Alan Gilbert Elder

On April 13, 2026, after fighting a good fight against pancreatic cancer, Alan Gilbert Elder was called back to his heavenly home.

Born on March 8, 1956 in Provo, Utah, Alan was a man who built things that lasted. Brick by brick and business by business, he shaped the world around him with steady hands and an incredible work ethic. But the greatest thing he ever built wasn’t made of stone, it was his family, a life he built alongside his wife and sweetheart, Linda Lee Johnson. The two were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple on March 7, 1980.

He loved the simple things. A Maverik drink in his hand. Cookies on the counter. A stash of chocolate raisins he proudly called “nanny berries.” He wore his jean shorts without apology, cheered faithfully for the BYU Cougars, and lit up anytime he could show someone the latest project he had finished at the cabin.

Alan was deeply goal-oriented, driven by a profound desire to do whatever his Heavenly Father asked of him. This devotion began in his youth as he served as a missionary in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and it continued for 11 years as he found great joy serving in the Logan Temple. He was heartbroken when he was no longer well enough to continue that work. Yet, his determination never faded, even in his final days. In the hospital, he would listen intently to his nurses and doctors just to figure out what his next goal should be.

One of his most cherished final goals was to live to see his 70th birthday. He was incredibly grateful for everyone who came to celebrate with him at his early birthday party, an experience that gave him a deep appreciation for all the wonderful friends he had made over the years. When he finally reached that 70th milestone in the hospital, he was overwhelmed with gratitude, celebrating the accomplishment with tears in his eyes.

He worked hard. Multiple businesses. Long days. Early mornings. And still, he always made room for what mattered most. If one of his 11 wonderful grandchildren had a loose tooth, it was worth whatever cash happened to be in his pocket. That was just who he was. Generous. Kind. All in.

He liked to joke that God could only give him hair or brains, so he must have ended up with hair for brains. But we all know better. His wisdom showed up in his grit. His intelligence showed up in his perseverance. And his heart showed up in the life he built and the people he loved so fiercely.

Alan built more than walls. He built security. He built tradition. He built laughter into ordinary days. He built a legacy of hard work, faith, and wholehearted love. And that legacy still stands. Strong, steady, and forever part of us.

Alan’s legacy lives on through his wife, Linda; his children, Amanda and Jeremy Russ, Alicia and Todd Barton, Anthony and Jeanie Elder, and Adrianne and Chris Guymon; his 11 grandchildren, and his 9 siblings. He is joyfully reunited with his parents, Ilene Anderson Elder and Ronald Q. Elder, and his stepmom Beverly Anderson Elder who preceded him in death.

A viewing with desserts will be held on Thursday night, April 23, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Castle Manor, one of his own proudest accomplishments, 710 West 200 North, Hyde Park, Utah.

The funeral will be held on Friday, April 24th at 11:00am. There will be a short viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 before the funeral at the same location. It will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building at 79 East 200 South, Smithfield, Utah. Burial services will follow at the Smithfield City Cemetery.

While he was a man of deep faith and grit, he never lost his sense of fun. No family photo was complete without Alan making 'silly eyes' or sneaking a pair of 'bunny ears'. He taught us that while life requires hard work, it also requires laughter. We will miss him every day, but we hold tight to the promise that this is not the end. Until we meet again… Adios, Alan.