Jerry Cellus Elmer's Obituary
Jerry Cellus Elmer, 73, was called home to his Heavenly parents and Savior Jesus Christ on September 17, 2025 at his home. He was born May 21, 1952 in Lexington, South Carolina, son of Clyde Rawson Elmer and Ruth Inez Smith.
Jerry found the love of his life, best friend, and eternal companion Lynda Gines and were married on April 1, 1984 at Log Haven, Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized on June 20, 1998 in the Manti, Utah Temple.
He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, and dutch oven cooking. He loved playing pinochle and played weekly with friends which was a highlight of the week. He was an avid Utah Jazz fan and found his new love for hockey with the Utah Mammoth.
He was able to attend his 1st NHL hockey game last year and loved every minute he was there. He was so excited for the season to start in a few weeks and looked forward to attending more games. After he met his wife Lynda his favorite sport became rodeo, which he wanted to attend everyone that he could.
He loved old cars, big trucks, monster trucks, and semi's. He drove long haul until his family started to grow and then worked as an auto body and mechanic tech so he could be home with his young family and watch them grow.
He loved the mountains, and often made his own roads. His wife Lynda and boys were everything to him. Driving big rigs is what he loved most of all, so when their youngest son at the time turned 18 he said he was going back to driving, bought a dump truck and pup and owned and operated JCL Enterprises for several years.
The older grandkids have fond memories of going to work with grandpa on the big truck, where he spoiled every one of them. Most of all he loved his family. He cherished his wife, sons, daughter-in-law's who were his daughters, grandkids, and especially loved the great grandkids as they started to arrive.
He loved taking them fishing, camping, and spending time around the camp fire roasting hotdogs and s'mores. There was nothing better than a Dutch oven meal cooked over the coals. He loved and looked forward to the once a month birthday celebrations when he would be surrounded by family.
He loved telling stories to the grandkids like, he lost his finger from picking his nose and the booger monster ate it off. Or sticking his teeth out and telling them to stick their teeth out like grandpa. He had a heart of gold and loved everyone he came in contact with, and immediately had a friend for life.
He spread laughter everywhere he went, and could find joy even in the smallest things. He loved the Lord and would do anything he was asked to do. He loved callings were when he could be out among his friends serving them and the community.
His favorites were Bishopric, Young Men's, Ward Mission Leader, and Ward greeter. He was a judge for the Kearns Hometown Days parade and loved being the "Cookie Grandpa" for the Girl Scouts. He also spent countless hours with the Boy Scouts.
He often would disappear during a snow storm and go around to all the single women in the neighborhood clearing their walks and driveways. Before his accident in 2015, he served as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple in the baptistery.
He loved serving in this area and looked forward to being in the temple twice a week. He could fix anything and was the greatest handy-man to have around. He left this trait to his sons to carry on his talent.
He was a fighter and never gave up. He hated the limitations his accident left him with in 2015 but he made the best out of life that he could. His love of life, family, and the Savior is what he fought for to stay here, and it bothered him he couldn't serve the way he wanted too.
We know it is time for him to return to his heavenly home where he is out once again doing service for our Savior and no longer has the limitations he had here on earth. The last several years he endured great pain every day, but he never complained much, always had a smile, and knew that the Savior knew what he was going through and yoked with Him, and all things are possible to endure.
We as a family would like to thank all of our friends and family for the love, prayers, and service they have provided to us over the last several years. You were a major support to our family. We also want to thank the medical staff for all they did to extend his life as long as they did and putting up with his corny jokes and sense of humor at his appointments.
They all loved him and they always looked forward to seeing him. They always said, "Here's the guy that proved modern medicine wrong", and that he did. Special love to the Elite Home Health team, especially Julia and Derek for their endless hours of service spent in our home assisting his wife with his daily care, and physical therapy.
Jerry and Lynda loved them all dearly and will never forget the kindness and love they showed to him. He will be missed by all, especially Oreo, his 4 legged best friend and companion during his long days. But we know we will see him again and will reunite with him for the eternities.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 41 years Lynda. Children: Branden (Lindy Meyers) Salt Lake, David (Celeste), Kearns, Justin (Bethany) Midvale, daughter-in-law: Heather Williams, Clarkston, all of Utah. 20 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
Brothers: Ray Elmer, Salt Lake City, Utah, Mike (Sheila) Elmer, Leeds, Utah, Robert Wayne (Bob) Elmer, Waterford, Oklahoma, brother-in-law Steve Martinez, Kearns, Utah. Sister-in-law Diane Kimball, Hyrum. Ray (Denise) Gines, Hanna, Mark (Marianne) Gines, Lakepoint.
Betty (Doug) Stowell, West Jordan, Beverly Jbailat, Sandy, all of Utah. And many nieces and nephews who he dearly loved and cherished. Preceded in death by his son: Jacob Kyle Elmer, parents, sister Shonia Elmer Martinez, brother George Emery (Jody) Elmer, brother-in-law Brent Gines, and sister-in-law Pat Elmer.
Viewing will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5380 West 5400 South, Kearns, Utah. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 11:00 am with a viewing prior to services at 9:30 - 10:45 am at the same location.
Interment will be at the Woodland Cemetery, Woodland, Utah at 3:00 pm.
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