Lionel Herman Blau

1941 – 2025

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend.

Lionel Herman Blau, 83, of West Jordan, Utah, passed away at home surrounded by family on February 6th, 2025.

Lionel was born at home in Mesa, Arizona on October 8, 1941, to Herman and Teresa Blau, who raised him in a family surrounded by love. As a boy, he worked on the family farm and in the family plumbing business and then served as a missionary in Berlin at the height of the Cold War. After his mission, he attended Arizona State University where he participated in ROTC and graduated with a Master’s degree. Lionel served with distinction in the Air Force for 26 years, traveling the world with his family and achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring to a small town in Utah. After enjoying retirement for a couple of years, Lionel began a second career as a University administrator at Utah College of Applied Technology, where he eventually re-retired as an Acting President and relocated to an even smaller town in Utah.

Lionel married Lynn in Mesa, Arizona in 1989, creating a blended family to which they each brought four children. Together, they prioritized their faith (including multiple assignments as Military Relations missionaries for The Church of Jesus Church of Latter-day Saints), their commitment to each other, and their love for their children:

Katrina Blau,

Casey Blau and his spouse Pat,

Laurenda Peters and her spouse Jason,

Steve Johnson,

Herman Blau and his spouse Melissa,

Tim Johnson and his spouse Liz,

Andrew Blau and his spouse Aubree, and

Mark Blau and his spouse Maggie.

Lionel was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Glendon Blau, Irelta Bastian, and Naina Heaton.

In addition to his children, Lionel is survived by his siblings Lois Palmer, Delray Blau, and Vardell Blau. His love for his 29 grandkids and 7 great grandkids knows no bounds.

Lionel will always be remembered for his kindness, patience, song, gentle humor, and passion for ice cream.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 11:00 am at the church where he observed worship each Sunday: 8385 South 4800 West, West Jordan, UT 84088. A viewing will take place beforehand, and a brief graveside service will be held afterward at the Utah Veterans’ Cemetery and Memorial Park.