Kelly Neil Farmer

Bountiful, UT – Our dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend returned home to his Heavenly Father and to his family and dear friends on February 12, 2021. He passed away at home, where he wanted to be, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 10, 1933 to Frederick Carmel Farmer and Purdett Charlotte Simonsen in Brigham City, Utah. He attended Box Elder High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. Kelly was the Senior Class President of Box Elder High School. He was asked by his seminary teacher, President Boyd K. Packer, to form a group a students to have the first Book of Mormon class taught in Seminary. President Packer and Kelly remained friends throughout their lives.
Kelly was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a firm testimony of the gospel. He served a mission to the Northern States where he primarily served the Native Americans in Wisconsin and in Iowa. He loved the Native Americans and enjoyed serving among them. Kelly had many callings in the Church but the one that was closest to his heart was that of Bishop of the Bountiful 18th ward. He truly loved the people that he served.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Business and Social Sciences and a Master of Science in Sociology from Utah State University. While there he belonged to “Pi Kappa Alpha” fraternity and met his wife Elaine Reese. Kelly followed her everywhere until she agreed to marry him. They were eternally sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 4, 1956.
Shortly after they married, Kelly and Elaine left for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where Kelly served in the United States Army Reserves and earned the rank of Captain. While there he received a Commendation for his work in repairing and restoring items that had previously been discarded by the US Army and returned them back to service.
Kelly returned to Utah where he became a Lederle Pharmaceutical salesman receiving recognition for being the top detail man. He later would go on to form a new pharmaceutical company called Pharmics which he later sold. While he was a pharmaceutical salesman, he and Elaine formed a freight recovery business known as NPS (National Product Sales, Inc.) in 1968 which has continued to grow for over 52 years.
Service was Kelly’s greatest earthly mission and dear to his heart was being a co-founder of Globus Relief a 501 (c) (3) charity. It has been this organizations privilege to donate medical supplies to numerous charities and foundations throughout the world. Kelly was humbled by the opportunity to host Donald H. Rumsfeld (Secretary of the Defense) for a tour of this organization. Kelly was honored to serve the youth as Chairman (1985) and Vice Chairman (1986) of the Scout-O-Rama and he also enjoyed working on the meeting house library committee where many long-term friendships were made.
Kelly loved sports, whether he was cheering on his children and grandchildren or rooting for the Utah Jazz or BYU athletics. For years he was a Cougar Club member and rarely missed going to a BYU football game.
Kelly is survived by his wife Elaine, and their three children, Julie Collins (JR), Kelly (Nicole), and Daniel (Lisa). He has 24 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Colleen Petersen. Preceded in death by his brothers Jay, Fred, and Robert, and daughter-in-law Stacy Sappenfield Farmer.
We love you, Dad! We will miss you, but we know that we will see you again. Thank you for being there for us and making us a priority in your life. We value the lessons we have learned from you thru your words and your actions.
A viewing will be held Friday, February 26, 2021 from 6-8 pm at Russon Brother’s Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah and Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:30-10:45 am at the LDS Chapel located at 165 South 1000 East, Bountiful, Utah. The funeral will follow at 11:00 am. Interment, Bountiful City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, provide service to someone in need.
The funeral services will be broadcast live on the Russon Brother’s Mortuary Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/russonmortuary/ (copy and paste or type this link into your browser).