Music
Top 5 Favorite Bands
1 – The Moody Blues
2 – Kansas
3 – Led Zeppelin
4 – The Beatles
5 – Styx
Top 5 Favorite Albums
1 – Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin)
2 – Boston (Boston)
3 – Leftoverture (Kansas)
4 – Moontan (Golden Earring)
5 – Grand Illusion (Styx)
Top 5 Favorite Songs
1 – Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
2 – Carry On My Wayward Son (Kansas)
3 – Question (The Moody Blues)
4 – Baba O’Reilly (The Who)
5 – Come Sail Away (Styx)
Utah Man
Graduated from the University of Utah
He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, taking a number of electives in Nuclear Engineering. An avid Utah sports fan, he was at the 2005 Fiesta Bowl victory over Pitt, and the 2008 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.
Obituary
Life
Brian Douglas Mercer, lover of M*A*S*H, maker of many a spreadsheet, devotee of the Moody Blues, organizer of backyard volleyball, “Utah man”, philosopher of nuclear physics, Dr Pepper aficionado, and ski junkie passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024 at the age of 67 in his home in Kaysville, Utah. He was born October 28, 1956 in Bountiful, Utah, the youngest of 7 children to Kay Lloyd Mercer and Elva Vivian Schulthies. When he was 16 his mother, Elva, died from complications after open heart surgery. Several years later Kay remarried Kathryn “Fern” Jeppson. After graduating from Viewmont High and living at the lake in Mantua, he served in the Johannesburg, South Africa Portuguese-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he met his future wife Maria da Conceição (São) de Figueiredo. They were married in 1983 and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake temple in 1984. They both attended the University of Utah where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering with an interest in Nuclear Engineering. He was proud to have a diverse career, working in the aerospace, automotive, and biomedical fields at companies such as Flexpoint, Groen Brothers Aviation, Hyclone, and most recently BAE.
Passion
Brian worked hard, cared for his family, and served those around him—he was a devoted youth Sunday School teacher. But he also loved to play. His favorite times were sitting by the lake after a day of hard work and skiing, the sun setting, the sky turning red, talking to family and friends while sweetly sipping his Dr Pepper. To be in his orbit was to experience effervescent energy and vitality. His favorite rock bands are (in order, based on his most recently revised spreadsheet): The Moody Blues, Kansas, and Led Zeppelin. Stairway to Heaven is his favorite song. He filled the world with his revolving joy and good-natured laugh. He loved watching and rewatching his favorite TV shows and movies, always comedies. M*A*S*H, The Goldbergs, and most recently, Frasier, were constantly on our TV. Watching Back to the Future III, Galaxy Quest, and Groundhog Day are required annual family traditions. He was so excited to show us a scene or joke that he had watched earlier that day or week, laughing just as hard as he had the first time, sharing with us the awe of everyday amusement.
Legacy
Nothing can define Brian Mercer, but he will always be remembered for his waterskiing. For more than 60 years he spent as much time as he could at the lake. His haven was at Call’s Fort waterski lake with his 4th child, the bright red jump that can be seen from I-15. In the 1970s he helped build the jump at Mantua. In 2003 he moved it to Calls Fort. He fixed up, fought with, and loved that jump because it allowed him to fly. It was always a spectacle and a privilege to see him fly over 100 feet through the air, pumping his fist afterwards and yelping in glee. When not jumping himself, he was cajoling and coaching anyone within earshot, insisting that they wouldn’t get hurt if they too went over the 5 foot ramp. He believed in everyone and wanted others to feel the same exhilaration and lift that he felt. He is the reigning 2023 Mens 7 Jump National Champion. He went out as a champion, never to be defeated.
Family
