Gary Steven Canham

Gary Steven Canham was fun-loving and witty, independent and passionate. He never took grief from anyone and he showered love on those close to him. He adored his "sweetie," Lisa. He was his sons' champion. He was a goofball with his granddaughters.

And he left this life too soon, dying April 7, 2018 from liver failure. He went by Steve and if you knew him, you'd know he was anything but formal. Instead of a traditional funeral, the family is holding a celebration of life at the Starks Funeral Parlor (3651 South 900 East) on Saturday, April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. No formal dress, please. Quests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building.

Born on May 14, 1960, Steve grew up and got in trouble in Salt Lake City. He's the son of Gary H. and Kay Brundage Canham and the older brother of Bob and Michael. He's preceded in death by his older brother, Gregory, and his sister, Melinda.

Lisa Faucett fell in love with Steve, the long-haired, big sideburned student, who wrote poetry and played pick-up basketball at Jordan Junior High School. They attended West High School and by his 16th birthday, he knew they would marry. They did, 3 1/2 years later on Nov. 9, 1979. They made their life in the Highland Park area, where they raised their three sons, Matthew (Leah), Kristopher (Marin), and Adam (Tara). Steve coached Junior Jazz games, went to school performances and wrestled in the living room. He believed in his boys, was as much their friend as he was their father and remained a guiding influence as each became successful in life.

Steve and Lisa were always a team, starting out poor, they provided a stable middle class life for their family and found enjoyment in taking walks, traveling to places such as Hawaii and London, and, most recently, caring for their four grandchildren – Kris' daughters, Mia and India, and Adam's daughters, Evalyn and June. Those girls adored him. Steve let Mia do his makeup and hair. He bought a disco ball and held a dance party for the younger three. 

His hobbies included golf, rooting for the Utah Jazz and the Utah Utes, and agitating the management at Kennecott copper, where he worked for 24 years, most of them as a control room operator. He also served as a union steward.

A private interment service will take place sometime after the celebration of life at the Memorial Estates Mountain View cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please register as an organ donor and/or donate to the Utah Donor Registry at yesutah.org.