Verlan Von Fullmer

Verlan Von Fullmer, 87, passed away on November 27, 2024, and is now reunited with his sweetheart, Janet. Verlan was born in Salem, Idaho in 1937, the youngest of six, to Augusta Ellen Teeples and John Charles Fullmer. Verlan was a talented artist, educator, and gardener with a curiosity for the world and a passion for creative expression.

Verlan attended Sugar-Salem High School in Idaho then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia. When his mission ended, instead of traveling home with the other missionaries, he boarded a freighter and traveled around the Pacific. Verlan then studied art and education at Ricks College. During summers off, he worked building roads in Yellowstone National Park.

While Verlan was teaching at Bear River Jr. High in Garland, Utah he was reluctantly assigned a college student aid. Reluctant until Janet Rose walked into his classroom. Janet and Verlan married on Friday, the 13th of August 1965. The two artistic souls honeymooned in Montana ghost towns and camped through Yellowstone. They enjoyed gathering native plants for make natural paints and dyes to use in their art.
Verlan and Janet moved to the Tongan Islands where they taught school and organized the first art exhibit in Tonga which was opened by the king and queen in a white-glove ceremony. Verlan immersed himself in the local culture, participating in kava-kava ceremonies with his new friends.

Verlan and Janet then lived on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands for 15 years where he taught art and photography at the Jr./Sr. High School and directed the Ekatak—the beloved Kwaj yearbook. He retired from teaching after 20 years at Skyline High School, in Salt Lake City where he built a successful pottery program. Verlan inspired thousands of students, encouraging their talents, and building their confidence. He’d always say, “let’s make some masterpieces.”

Verlan and Janet settled in Midway, Utah, and enjoyed traveling to locations across the U.S. Verlan dedicated his time to gardening, painting, and physical fitness. He never missed a workout and was voted “most inspirational member” at his gym. Verlan’s creativity was known across the Heber Valley, and he enjoyed hosting guests to stroll his garden and take in his elaborate Christmas displays. The decorations on his car roof top made him quite famous around town. He engineered a roof-top system to display various holiday symbols like a Leprechaun in March, a flying witch in October, and a floral heart in February. He loved the joy it brought to the community.

Verlan’s many talents included drawing, textile art and weaving, pottery, oil painting, and mixed-media art. He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—serving in several roles along with a two- and half-year mission at the Family History Library at BYU.

Verlan will be dearly missed by his friends and family: son Justin (Shannon), and daughter Arikka (Matthew). He has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Verlan was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, wife Janet, and son Nathan.

Viewing and art stroll held Friday, December 13, 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 14, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Followed by a funeral service on Saturday, December 14 at 11 a.m. Services held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Midway Chapel, 165 N Center St, Midway, Utah. Interment in the Midway City Cemetery.

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