Dr. Lynn Smith Farnsworth (84) died on December 12, 2020 at his home in Mesa, Arizona due to complications related to COVID-19. He was born on January 27, 1936 in Beaver, Utah to Samuel Taylor Farnsworth and Elsie Kathleen Smith – the youngest of seven children.
He graduated from Beaver High School and attended Brigham Young University (BYU) where he studied Zoology. Lynn and Mary Elizabeth Clark met freshman year at BYU and they married in June 1959. Lynn graduated from BYU in 1961 and went on to attend medical school at the University of Utah. He joined the U.S. Army and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Lynn’s military career provided the opportunity for the family to live in several states across the country and in Germany (twice – Berlin and Heidelberg). He retired from the military as a colonel in 1996 after 35 years of service. Lynn continued his career at Maricopa Medical Center where he retired for a second time in 2003. He took great pleasure in teaching and training the next generation of physicians.
Lynn served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1956 to 1959 in the East German Mission. Lynn and Mary served two missions together: Brazil North Area – Medical Advisor (2004-2006) and North Carolina Raleigh Mission – Military Relations (2011-2013). He found joy in serving and spreading the gospel.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and eight children: Scott Clark (Juliann) Farnsworth, LynAnn Ellsworth (Mark) Imlay, Karen Farnsworth (Robert) Sawatzki, John Taylor (Stacey) Farnsworth, Robert Clark Farnsworth, Joseph Clark (Jenae) Farnsworth, Melissa Farnsworth (Michael) Smith, and Jennifer Elizabeth (Sylvester) Buigut. He’s the grandfather to 29 children and great-grandfather to 24 children. Preceded in death by son-in-law Lansing Ellsworth and grandsons Dallin Ellsworth and Timothy Smith.
“Lynnie-boy” never forgot his roots as a farm boy from Beaver and his legacy exemplifies the qualities he learned in his early years. He will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor, commitment to service, work ethic, and dedication to Jesus Christ and the gospel.
The Farnsworth family thanks the many healthcare workers who cared for Lynn throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Wounded Warriors.
Funeral services will be live streamed on Wednesday, 16 December, 2020 at 11 am MDT at the following link: Services for Lynn Farnsworth (https://youtu.be/vgDlj0npWS4)
Joe and Jenae, We always know that our parents will pass away at some point, and it is always too soon when it happens. Praying that the peace that only comes from God will be with you and your family.
Love, Marion and Judith Pomeroy
So very sorry to hear of Uncle Lynn’s passing. I hope that Mary and everyone in the Farnsworth family are doing ok.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. We love your family and will be praying you feel peace.
I am so sorry to see him gone.
He and Mary changed my life.
I will NEVER forget.
Hugs to Mary and Family
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like he was a great man! Hugs from Baytown!
Scott, Juliann, and Family–So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I know he was a good man because he raised a good son.
Mary and family, I am sorry for your loss. I will always be grateful for your love and acceptence over the years. The day of my baptism will forever be on my heart and I am so very glad that Lynn was the one to baptize me. You both were just like my 2nd set of parents. All my love to you all from the Johnson family.
Long before Marie Ellsworth became part of our family we loved Dr. Farnsworth. He was by far my favorite OB. I have so many sweet and funny memories with him as my doctor. He was so kind and encouraging and gave the best advice. Needless to say we were thrilled to share grandkids/great grandkids with them. Our love, prayers and even our thanks are with all your family. I know you sacrificed much so he could care for so many.
Lynn was a great man, father, grandfather. He was a great example to all that knew him. He will be greatly missed!
I am so sorry to hear of Lynn’s passing. I will always remember his tender heart, joking nature and the twinkle in his eye. Love and prayers to your family.
Donna
Sorry to hear of the passing of Lynn, he was way too young. I love you Mary! Both of you were such good friends and neighbors. Those were happy years and our children became good friends as well. I know your children will be there for you with love and support. Life as a widow will be different for you Mary, but you will find that life is still worth living. May you feel peace and comfort at this challenging time. With much love!!
Lynn was my funniest Uncle and always made us laugh. He was a great example and will be missed. May the Lord bless your family with peace and comfort. I’m sure my Mom and Dad were there to welcome him.
We loved the time we were in the same ward as your family many years ago in Maryland. Kristin and I are friends of Missy from that time and also at BYU. I am sorry for your loss and I feel sad knowing that you are missing your father. We love and pray for you.
Sending sympathy and love to Aunt Mary and all my cousins. Uncle Lynn was always fun and created laughter and goodwill wherever we happened to be. I remember him sleeping on the living room floor once at Grandma Clark’s house. He said it had been a long night at the hospital. Goes to show you that he was able to give and maintain a sense of humor and can-do spirit. Mary and Lynn welcomed us when we moved to Denver and were so kind. We will remember all the good times.
Uncle Lynn was a family favorite, as he always brought fun and joy into the room.
I am so sorry to hear of Lynn’s passing. He was a dear cousin. I only wish that we had met earlier in both of
our lives and in closer proximity to each other. My late husband and I enjoyed knowing him and Mary.
He will be missed greatly. I remember a reunion of the Clark side of the family in Mesa. He gave a grave talk about us nieces and nephews only being allowed two squares of toilet paper! Hilarious. Always funny and generous.
One of my favorite doctors! I was pregnant with my 6th child and already had 4 girls and 1 boy. My oldest son wanted a brother and asked if he could pray for one. I had already explained that we would get whatever Heavenly Father chose to send us but I told him to go ahead. He was 4 years old and informed me one day that he WAS getting a brother and his name was Johnny because Heavenly Father told him so. Next OB visit when Dr. Farnsworth listened to the heartbeat and joked about what it would be (he was always joking with me), I told him what my son had said. He immediately wrote down on his chart “a boy named Johnny”. Ultrasounds were not used then. When I went into the hospital, an old nurse saw the chart and kind of made a snorting sound and a rude comment. But when the baby was born, Dr. Farnsworth said: “Well, hello, Johnny!” He was a man of great faith and I was sad when we moved away from AZ.
Mary, I feel so sad for you. It isn’t easy. I am so glad that I was included in the e-mail obituary. I listened to the funeral today, and really enjoyed hearing of the many things said about Lynn. He was outstanding. I know much about his younger life in Beaver. I would like your phone No., and want to call you–maybe after the holidays.
Lynn was Carolei’s OB doctor and delivered several of our children. Come our 7th child, and I still had never witnessed the birth of any of our children, Lynn grabbed me by the elbow and ushered me into the delivery room assuring the nurse I was qualified to be there (in those days you had to take a special course before you could attend a delivery, and I had never gotten around to doing so), and so because of Lynn I was able to witness the births of our 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th children! Carolei and I both loved Lynn dearly, and Mary also, as we were in the same Stake and had occasion to interact in church service opportunities. We love you, Mary, and pray for peace and happiness in all your days! — Stephen and Carolei Phelps
Dr. Farnsworth delivered my first 3 sons. He was a wonderful doctor and a great man. Sorry he’s gone, but I’m sure he’s already busy on the other side.
We have learned about Jenifer’s father passing. To have such a wonderful woman married to our brother speaks volumes about her parents.
We are sorry for your loss.
May Dr Lynn Farnsworth rest in peace