L Kirk Tolman

L. (Lawrence) Kirk Tolman, recently of Highland Utah, passed away suddenly, but most certainly on his own terms, May 30th, 2025 after completing a bit more than 90 years with his always appreciative family and friends.

Kirk Tolman was born in Central Valley Utah, July 2 4th, 1934; the fourth child and favorite son of Lawrence and Zina Tolman. In his youth he lived various places in California, Utah, and Idaho; becoming familiar with farming, care of livestock, and also becoming an extremely gifted mechanic. He had a huge fascination of engines and love of cars. As a teenager he was able to basically build his own. He loved modifying engines for peak performance and controls and gears to accommodate his left-handedness. He often recounted an impromptu road race where he very nearly outpaced a brand new Hudson Hawk (the preferred performance race car of the day) in his souped up coupe and barely roadworthy tires. He would often recall the fun and thrills speeding around the open rural roads of southern Idaho. And yet, with no regret he traded it all for a suit and a briefcase when he was called to the Central States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

His mission changed his life. While serving in many college towns around Ohio he decided he needed to further his education. After his mission Kirk enrolled at Brigham Young University where he received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mathematics. He pursued a PhD in Mathematics at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. There he met his wife, Frances Garcia. The two young people were so infatuated with each other they got married twice; first in Albuquerque on the 9th of June, 1964; and again the next day, June 10th in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City Utah to seal the deal for always. Kirk and Frances are the wonderful parents of 8 children.

With His PhD in hand, Kirk and Frances settled in Provo, Utah where Kirk obtained his dream job as a Professor of Mathematics at BYU, a position he enjoyed, with the spirit of the University and its academic environment for more than 40 years.

L. Kirk Tolman was a humble yet magnificent mind. He sought no recognition, but saw results of formulas he produced and algorithms he created. He was a gifted mechanic; he wrote music and poetry. He created math-based works of art. He was a very competent architect; building his own parents' home in Twin Falls Idaho with his father, and reconfiguring the home in Provo where he raised his family. He was both right and left brained. Creative and logical. The combination was awe inspiring. But mostly, he was full of Goodness. He was always trying to improve, and always worthy, and Proud of his family who loves him forever.

Kirk was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Zina; sisters Beth and Orla; his son Lawrence Garcia Tolman, and daughter Angela Shah. He is survived by his sister Clara, his wife Frances, and children Sheryl (James), Ariel (Andrew), Valerie (Edmond), Mathew (Nicole), Nathan (Sinamar), and Jason, his daughter-in-law Julianne and son-in-law Ronak Shah. He leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren...and counting.

Services for Kirk will be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Anderson and SonsLone Peak Chapel. Interment will be held Saturday,June 7, 2025 at the Marion Cemetery in Marion Idaho.

To join the services for Kirk, please click the link below:

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