries and charitable toward those who struggled. His actions reflected the Lord’s admonition to show love in all we do to serve Him. He was as comfortable meeting with members and leaders in the most humble of circumstances as he was dealing with those of more prosperous means, and in Ecuador we had plenty of humble people. His open hand and warm heart were precisely what the Ecuadorian members and friends responded to, and he and Sister Shawcroft gave freely of that love.
I was fortunate to see the joy that serving the Lord brought to Lynn’s life. The happiness that he felt in doing the Lord’s work was evident, whether in a mission conference, at a stake meeting or within the Holy Temple. Challenges never seemed to weigh him down, and there were plenty, but he continually found a way to work through the challenges and lift those around him.
He enjoyed a good time, and he was happy to play a practical joke or tell a funny story. His warm laugh was a welcome balm to tired missionaries.
He was one of the great missionaries to come out of the Mexican Mission in the 1950’s, those early missionaries in Latin America who blazed a trail for so many others to follow. They went on to lead missions, serve in temple presidencies and guide the growing membership of the Church for decades. Lynn was an outstanding example of that blessed generation. Those of us who served with him in later years were molded and shaped in our service by the selfless example he gave.
We will miss him, and we will unite our prayers in support of his dear eternal companion, Dorothea. As Lynn himself often told us, without her, he could not have risen to be the man of God he was.
In fond memory of a life well lived in service of our Father’s most humble children.
Ron Sasine
Mision Ecuador Guayaquil
1985-1987
Dorothea, I just learned today of Lynn’s passing. I am so sorry. I would have loved to have known him and you much better, rather than from interviews for the stake history. Although I finished the early history back in 2014 or 15, it is finally going through its final edit, but the second half of the history has run into roadblocks that have delayed the printing of the book. I know Lynn would have loved to have read it. I will contact you at the address I have when it is available. In the meantime, please know that my heart goes out to you at this
most difficult time.
With love, Jackie Bedwell