Gaylin Rollins

Gaylin Wade Rollins, 81, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2022 in South Jordan, Utah.  He was born July 12, 1940 in Lyman, Wyoming, to Porter Eyre and Elease (Elmer) Rollins, the 4th of five children.  Gaylin married Joyce Mecham in the Salt Lake Temple on August 20, 1965.

Gaylin grew up working on the family farm in Lyman, Wyoming.  He loved learning and excelled in school.  He also participated in football, basketball, track, band (playing the oboe), musicals, and debate.

Gaylin graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1965 and master’s of Education for Educational Administration in 1968.  He also received a doctoral degree in Education from Utah State University.  He taught high school English across Utah, from Salina to Roy to Pleasant Grove.  He was also the principal of Lyman High School and worked in the Alpine School District office.

Gaylin was a hard worker and usually had another job in addition to his teaching job.  After his teaching day ended, he worked in construction, sold electronics or taught night school.  He built two of the three family homes, the homes in Lyman and Orem.  Ever the teacher, these two homes became classrooms where his children learned how to build homes.  He could fix or build anything and was always working on projects.  Gaylin would often get together with friends in the early morning hours to play basketball at the church or racquetball at the Orem Recreation Center.  After retirement, he especially loved playing golf and participated in the Cascade Senior League for many years.

Gaylin was “volunteered” to sing his first duet in the 4th grade.  From that experience grew his love of singing.  He often sang solos, duets, quartets or in choirs, but he especially loved singing the harmonies of barbershop quartets.  Joyce would often be the accompanist for his songs.  They were a great team.

Gaylin was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served in the Northern British mission from 1960-1962.  He served in many callings in the Church such as Scoutmaster (receiving the Silver Beaver award), High Priest group leader, all the various clerk positions numerous times, High Councilor, Young Mens positions in the ward and stake.  Most importantly, he was a faithful home teacher, husband and father.

Gaylin and Joyce served together as temple workers in the Mount Timpanogos temple for many years.  They also served as missionaries in Cleveland, Ohio, and especially loved their time in Kirtland. While serving in Kirtland they made forever friendships with the other missionary couples and cherished the time they spent together.  Their second  mission was at the Missionary Training Center in the International office serving the missionaries coming from other countries.  They learned much about different languages, countries and cultures.

Gaylin spent the last years of his life taking care of Joyce, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  They eventually moved to Sagewood at Daybreak where she could receive more assistance.  During that time, he was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s.  He was so kind, patient and willingly served Joyce until she passed away in August 2020.  They are now reunited to work and help serve others together.

Gaylin is survived by his children: Brian (Brandy) Rollins, Joylynn (Rob) Bennett, Darin (Camille) Rollins, and Kristy (Jamin) Bitter, 19 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, brothers Phil and Gary Rollins, sisters Loy Mackay and Lynda Hart.  He was preceded in death by his  eternal companion, Joyce and by his parents Porter and Elease Rollins.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Park 1st Ward building 50 S. 750 W. Orem, Utah with a viewing preceding the funeral from 9:30 am to10:30am.  A public viewing will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, May 20, 2022 at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem Utah.  Interment at Orem City Cemetery.

We would like to express thanks to Sagewood at Daybreak for the care they gave our parents.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the General Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the Services HERE

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