SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Charles Elliott Richards, age 100, passed away on Oct. 19, 2023. He was born Feb. 19, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joel & Georgina Felt Richards and was the fourth of five children.

Elliott was raised in a happy, gospel-centered home. He attended East High School and played saxophone in a dance band. While a student at the University of Utah, he was a member of the ROTC and was called up to serve as an Army Lieutenant in World War II. He was stationed in the occupation forces in Japan. While there, he helped teach and baptize Tatsui Sato, the first Japanese convert after the war, who played a big part in establishing the LDS Church in Japan.

Elliott married his sweetheart, Margaret Farnsworth, in the Salt Lake Temple on February 20th, 1943. Two children were born to Elliott and Margaret before he finished his Army service.

Once home, he took advantage of the GI Bill and graduated from the University of Utah Medical School in 1950. Elliott's practice as a Pediatrician at Bryner Clinic was central to his life's work. Over thirty-five years of devoted service, he cared for thousands of infants and children. His skills and his gentle demeanor blessed many families besides his own.

He and Margaret became the parents of twelve children. Despite his busy schedule, Elliott and Margaret worked together to raise a wonderful family. Daily routines, life's lessons, camping trips, reunions, yard work, education, and church service united children, young and old, again in a happy, gospel-centered home.

Elliott was an enthusiastic tennis player until age 92. In his final years, he found much joy in reflecting on the choice experiences he had and the special people he came to love while serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve as a bishop of the University of Utah 12th Ward for married students. He also served as a Temple Square guide for twenty years and was 2nd Counselor in the Ensign Stake Presidency. With Margaret as his companion, he also served as Philippines Cebu East & Cebu Mission President, Philippines Area Executive Secretary, Jordan River Temple President, Salt Lake City Inner-City Missionary, and Temple Missionary Coordinator. One of his last opportunities was to work with the Missionary Department reviewing missionary medical forms.

Elliott is preceded in death by his wife Margaret who passed away in 2004. Other loved ones who passed before him are his parents, his brothers Wayne, Brent and Joel, his sister Helen R. Fellows, and a granddaughter Shauna Young.

He is survived by his twelve children: Marilee (Denny, deceased) Bonny, Kent F. (Marsha) Richards, Dianne (Duane) Powell, Janice (Larry) Colton, Joan (Kumen, deceased) Davis, Bob (Sue, deceased; Vicki) Richards, Doug (Linda) Richards, Boyd (Carolyn) Richards, Holly (Roger) Young, Steve (Shelley) Richards, Mike (Becky) Richards, and Jeff (Christy) Richards. His large family includes twelve children and spouses, sixty-nine grandchildren, one hundred eighty-three great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hilltop Ward, 589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City. Friends may greet the family Friday night from 6:00 until 8:00 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, and from 9:30 until 10:30 on Saturday at the Church. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.