Lon Raymond Searle

Lon Raymond Searle was born on October 2, 1968 in Vernal, Utah, just as Venus diverted and Saturn parted ways, which foretold the arrival of the OG tightwad and CPA. On June 26, 2026, Lon completed his earthly journey. It was also his oldest daughter Brinley’s 30th birthday. In the quiet hospital room, his youngest daughter and wife were by his side. In death and in life, to the very last moment, Lon lived fully—on his own terms. Raised in the LDS faith by proud parents Larry and Luanne, Lon was the fourth of six children from a humble, hard working farming family, and arguably the most tenacious. There remains comfort in their land, the Basin and Diamond Mountain’s trout-laden cool waters, Uintah’s low valleys and hillside peaks, and the ponds, swimming holes, wild streams and creeks where his siblings grew up. Colleagues and friends alike knew Lon as a genuinely uplifting presence. No matter the room or occasion, he was a welcome breath of fresh air. Though life dealt him more than his share of loss, he was far too remarkable to ever be considered a “Loser”, despite his unwavering love for Weezer. And, despite his fondness for a good argument, the L in his name always stood for his favorite equation: Love + Light = Life. Outstanding in competitive academics from a young age, Lon stood out as Student Body President, adopting the slogan, “Vote for Lon-mower” and emerging victorious after trusty younger brother and advisor Butch swayed the sophomore class. School buddies Troy, Bruce, Colt, and Jared, the “Wally World Gang,” remember Lon with a fondness usually reserved for family. He was also an inspired debater, where he and best friend Troy argued with such bemused veracity that they earned debate scholarships to Utah State University. Lon also received the Presidential Scholarships from both BYU and Utah State. Being a notorious tightwad, he naturally chose the better financial offer, attended Utah State, earned both his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and his Masters in Information Systems, and met his far less fiscally inclined partner in crime Mary Jane Layton. They were married for eternity August 26, 1993 in the Logan Temple. Lon first sharpened his aptitude for service by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the people of Taichung, Taiwan. His warm spirit of generosity lives on with them. After an internship with the CIA in Washington, D.C., he returned home to finish school, marry the love of his life, and begin his career. He began his illustrious career at Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO). Through a highly distinguished, practically oxen-like work ethic, Lon rose from an entry-level position to Chief Financial Officer in just over a decade. An interview highlighting his accomplishments during his eighteen years at YESCO can still be found on Forbes.com. After sustaining a broken neck that miraculously left him unparalyzed, Lon’s life took a new path—one requiring even greater endurance, yet one he and his family ultimately found refining and deeply rewarding. While still recovering in a halo brace, he successfully completed a highly selective CFO hiring process for Northwest Cosmetics Labs in Idaho Falls. Lon claimed he lived alone in Idaho for a year before his wife and children joined him because they were too stubborn to accept that Idaho was their fate. He insisted this was one of the greatest challenges of his all-too-short life—despite the many harrowing medical trials that followed, including Multiple Myeloma, a stem cell transplant, open-heart surgery to repair a pulmonary artery aneurysm, CAR T-cell therapy, and sarcoma. Throughout every trial, Lon leaned on a higher power and was blessed with Superman-like grit. Not merely to survive, but to thrive spiritually, personally, and professionally. He later founded Agile CFO with his son, Tristan, and business partner Stephanie Wayment. Soon after, his friend and former NCL CEO, Matt Bryant, invited Lon to become a business partner and Chief Financial Officer of Artisan Labs, a contract manufacturer of cosmetics and skincare products. Lon also brought his trademark zeal for excellence to the nationwide real estate company Property Management Inc. (PMI), founded by Steve Hart in partnership with Lon’s brother-in-law, Christopher Layton. Lon possessed the rare talent and vision to enrich lives professionally and personally, on the local and global scale. One of Lon’s proudest accomplishments was helping establish PMI’s presence in the Philippines. More than building a business, he built people. He believed in mentoring others, opening doors, and creating opportunities. To the many colleagues and friends there, he was more than a leader—he was their greatest champion and friend. It is a statistical certainty that his influence will continue to ripple through countless lives. Lon’s hobbies included praying to the laptop gods, traveling and hiking with family and friends, making those around him laugh, even when it wasn’t intentional, and never missing a day of Duolingo. Sometimes he was a little too adventurous—like when he broke his neck mountain biking or hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim while undergoing cancer treatment, or walked more than one- hundred miles of the Camino de Santiago with sarcoma silently growing in his hip. He simply assumed it was a hip fracture-no big deal. Above all, Lon’s greatest loves were his wife, his four children, and his grandson named after him. In a family renowned for generosity, Lon still managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with his remarkable siblings: eldest sister Lori (Thad), sister Lynne (Wally), and brothers Lane (Callissa), Larence (Tylee), and Lance (Ryshann). Lon’s legacy lives on through his children, Brinley (Enzo), Tristan, Addison (Cam), Meillee, and his favorite grandson, Raymond Jerry; his in-laws Danna, Alison, and Christopher, his extended family and dear friends, and of course his dogs, Rey and Chewy. Lon lived with uncommon courage, grit, unwavering faith, and a heart that never stopped serving others. His laughter, intelligence, wisdom, and love leave an immeasurable void, but his example will continue to guide all who knew him. There are simply no words equal to Lon’s goodness or the hole his temporary absence has left in our broken hearts. Yet because of our faith in God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we know his story is not over. There are still many glorious chapters to be written. We are better because he was here. We love you Lonard. Please join us as we celebrate Lon’s extraordinary life on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at 1450 E. Raddon Drive, Sandy, Utah. Pie—one of Lon’s favorite treats will be served. A link to the service will be provided later.

Lon Raymond Searle

October 2, 1968 - June 26, 2026