Earnest Lynn Farnsworth of Roswell, Georgia passed away on January 4, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Karen Farnsworth, his 6 children Alan (Ellen), Camille, Aime (Jerry), Christopher (Fabricia), Kyle (Maria), and Joye (Matt), 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his immediate family, Lynn is survived by his brother Jack (Ellen) and sister-in-law Sandy Farnsworth. He was preceded in death by his parents Eva Elma (Haynie) and Carl Alonzo Farnsworth, and brothers Larry and Fred Farnsworth.
Lynn was born January 18, 1942 in Douglas, Arizona to Eva and Carl Farnsworth. The family soon moved to Farmington, New Mexico and Lynn was raised there on the family cattle ranch. He was the only little boy in America who was a cowboy but didn't want to be Roy Rogers – he wanted to be a pilot. So much so, that at the age of 14 he fudged his age and joined the New Mexico National Guard.
He graduated from Farmington High School in 1959. He then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to France, Belgium and Luxemburg from 1960-1962, after which he returned to BYU to receive degrees in Political Science and French. He was a member of BYU Air Force ROTC and upon graduation was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force.
He received his pilot wings at Vance AFB in 1966, after which he served three tours in Vietnam flying various aircraft including the EC-47, F-100 and F-4 Fighter. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Purple Hearts. He was shot down twice while flying as a Misty FAC on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Lynn served our country for 36 years, retiring in 1994 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While flying as an F-105 instructor with the Kansas Air National Guard, he simultaneously flew with Eastern Airlines, ValuJet, and Air Tran Airways. In 2007 he began racing his own plane - Miss Karen II - a Lancair Super Legacy, at the Reno Air Races. He flew in the races every year through 2019.
In 2020, Lynn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This ended his flying but did not end him being Superman. After receiving the most arduous chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he defied the odds and was declared cancer-free. Over the next 3.5 years he developed a new interest in other flying objects - birds – and often commented that crows landed like Navy pilots.
Above all else, Lynn loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his family. When he wasn't coaching or watching events for his children and grandchildren, he enjoyed watching baseball and BYU sports.
Lynn will be buried at The Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA on Friday, January 12th. A celebration of his life will be held the same day at 12:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Norcross Street in Roswell, GA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lynn's name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.