Sterling Fairbourn

Sterling Dean Fairbourn, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 74 on September 30, 2025. He was born on May 19, 1951, in Murray, Utah to Laura Annie Butterfield and Marion Dean Fairbourn. He was a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering love for his family and community.

He was born in Murray and raised in Crescent Utah. He grew up helping his parents farm 50 acres. He and his brother often went to work with his dad in the stockyards as well. He learned to care for their farm animals, milk the cows, and would raise a calf each summer to sell and use the money for school clothes or put away in savings. As a family they spent many hours planting and harvesting crops, including sugar beets. He also learned many lessons working on his uncle's mink ranch, and went on to work year round at other mink ranches. Some of his favorite memories growing up were hours spent with cousins playing outside, building forts, hide & seek, or in the winter snow. He and his older brother put many miles on a pair of stick horses his father made for Christmas, galloping all over their farm and chasing cows together.

At six years old he had his appendix removed and was given little chance of surviving, due to a serious infection. People from the surrounding community rallied and donated blood for him. He missed out on celebrating Christmas for a while, but made a slow recovery and was able to return home to find that Santa did actually remember him that year.

Sterling enjoyed high school and participated in sports activities, choir, and held various school leadership positions. Sterling was a graduate of Jordan High School, Class of 1969. Shortly after that, he enlisted in the Utah National Guard 144 th and served in active duty during 1970. He then left to serve as a missionary in the California Central Mission, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 to 1972. Upon returning, he continued his service in the National Guard for an additional five years. He stayed physically active playing basketball and had a love for sports that turned into officiating games when he could. He loved a good walk, and also watching various sports games.

In 1975, Sterling pursued his education, graduating from Utah Technical College at Salt Lake City in Accounting, then attended Utah State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business. He later married his eternal sweetheart, Marla Brinton, on March 17, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they shared 47 wonderful years filled with love, laughter, and deep commitment to each other and their family.

Early in his career he held a few different jobs including at the local newspaper in advertising and the Style Den. Sterling eventually settled in to work for 41 years as a purchasing agent for Bridger Valley Electric Association. He was known for his calm cheerful demeanor, integrity and work ethic, and for stepping in when he saw a need.

He served faithfully in the Lyman 4th Ward in many callings over the years, with many dear friends who have become like family. During the last few years Sterling & Marla got to serve together in fun & challenging ways. Sterling cherished going to church meetings as often as he was able to during the last months of his life.

Sterling was a devoted father to four daughters-Laurel Jensen (Dan), TraciAnn Fairbourn, Kimberly Welchman (Eric), Christine Fairbourn, and a proud grandfather to five grandchildren: Louis (13), Delaney (10), Lynsey (6), Deric (9), and Dawson (7). He loved reading stories with them, doing a yard job together, and loved to eat a treat together. Family gatherings were often filled with games where Grandpa let the grandkids win, playing rounds of Bingo or Battleship, swinging together in the hammock, and playing in a pool or hot tubbing together. He spent time with them fishing and camping when the weather was nice, and even a few times when it wasn't. He loved to tease and to share a silly joke any time he could. Treasured memories were made when he started a tradition of going to a "Christmas Cabin" to spend holiday time together after Christine passed away. Another tradition he encouraged his children and then grandchildren to do was memorize a poem to perform at the family Christmas party. Last year he surprised everyone with a karaoke style performance to a song he loved to sing about a Big Blue Frog. It will be a memory they will never forget!

Outside of work, Sterling enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies. He loved gardening, fishing, woodworking, and serving others. He poured his heart into raising his daughters. He had a gift for cheering and lifting others wherever he went. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved helping others whenever he could. Shopping with Dad & Grandpa was always an adventure- he was a master at finding a good deal! He spent many hours of service in the temple with his sweetheart.

Sterling is survived by his eternal wife and sweetheart, Marla, his sister Renae Emery of Perry, and his daughters and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Melvin, brother Scott, and daughter Christine. Sterling's legacy of faith, service, and love will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His kind spirit and quiet strength will be deeply missed. Dad, We loved hearing you say, "Be happy and keep smiling"! Can't wait to hug you again Daddy-o!

Services will be held at the Bridger Valley Stake Center Friday, October 10th and include a viewing 9-10:45am, funeral at 11am and will be available to zoom, interment at the Lyman Cemetery, and followed by a lunch for family and close friends.