Jay LaVar Lords

Kaysville, Utah — Jay LaVar Lords, husband, father, grandfather, and faithful friend, age 89, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on October 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

LaVar was born on February 12, 1937, in Rigby, Idaho, to Merlin James and Mable Lula Barnes Lords. He spent his early years in Rigby before his family moved to Centerville, Utah, where he attended Davis High School (Kaysville, Utah). From 1954 to 1957, he served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Tarawa, completing his service in California's Mojave Desert.

On September 19, 1958, he married the love of his life, Sharon Hatch, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they made their home in Kaysville, where they raised five children. LaVar was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a friend to many.

After working in local farm fields, LaVar learned the flooring trade at K&K Linoleum and with Hal Brown. He later co-founded L&L Flooring in Kaysville and then opened his own business, LaVar's Counter Tops and Flooring. After closing his business, he worked as a superintendent for remodeling stores until his retirement. In retirement, he and Sharon served an 18-month mission at the Deseret Mill in Kaysville.

Dad loved snowmobiling, water skiing, boating, and fishing, and he was never happier than when he was tinkering around the house. If his kids could dream it up, he would build it or help them finish it. Staying busy with a project was his idea of a good day.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sharon; his parents; his grandparents; and three siblings. He is survived by his children, Steven (Allyson) Lords, Deborah (John) Balone, Sharla (Garth) Hanson, Brenda (Cliff) Briggs, and Jeanine (Brad) Milliner; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Arva (Lords) Anderson and Sherry (Lords) Cates.

Honoring the life of Jay LaVar Lords, funeral services will be held Monday, November 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Russon Mortuary (1941 N Main St, Farmington, UT 84025), with a viewing Monday, November 2, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM at Russon Mortuary. Interment will follow at the Kaysville Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory YouTube page and on this obituary.