H Ross Workman

Harley Ross Workman; a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep on 22 September 2024. Born on 31 December 1940, Ross lived an abundant life full of hard work, adventure and service.

He is survived by his sweet bride Katherine Meyers, his four children, Teri Mahoney, Chris Workman (Tanya Thoms), Heidi Sidwell (Jason Sidwell) and Ryan (Andrea) Workman, beloved son-in-law Bruce Mahoney, and his 15 grandchildren, and 14 soon to be 16 great-grandchildren, all whose lives were blessed by his indefatigable love, boundless energy, and firm testimony of The Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born to Harley Ervin Workman and Lucille Ramsey, Ross was the eldest of 5 children. He was a grateful and loving son who admired his dad, who taught him how to work hard and love life. He adored his affectionate mom and learned to be the warm and welcoming man he was from her. He loved his younger brothers Gary and Mike Workman and treasured beyond belief his little sisters, Cheryl (Keith) Davis and Patricia (Joe) Jones Horton with whom he shared a close bond.

He graduated from Cyprus High School and got engaged to his highschool sweetheart, Kaye, at the Utah State Capitol on graduation day. Their plans to marry were put on hold when he accepted a call to serve in the Southern States Mission. He labored faithfully for two years as Kaye waited at home patiently. They were married 7 Dec 1962 in the Logan Temple, just 7 days after he came home from his mission.

He attended the University of Utah where he studied chemistry and law. While in school, their first two children were born, Teri and Chris. He worked hard to care for his family during these lean years. His natural curiosity led him to many jobs while getting through school and greatly contributed to the catalog of stories that he would share later in life during his 25 years of full- time church service.

After graduating from law school, he and Kaye had an infant daughter who was called home. They desired to expand their little family and were delighted when they had the blessing of adopting their daughter, Heidi. Two years later a surprise baby, Ryan, joined the family. Ross and Kaye were so grateful for their chance to have children.

Ross worked as a patent attorney for Lynn Foster and Fox, Edwards and Gardner. Having worked as an employee for 15 years, Ross decided to start his own patent law firm. He established Workman, Nydegger and Jensen in 1984 and grew it to be the largest intellectual property law firm in Utah. During his professional career Ross was a respected and admired attorney, arguing cases all over the world. His reputation was so impactful that, despite not working for the firm for almost 30 years, it still bears his name.

A true renaissance man, Ross enjoyed camping, waterskiing, snow skiing, fishing, hiking, and being around other people who could teach him things. He earned his pilot’s license, and was a certified sailboat captain. He spoke German and taught himself French while living in Africa. He was well versed in the scriptures and enjoyed reading books. In his later years he loved family history and spending time with his family. His favorite thing to do was to travel the world hand in hand with his sweet wife. He has traveled to 6 of 7 continents and had many adventures. He always had a recommendation for a good place to stay and an off the path place to see in any corner of the world.

He retired from his professional career in 1997 when he was called to be mission president of the Honolulu Hawaii mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in Hawaii for 3 years. While still serving in Hawaii, Ross was called to the Quorum of the Seventy to serve as a General Authority for the Church. In this capacity he served for many years living much of the time in Ghana, West Africa, where he helped preside over the West Africa Area of the Church. Following this service, he was called back to Hawaii where he and Kaye served as President and Matron of the Laie Hawaii Temple where he oversaw the renovation of that temple. Upon the completion of that 5-year assignment, he was called to be the President of the Church and Family History Mission in Salt Lake City where he learned to love both church history and his own ancestral tale. At the time of his death, he was serving as chair of the Church Corrections Council, where he worked tirelessly to create a structure to help support incarcerated and newly released individuals. He has spent countless hours working with prisoners and former prisoners to improve their lives and teach them to employ the atoning power of Jesus Christ.

His dauntless wife was by his side with her hand in his throughout their many years of service, and countless lives have been touched by their shining example and joyful testimonies.

Throughout his life Ross was an example of someone who keeps his covenants and strove to align his will with that of his Father in Heaven. His testimony was fundamental to his character and his knowledge of the Plan of Salvation was the basis for his optimism. The desire to be like Christ fueled his love for his fellow man and his knowledge of the gospel gave him wisdom. These characteristics drew people to Ross. He had an ability to make everyone feel loved, important and valued just within a few short minutes. He was remarkable. The words of the Savior apply to no one better than they do to Ross Workman:

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Matthew 25:34-40