Lorin Earl Squires

Lorin Earl Squires

1946 ~ 2024

Lorin Earl Squires passed away peacefully in his home in Lehi, Utah, on September 6, 2024, surrounded by family, after a 24-year battle with cancer.

Lorin was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 3, 1946, to Lorin Boyd Squires and Viola Wittwer Squires and lived most of his youth in Centerville, Utah, the eldest of seven siblings. He loved horses and began exploring the mountains behind his home from age nine on his horse Asheya. As a self-driven young man, he raised the family garden, established a goat-milking business, earned his Eagle Scout award and was the valedictorian of his high school class. Because of his love for Arabian horses, he participated in a pilot program for the study of Arabic at Bountiful High, which culminated in a study-abroad trip to the Middle East and inspired a life-long love of the region and its people.

After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands, he attended BYU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree concurrently with a commission in the United States Air Force. He earned a Master of Science degree before going on active duty and then spent three years in the Air Force, until the end of the Vietnam era. He returned to BYU for a PhD in Botany, during which time he dated and then married his sweetheart Carolyn Matthews in the Salt Lake Temple.

Early in his career, Lorin had the opportunity to return to the Middle East as a university professor at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, where he and his family lived for five years during the Lebanese civil war and an Israeli invasion. He spent the bulk of the remainder of his career as a professor at the USU branch campus in Vernal, Utah, teaching a wide variety of courses in the life sciences and participating in research studies with the BLM. In 2000-2001, he was blessed to spend a sabbatical year in Palestine as a professor at the Arab American University-Jenin, allowing him to travel extensively and have many precious experiences in the Holy Land. He retired in 2009 and continued residence in Vernal for a total of 37 years.

Lorin loved spending time outdoors in the mountains, rivers and lakes of Utah. He also loved the Cedars of Lebanon, the river estuaries near the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains and hills of Palestine. He grew a mammoth vegetable garden for many years and kept horses, sheep, goats, turkeys and other animals on his “gentleman’s farm.” He was an avid storyteller, enjoyed western music and film, and loved working and playing with his kids and grandkids.

Leaving a legacy of great faith despite adversity and an unflinching testimony of Jesus Christ, he was a serious student and teacher of the Gospel. He is remembered for the wisdom and spirit he brought to many Gospel Doctrine Sunday School, seminary and institute classes as well as his service as a Branch President of the Church of Jesus Christ in Beirut, Lebanon, service in other branch presidencies and bishoprics and many other church callings. He faithfully ministered to those around him, and, after retiring, served a mission in the New York New York South Mission with Carolyn.

Lorin is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn Matthews Squires, five children, Matthew (Addy) Squires, Jamila (Donald Fleming) Squires, Sarah (Ryan) Drollette, Julia (Joshua) Templin, and David (Mandy) Squires, fourteen grandchildren, and his six siblings.

Funeral services for Lorin will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Dairy View Ward Chapel, located at 1631 East 900 North, Lehi, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church.