Church News - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

New mission presidents

Published: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006

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Eight more mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency to begin service about July 1, 2006. Assignments will be announced later. The new leaders are:

Jann M. and Lewis C. Bankhead
Lewis Calder Bankhead, 50, Mapleton 1st Ward, Mapleton Utah Stake; former bishop, counselor in a bishopric, high councilor, stake executive secretary, gospel doctrine teacher and missionary in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. Builder/developer, self-employed. Born in Provo, Utah, to Ried Elwood and Mary Langton Bankhead. Married Carol Jann Miller, seven children.

A Primary teacher and achievement day leader, Sister Bankhead is a former stake Primary president and counselor, ward Young Women president, counselor and adviser, and counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency. Born in American Fork, Utah, to Glenn Eldon and Carol Dawn Warnick Miller.

Deborah B. and Gary B. Doxey
Gary Bushman Doxey, 49, Grove Creek 1st Ward, Pleasant Grove Utah Grove Creek Stake; counselor in the stake presidency; former bishop, ward Young Men president, elders quorum president and missionary in the Chile Santiago South Mission. Administrator and faculty member, Brigham Young University School of Law. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to David Watson and Joanne Bushman Doxey. Married Deborah Burnett, six children.

A ward compassionate service leader, Sister Doxey is a former counselor in ward Primary and Young Women presidencies, secretary and teacher in the ward Relief Society. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Kenneth Leon Burnett and LaRetta Burnside Arabasz.

Jay W. and Ellen O. Eckersley
Jay William Eckersley, 56, Springfield 5th Ward, Springfield Missouri South Stake; former stake president, counselor in stake presidencies, bishop and stake missionary. Retired Chief Executive Officer, St. John's Health System. Born in Ogden, Utah, to William Eckersley Jr. and Barbara Jean Compton Eckersley. Married Ellen Renae Orrock, five children.

A ward activity committee chairman, Sister Eckersley is a former stake public affairs director, institute and seminary teacher, ward Primary president, and counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency. Born in Ogden, Utah, to Phil William and Bernice Child Orrock.

Daniel K. and Patricia S. Frei
Daniel Kemp Frei, 54, Santa Clara 5th Ward, Santa Clara Utah Stake; counselor in the stake presidency; former bishop, high councilor, elders quorum president, gospel doctrine teacher and missionary in the Brazil North Mission. Dentist. Born in St. George, Utah, to Victor Russel and Gwendolyn Kemp Frei. Married Patricia Kaye Smith, three children.

A meetinghouse librarian, Sister Frei is a former president and counselor in a ward Relief Society, Young Women adviser and ward activity committee chairman. Born in Logan, Utah, to Wallace Kay and Bonnie Rae Smith.

Alejandra P. and Sergio A. Gomez
Sergio Alberto Gomez, 40, Belgrano Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina Belgrano Stake; counselor in the stake presidency; former bishop, branch president, high councilor, multi-stake public affairs director and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Membership Area Supervisor for the Church. Born in Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Jose Sergio and Ruth Esther Teves Gomez. Married Maria Alejandra Paez, five children.

A ward Primary president, Sister Gomez is a former ward Primary and Young Women president, counselor in a ward Primary presidency, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. Born in Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina, to Rafael Camilo Paez and Blanca Evarista Lezcano.

Andrea M. and Gene F. Priday
Gene Farnsworth Priday, 59, Sharon Park 2nd Ward, Orem Utah Sharon Park Stake; high councilor; former stake president, Scoutmaster, bishop, Missionary Training Center branch president and missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission. Registrar, BYU. Born in American Fork, Utah, to Leland Forbes and Thelma Farnsworth Priday. Married Andrea Murdock, five children.

A ward missionary and visiting teaching coordinator, Sister Priday is a former stake missionary, ward Young Women president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, stake Young Women camp specialist and Cub Scout leader. Born in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Clinton Van and Joan Packham Murdock.

Charles C. and Janet O. Stoddard
Charles Creer Stoddard, 60, Grand Rapids Ward, Grand Rapids Michigan Stake; ward missionary and Sunday School teacher; former stake president, counselor in a stake presidency, bishop and high councilor. Retired chief executive officer and founder of Grand Bank. Born in Lansing, Mich., to Howard James and Jennie Creer Stoddard. Married Janet Ordway, four children.

A family history consultant, Sister Stoddard is a former ward Primary and Relief Society president, Young Women adviser and Sunday School teacher. Born in Battle Creek, Mich., to Philip Hayden and Martha Steen Ordway.

Ronald C. and Louise L. Tolman
Ronald Chester Tolman, 63, Safford 2nd Ward, Safford Arizona Stake; patriarch; former bishop, high councilor, stake clerk and missionary in the Brazilian Mission. CPA and owner of Comprehensive Microsystems and CMI Quick Copy. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Olester and Anna Urilla Nelson Tolman. Married Louise Larson, seven children.

A ward historian and Relief Society pianist, Sister Tolman is a former stake and ward Relief Society president and counselor, counselor in a ward Young Women presidency and gospel doctrine teacher. Born in Logan, Utah, to Leland Kay and Alda Lillian Lloyd Larson.