George K. Fadel

George K. Fadel, our dear father, grandfather, and “ummo,” departed this life on January 1, 2026, at home among his family, at age 105 years and 12 days. Every second of his life was a valuable gift to us, and we are grateful for the cheer and love he gave us for our final Christmas with him here.

George was born on December 20, 1920, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eighth of nine children of Kaly and Besma Fadel. Among other things, his parents taught him how to love his neighbor, to speak Arabic, and to enjoy their native Lebanese food and culture. His parents and eight siblings predeceased him.

His family moved to their farm in Bountiful in about 1925, where George began cultivating his abilities as a master grower, learner, cheerleader, speaker, actor, advocate, leader, facilitator, teacher, builder, follower, and eternal optimist.

George worked on the family farm and in the family store on Main Street. He sought learning throughout his life and earned A’s as he attended Stoker Elementary, Bountiful Junior High School, Davis High School (class of 1938), and the University of Utah. He was a cheerleader for school and for us throughout his life. He won awards for debate and extemporaneous speaking and had a talent for being able to speak on a variety of topics without preparation. At the University of Utah, he majored in Military Science and Law, and he acted in leading roles in several plays.

He was admitted to the Utah Bar in 1948 and remained an active member of the Utah Bar until his death. He served as Bountiful City attorney for several years, while building his own private practice. He was the legal counsel for many municipalities operating power systems and the legal counsel for the Intermountain Consumer Power Assn. He was a member of the Bountiful Jaycees and Bountiful Rotary Club (over 50 years), and he served as the president of the South Davis Chamber of Commerce. He actively represented clients until age 100.In World War II (1942-45), he served as an artillery captain in the army, mostly in northern Italy, where he learned Italian. Later, he organized the National Guard in Bountiful. He was a lifetime member of the Bountiful Jeep Posse.

He began serving as mayor of Bountiful in 1954, when he was only 33, and he served until 1957. During this time, pressure groups were trying to push the city out of the power-business. Under Mayor Fadel’s leadership, a revenue bond passed, making it possible to modernize the power generator facilities, allowing the power company to be a great source of city revenue. It also provided power to residents at less than the prevailing rate of nearby areas. With the increasing city revenues from the power company, he and his council began to modernize the fire department using the National Guard building on 200 South between Main Street and 100 West to house the fire engines.

There was a water shortage during his administration, which was remedied by purchasing Harold Calder’s well. Later, when he was city attorney, the federal government began purchasing all the canyon water stock. He wisely urged city leaders to purchase all the water stock left in Barton Creek and Millcreek, which gave them control of two of the three major canyon streams.

George worked hard all his life. He put energy and love into everything he did. He accomplished so much each day in helping his family and other people; maintaining his property, garden, orchards, animals, and buildings; and in shopping for and preparing Sunday dinner for all the family each week. He did all these things until he became ill four weeks before his death.

George was a master teacher. If something needed to be done, he learned how to do it and then taught it to someone else. His children, grandchildren, and many more have benefitted greatly from his loving teachings. His hobbies were among the topics of instruction, which included gardening, roller skate dancing, horse riding, fishing, duck hunting, sports, and building. Like his father, his building expertise was with rock, and he has built many rock walls and buildings. We enjoyed building strong walls out of rock with him. He is our rock, building our family.

He was a follower of Jesus Christ without associating with any particular church. When his children were young, he taught them about Jesus every Sunday out of the New Testament. He taught us to sing, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” and to recite the Lord’s prayer in English, Arabic and Latin.

George’s mind remained clear and strong throughout his 105 years. As an eternal optimist, George remembered everything good. He didn’t just remember the good. He remembered the details of everything, in a good way, always with faith and hope for the present and the future. This gave him great resilience. With great love, we will forever remember him in the best way, and with great hope.

This is one of George’s sayings: “Do good, and the bounties will overflow the ocean. That which you needed so badly, quickly, will eventually come when experience and maturity have prepared its reception.”

George is survived by his four children, Kia Hodgson (Russel), Kristin Fadel (John Diaz), Douglas Fadel (Micah Beals), and Kara Burnett (Daren); his former wife, Janice Kramer; his 14 grandchildren, Kyler (Alisha), Keeton, Kase, Kearsa (Kaden), Che (Anjali), Jorji, Daisy, Hazel, Kahlil, Jaden, Jameson (Mary Grace), Jarek, Halli, and Dahri; and 2 great-grandchildren, Hallie and Dane. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, with time to visit with the family 9:00-9:45 a.m. at Russon Mortuary prior to services.

Interment will follow at the Bountiful Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.