Bishop Keith Brigham McMullin

On September 30, 2026, Keith Brigham McMullin—beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, church leader, business executive, and friend—stepped peacefully through the veil. His dear wife, Carolyn, was at his side, just as she had been for sixty-two years. He left, surrounded by the love of eight children, 29 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Keith was born on August 18, 1941, in St. George, Utah to Lawrence and Margaret McMullin. He began his early life on the family farm in nearby Leeds and thrived as a boy living in farming and ranching communities of rural Utah and Montana, later moving to Salt Lake City. His years were filled with faith in God, recreation, work, love, singing, laughter, storytelling, and deep family connections. He was riding horses as soon as he could walk. He later said of his childhood, “Recreation and work were intermingled. But for me, there is no more relaxing experience than throwing my leg over a good saddle horse.”

Keith served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stuttgart and Frankfurt Germany where he mastered the German language and served the people with total dedication. He also met Carolyn Jean Gibbs, while in Germany. She too was serving a full-time mission. After returning home they dated, fell in love, and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 22, 1964.

Keith attended the University of Utah, graduating in banking and finance. Upon graduation he accepted a job as an investment and financial analyst with Ford Motor Company in Michigan. They moved with their first son to the small town of Ypsilanti. There, they learned that local Church leaders were considering closing the Ypsilanti branch because of its dwindling attendance. A special fast had been held and shortly thereafter Keith and Carolyn and several other young couples from Utah arrived, bringing renewed strength to the branch. Within three months, Keith was called as the branch president and later, the bishop.

Keith and Carolyn returned to Salt Lake City in 1969 where Keith had various professional opportunities and their family grew to seven children. In 1975, he was working for the Welfare Department of the Church. Five years later they were called to preside over the Germany Frankfurt Mission. Soon after arriving in Frankfurt, they welcomed their eighth child. Serving with a large family was challenging and unforgettable. Their family helped them quickly bond with missionaries, church members, and the German people who became lifelong friends.

Upon returning home, Keith resumed his work at the Church, first as Managing Director of the Materials Management Department and then the Managing Director of Welfare Services. Working for the Church had a profound impact on Keith’s worldview and how he lived and led his own life. In his own words he described this by saying, “Working in the Church’s welfare program, I felt personally and professionally fulfilled. No longer were my labors for money or position or perks. Everything I did had a bearing on helping others. Most importantly, everything my work entailed had an immediate and integral purpose in building God’s kingdom on earth.” As Managing Director of Welfare Services, Keith oversaw the network of agriculture, canneries, storehouses, thrift stores, social counseling and employment offices and humanitarian efforts. In addition, he willingly fulfilled many other church callings.

Keith was serving as a stake president in 1995 when President Gordon B. Hinckley called him as the second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. He served in that position for seventeen years, until April 2012.

Bishop McMullin’s service in the Presiding Bishopric included ministering to others, bearing witness of Jesus Christ around the world, and helping to guide the Church through unprecedented growth. This included the global expansion of temple building, the global construction of meetinghouses and missionary training centers, the preservation of historic landmarks, and the global expansion of humanitarian relief.

Two days after becoming an emeritus General Authority, Keith was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Deseret Management Corporation—a position he held for nearly eleven years, until December of 2023. In that capacity, he oversaw the management of many of the Church’s commercial entities, including Deseret Book, the Deseret News, Bonneville Communications, KSL, Bonneville International, and Beneficial Life Insurance Company. His optimism and steadying hand were hallmarks of his leadership. Those who worked with him remember his approach during the COVID 19 crisis. Never one to take counsel from his fears, he instructed his employees to look past the immediate threats and look for new and unique ways to grow. During this same time, he served as stake patriarch, a calling he fulfilled until his passing.

Keith had a calm, steadying hand, a generous spirit, unfailing kindness, and the ability to treat all with dignity. He was known for his trademark whistle and rich bass singing voice. He was often seen wearing one of his signature hats, whether a cozy cabbie hat, a classic straw cowboy hat, or a dapper dress bowler. He was equally comfortable in a starched white shirt with cufflinks, as he was in a pair of Wranglers and cowboy boots. He eagerly anticipated any chance to drive his John Deere tractor on the family farm in Idaho.

Above all else, his greatest treasures were Carolyn and their children. Horseback riding, skiing, camping, hiking, picnics, singing, dancing, participating in plays, coaching, and road trips, were regular family activities. Attending rodeos, New Year’s Day breakfast at Little America, backyard Cajun boils, birthday dinners, and 26 years of family reunions complete with an original family theme song were traditions he and Carolyn created.

He often entertained the family with country music played by him on his classic Gibson guitar. He also loved to sneak away with grandchildren for burgers and fries or pancakes and waffles.

His smile was contagious and his hugs were always available and endless. He was naturally cheerful and liberal with "I love yous". He was able to admit when he was wrong, always striving to do better and help others. The influence of his faith in Jesus Christ, his loving upbringing, and family relationships allowed him to see the good in others and care for the one.

It would be impossible to measure the sustained and lasting impact that Keith had on his family, the world, and the many individuals whose lives he blessed and influenced.

Keith is survived by his beloved Carolyn, his children Kirk (Carol), Chad (Allison), Johanna (Jeff Carter), Margaret (Howard Fullmer), Jennifer (Craig Mortensen), David (Jennifer), Nathan (Kristi), Nannette, 29 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Margaret McMullin, brother and spouse, Larry and Flora, and sister and spouse, Barbara and Shirl Kemp.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10th, 2026, at the Bountiful North Stake Center, 1540 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah.

A viewing will be held on Friday, October 9th, 2026, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday morning from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. prior to services at the Bountiful North Stake Center, 1540 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah.

Interment will be at Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah.

A live stream will be provided by the ward at this link: https://zoom.us/j/98845577983