Kenneth Latimer approaches his nearly 90 years of life with a simple philosophy: "It's better to be seen and not heard."

Photo by David Rathbun

Kenneth Latimer, ward clerk in the Winder 12th Ward, Salt Lake Winder West Stake, converses with Paula Robison. Brother Latimer will turn 90 in August.

For members of the Winder 12th Ward, Salt Lake Winder West Stake, Brother Latimer is just that — seen and not much heard from. The man who will become a nonagenarian in August is the tall, slim gentleman in a suit who every week records ward donations and membership records. As ward clerk, he keeps attendance tallies and is there for whatever the bishop needs.

And he's served some 16 bishops over the past 50 years. On and off since the late 1950s, Brother Latimer has served in ward and stake clerk callings, at one time serving temporarily as both ward clerk and in the bishopric. He seems taken aback when anyone suggests it's unusual for someone in their late 80s to serve in demanding ward or stake callings.

"I haven't even thought of it," he said during a telephone interview. "I just enjoy everything I'm doing. I marvel at the information that is available nowadays. Once in a while I think back when I was ward clerk in the Miller Ward. We wrote everything by hand. It's just marvelous to me how we can do things on the record-keeping computer system in the wards."

Recalling the days when Sunday worship services were two, two-hour blocks, Brother Latimer described staying late into the evening recording donations and memberships, sometimes past 11 p.m., then returning home to his wife, Opal, and their five children. "We'd stay after with all those receipts and pennies and nickels and dimes (from donations from children)."

Then came the three-hour block and, later, the computer age. Some 15 years ago, he related, he began using computers for ward membership. Along with his assistant clerks, he read computer software instructions and learned "by trial and error."

Now he loves doing donations and membership records on computer — mainly because it saves time to be with his 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Sister Latimer died on Aug. 29, 2006. "My wife supported me with everything I ever did," he added quietly.

The efficient ward clerk may extol the virtues of computers, but his love for his calling still lies with the people. "I've had an enjoyable time associating with everyone I've come in contact with. I've had lots of experiences that were inspiring to me."

He especially enjoys the children bringing in their small donations. Years ago, he recalled, chuckling, a little boy brought in his tithing and said, "When I grow up I'll be a full tither, and you'll be an old man."

Today, he doesn't think of himself that way, especially since he can't surmise why anyone would not want to keep serving as long as possible. "I feel that this is the most wonderful organization in the world. You can work in it almost from the cradle days through to the end. I never even considered that possibility of not being interested or excited about it."

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