Carolyn Schade Bacon's Obituary
Carl William Bacon
June 21, 1934 – May 5, 2026
Carolyn Schade Bacon
September 19, 1934 – May 8, 2026
Carl William Bacon and Carolyn Schade Bacon, beloved husband and wife, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and devoted servants in their family, church, community, and country, passed away peacefully just days apart in Provo, Utah. Carl passed away on May 5, 2026, with his family gathered around him. Carolyn followed on May 8, 2026, returning to her heavenly home just two days after the passing of her dear husband of 73 years.
Carl was born June 21, 1934, in Hollywood, California, to Samuel Kenneth Bacon, MD, and Dorothy Paul Bacon. Raised in the Hollywood Hills during Hollywood’s golden years, he often recalled his boyhood home beneath the famous Hollywood sign, where Pacific sunsets filled the horizon. The values of hard work, integrity, and faith instilled by his parents became lifelong guides, and those early experiences shaped his appreciation for beauty, light, and optimism.
Carolyn was born September 19, 1934, in Los Angeles, California, to Marlon F. and Luetta Nell Schade. She grew up with an affection for the ocean, athletics, and the pursuit of knowledge. A proud graduate of Hollywood High School in 1951, Carolyn’s remarkable intellect led her to Brigham Young University, where she flourished as an English Literature major. It was the beginning of a lifelong love for education and a commitment to BYU that would span seven decades.
Carl met the love of his life, Carolyn Schade, when they were only five years old in the Wilshire Ward Primary, and they later became Hollywood High School sweethearts. They were known as the “two kids from Hollywood.” As they continued their studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, a deep and abiding love of learning, faith, and the BYU Cougars blossomed. That connection began a lifelong devotion to one another, to BYU, and to the community that would become their home.
In 1953, Carl and Carolyn were married in the St. George, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sealed together for time and all eternity. Their early marriage was defined by faith and sacrifice. Carl had long dreamed of serving a full-time mission for the Church he loved, but the Korean War had limited missionary callings to one per ward and delayed his plans. Just six months after their wedding, Carl was called to serve in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada Mission. Carolyn encouraged him to serve, stayed home to deliver their first son, Bill, and patiently awaited Carl’s return. Two years later, she stood on the Los Angeles train platform to welcome Carl home holding their little boy Bill. This experience set the foundation for a lifetime of devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Following his mission, Carl established a Los Angeles Times dealership and, at age 27, was called to serve as bishop of the San Fernando II/Mission Hills Ward, among the youngest bishops in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this period, Carl and Carolyn welcomed their second child, Sherry. It was a trying time as they endured the heartbreak of losing Carl’s older brother and hero, Ken, an Air Force pilot who perished after an F-100 oxygen failure in the mountains near Ely, Nevada. The sorrow of that loss was tempered by family joy and sustaining faith. During their years in Granada Hills, California, they added Tammy and John to their growing family.
A new chapter began in 1966 when the Bacon family moved to Provo, Utah, and Carl accepted an invitation to join the Brigham Young University administration. He served as Development Director for the next 20 years, where his innovative leadership, charismatic nature, and dedication to BYU’s mission helped bring about many university landmark projects, including the Marriott Center, the expansion of LaVell Edwards Stadium, the N. Eldon Tanner Business School, the Spencer W. Kimball Tower, and the J. Reuben Clark Law School buildings. His work reflected both his love for BYU and his commitment to building uplifting institutions. In the years following their move to Provo, Carl and Carolyn welcomed Christy, Ken, and Jana to complete their family.
Carolyn embraced life in Provo and the vibrant community it provided for her family. She was an excellent cook, an avid reader, and a wonderful mother and example. She insisted on the importance of education and the use of proper English with her children. She quickly became the ultimate die-hard Cougar fan; as members of the Cougar Club since 1966, she and Carl spent over six decades cheering from the stands and supporting BYU athletics. Carolyn was also a devoted supporter of the theater and visual arts. She thrived on any opportunity to attend the Shakespearean Festival, Broadway musicals, and local entertainment. She herself had a dramatic flare. She exuded a joyful spontaneity that inspired those around her, was always mastering a complex jigsaw or crossword puzzle, and searched for chocolate in any form. If there was water, she loved to swim in it.
Carl’s civic spirit extended far beyond the university. He served with America’s Freedom Festival at Provo for over thirty-five years, including two terms as president. He also chaired events and committees and served as a member of the board of trustees and as executive director and senior executive producer of Stadium of Fire. At Carl’s invitation, Alan and Merrill Osmond took Carl’s vision of “a Los Angeles Coliseum-style fireworks show” to create the “Stadium of Fire,” which became one of the nation’s largest celebrations of patriotism and faith, featuring celebrities from the Osmonds, Bob Hope, The Beach Boys, Lee Greenwood, Carrie Underwood, and more. From fireworks displays to Patriotic Devotionals, Carl’s passion for freedom, deep love of country, and meticulous organization helped elevate Utah County and inspired all who worked with him.
Throughout their lives, Carl and Carolyn served faithfully in numerous church assignments. Carl served as branch president, BYU 104th Ward Bishop, Edgemont Stake President, and, in a treasured call from President Thomas S. Monson, mission president in the Toronto mission of his youth from 1983 to 1986. Carolyn served beside him as the beloved “Mission Mom,” adored for her loving kindness and her gift for public speaking. Carl later served as an Area Authority Seventy in the Utah South Area and as president of the Provo Utah Temple, with Carolyn serving at his side as matron. Carl cherished his most recent role as a temple sealer, where he was privileged to unite families, including generations of his own family, for eternity.
Carolyn’s devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the bedrock of her life. She served in many capacities within the Church but found her greatest joy in teaching and sharing her testimony and knowledge as a beloved Sunday School Gospel Doctrine teacher and Relief Society leader and teacher. Carolyn possessed a brilliant intellect, a quick wit, a photographic memory and talent for telling a story and delivering an inspiring speech without a note. Carolyn was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a covenant-keeper, and a proud matriarch. Her firm convictions—spiritual, intellectual, and political—were matched by a joyful spontaneity that inspired those around her.
Carolyn was entrenched with the Utah California Women, where she served a year as president and for 17 years on the UCW board, supporting the Utah Special Olympics and honoring great women of Utah with the Utah Heritage Award including Camilla Kimball, Marjorie Hinckley and others. She was the ultimate supporter to Carl in his work, community affairs, and church responsibilities.
Music was a defining part of Carl’s life. Gifted with a rich and beautiful tenor voice, he often sang with dear friends Bobby and Karl Engemann and performed with his daughters Sherry and Tammy, sharing his joy of music at family and community events. Through his love for music, he began producing “Utah Stars and Friends” concerts with dear friend Nate Keller at the UVU Events Center. They headlined celebrities such as Alfie Boe and Edina Menzel while showcasing Utah talent, from Gentri, Lexi Walker, and Alex Boyé to Dallyn Bayles.
Carl and Carolyn shared a passion for life, family, faith, learning, music, travel, and BYU. Carl loved the outdoors and found great pleasure in golf. In his younger years, he excelled in baseball and track and field. They were members of the Cougar Club since 1966, and spent over six decades cheering from the stands and supporting BYU athletics. The two were always up for a game of pickleball, joining their children’s family activities, going out to eat or on a last-minute vacation. They had a passion for traveling the world-especially Europe. Together, Carl and Carolyn explored European rivers, visited family in Guyana, journeyed with their children to historic and distant lands, and visited ancient pyramids, the Red Square of the Soviet Union, and the vibrant streets of Jerusalem where Jesus walked. Wherever they went, they embraced adventure with gratitude and curiosity.
Carl’s patriotism was profound, and he cherished opportunities to serve and learn, including one memorable occasion when he attended a National Security meeting in the Oval Office with President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, Secretary of State Howard Baker, Joint Chief of Staff Colin Powell, and other national leaders. Carolyn stood beside him with unwavering support, wise counsel, and the strength of her own firm convictions.
Above all, Carl and Carolyn delighted in supporting their children and grandchildren in their pursuits, from academic achievements and collegiate sports to professional dance careers on national television stages. Carl especially loved cheering on anything related to BYU or his grandchildren’s activities. Carolyn exuded a joyful spontaneity that made family life more lively, memorable, and full of love.
To those who knew them best, Carl and Carolyn will be remembered for faith, family devotion, service, conviction, and love. Carl’s quiet strength, compassion, and testimony left a lasting impact on all who knew him. Carolyn’s intellect, warmth, loyalty, and joyful spirit blessed generations. Together, they taught their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to live true to the teachings of Jesus Christ, leading by quiet, consistent example.
Carl and Carolyn spent their lives as eternal companions. We are sure Carl forged the way, as he always did, preparing the way for his beloved Carolyn and those he loves to follow.
Carl and Carolyn are survived by seven children: C. William Bacon, Sherry Christensen (William), Tammy Johnson (Curtis), John Bacon (Rebecca), Christy Boots (Dennis), Kenneth Bacon, and Jana Lindsay (Steve); 39 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren; Carl’s sisters, Chyleen Bluth (Lothaire) and Cherilyn Bacon; and Carolyn’s sisters, Mary Nell Kimball and Robin Bullock. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Kenneth Bacon and Dorothy Paul Bacon; his brother, Samuel Kenneth Bacon, Jr; Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Marlon F. Schade and Luetta Nell Schade; her sister, Sharon Richey; and their grandchildren, Christopher Christensen, Shanna Christensen, and Lennon Johnson; and daughter-in-law, Christine Pyper Bacon.
The family expresses deep gratitude to physician son Bill for the medical knowledge and comfort he gave his parents, and to all who went the extra mile as they navigated new and unfamiliar territory. Each daughter and son gave time and resources to assist their beloved parents, truly “honoring their father and their mother” in quiet, kind, and sacred ways. The family expresses its love to granddaughter Alisha Bacon for the countless hours she spent caring for her grandmother and grandfather with patience, love and gentle kindness in difficult circumstances. Special thanks are extended to Judy Starley, Carolyn’s friend of 50 years for her devotion, friendship and constant presence. The family would also like to recognize Belle Vie Hospice, especially Ginselvi Campos and Bryce Barney for their compassionate caregiving.
Carl lived by the principle he often quoted: “Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.” His was a life of purpose, unwavering devotion, and quiet joy. Carolyn’s was a life of faith, intellect, conviction, and devoted love. Together, they expressed love for family, friends, one another, and the Savior whenever they could. Such strength, devotion, and conviction will be remembered by all who knew them “’til we meet again.”
Combined funeral services will be held at the Edgemont Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 303 West 3700 North, Provo, Utah 84604, on May 16, 2026, at 12:00 noon. A viewing will precede the service from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, 4800 E. Lawn Dr., Provo, Utah 84604.
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