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Bishops of La Sierra Ward
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Bishop Major A. Nilson (May, 1969 - 1972)	Brief Biography In May 1969 Major A. Nilson became the first bishop of the newly created La Sierra Ward with George L. Moore and A. Max Germaine as counselors. In 1968 Bishop Nilson, then Bishop of Carmichael 2nd Ward, was directed by President Melvin C. Woodland to obtain land for a ward building. Four-acres were purchased at the corner of Locust and Garfield Avenues.  Acting as agent bishop, Bishop Nilson was instrumental in obtaining the plans and overseeing the construction of the current La Sierra Ward building. Counselors were George L. Moore and A. Max Germaine.
Bishop L. Garrett Myers (May, 1972 - 1977)	Biography I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, the eldest of five children: three boys and two girls. In 1965, we moved to Carmichael, where we lived for the next 38 years, during which time I worked at the UCD Medical Center and at Kaiser as a Psychiatric Social Worker. In May 1971, I was called to be the Bishop of the La Sierra Ward when the two existing Carmichael Wards were re-aligned into three wards. In 1965, we moved to Carmichael, where we lived for the next 38 years, during which time I worked at the UCD Medical Center and at Kaiser as a Psychiatric Social Worker. In May 1971, I was called to be the Bishop of the La Sierra Ward when the two existing Carmichael Wards were re-aligned into three wards. During my period as Bishop, I was blessed with four great counselors: Max Germaine, whose #3 son married my oldest daughter; and Al Parker, Barry Blackburn, and Gary Summerhays; the latter three all became Bishops of the La Sierra Ward. In 1999, my wife Luise, and the mother of our five children, passed away. In 2002, the Lord recognized my grief and gave me Lynn, a truly humble and gifted woman and who is well loved by all my family. During my life, I have been called to a number of different Stake and Ward assignments and hope the opportunity will allow me to be called to many more. Currently, I am the Sunday School President of the Tempo Park Ward, and teach a weekly Institute Gospel Class for the Citrus Heights Stake. In addition, my wife and I serve as Mission Apartment Advisors in the California Roseville Mission.td>
Bishop J. Barrie Blackburn (July, 1977 - 1982)	Biography Barrie had served his mission in Northern California, and even though his love of Southern Utah will never die, he fell in love with California. After starting his family in Southern California, Barrie and Doreen moved their family, three daughters and their remaining son, to Carmichael in 1967. (One of his favored memories from his first view of Sacramento was of the flood plain during the winter, in full flood stage; he asked his companion if it was the Pacific Ocean.) As a salesman and then a District Manager for Oakite Chemical Corporation, he got to travel his old mission grounds often and continue his love affair with Northern California. After serving as a Counselor to Bishop Myers, Barrie was called as Bishop of the La Sierra Ward in July, 1977. The beginning of his calling included guiding his family through the final stages of Blair's leukemia, thus leaving Barrie to be the last male surrounded by three daughters (Janice in college, Connie graduating High School, Yvonne still in Primary) and his wife. (This challenge may be why he respected all women). Yet, with the same skills he used throughout his life, and honed on his mission, he continued to confront all challenges. His love for people only grew: his desire to reach out to the lost sheep, to be there for every major milestone of the "active" sheep, and his desire for everyone in the Ward to know the love of our Heavenly Father. During his service, his counselors included George Stott, Gary Summerhays, Dave Rosenlof, and Dan Bachlor. These men, and most all the members of the ward, are remembered in the abundant photos he took at every ward event, most everyone's baptism and wedding, and miscellaneous activities - his personal photo journal that he shared with anyone. Work required Barrie and Doreen to move to Chicago in 1983 (shoveling snow was never his favorite chore). With retirement they returned to California to be back in the place they always called home. Soon after returning, Barrie was diagnosed with cancer and a year later, on September 23, 1999, moved on to his next calling (after using this time to reach out and check up on many from his La Sierra days). There is no question he still busy and, we believe, working with both his sons, Robert and Blair.
Bishop John G.Anderson (January, 1982 - 1986)	Biography I was born in Moroni, Utah in 1929 and moved to McGill Nevada at age eleven . After graduating from White Pine High School in 1947 I continued my western migration to California. Carla and I were married in 1952 and Coray was born shortly before graduating from the USC Dental School in 1954. I then spent a hitch in the Navy where Gary and Martin were born. Moved to Carmichael in 1959 into Carmichael Ward, where I was called as a counselor to Bishop Joe Hill. Then David and Steven arrived. Called to be Bishop of the La Sierra ward in 1982 where I was greatly blessed with the fellowship of wonderful people , as well as great leaders . To many to list here, but I need to mention some who have moved on to heavenly spheres. Nancy Moulton, a Great Relief Society President, John Lucena,,Barrie Blackburn, George Stott, Glen Haynes. Waren and Annie Heise, Morgan Geenwood,Clarence Jenson,Cathy Seamons, Robert Reiche, and Jim and Mary Lou Lahm,all who made La Sierra Ward a great ward to live in. Had the greatest of counselors with David Rosenlof, Dan Bachelor, Don Swain and Dennis Kyler.
Bishop George Stott (April, 1986 - 1987)	Biography Counselors were Dan Bachler, Richard Macfarlane, and Randy Andrus.
Bishop Don Maughn (November, 1987 - 1992)	Brief Biography Don was born and raised Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from University of Utah in Civil Engineering. As state stated in his life history "college years helped me develop spiritually and socially." Don was approached by his Bishop about a mission call, but before they could get the papers in, the church leaders had decided to discontinue sending out full time missionaries due to World War II. Don first met the love of his life, Beverly in the spring of 1943. Don & Beverly were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 14, 1944. Don & Beverly have 6 children. On July 29, 1954, Don started to have pains in his back and after many doctor visits during that week it was realized that his was paralyzed and had polio. Don never let that hold him back though. He ended up working in a high government office in Washington DC and in California State Government. He also enjoyed serving people and serving in the Church. With his physical limitation of being confined to a wheelchair he thought he would never be able to serve as a Bishop. He was wrong; his love for the saints over came any physical limitation that he had. Don loved the members of the La Sierra Ward. Counselors were Dan Bachler, Richard Macfarlane, and Garry Sewell.
Bishop Dan Bachler (March, 1992 - 1997)	Brief Biography I was born and raised in Montana and graduated from BYU, with a BS in Business Management. I finished the Air Force Officer Training Course a year later. My last assignment was at McClellan AFB in Sacramento and it was there that Bro and Sis Stott, mostly Sis Stott, introduced me to Nancy at an M-Men & Gleaner Halloween party. We were married 8 months later in 1970, at the Oakland Temple. We came back to La Sierra Ward in 1973 and we raised our three kids in La Sierra Ward. I was privileged to serve in the La Sierra Bishopric for about 18 of those years. We left in 1997 and went to South Jordan, Utah for ten years. We now live in Springville, Utah,in an active adult community. Currently Nancy and I are serving as service missionaries at the Bishop's storehouse. We are also teaching the 10 and 11 year old girls in Primary, and we are having a ball. I readily recommend retirement! I served as a counselor under Bishops Blackburn, Anderson, Stott, and Maughan. I served as Bishop from 1992 to 1997.The counselors I served with were Don Mathis, Gary Sewell, Doug Porter, George Moore, and Robert VanLindburgh.
Bishop Gary Summerhays (March, 1997 - 1998)	Brief Biography I was born and raised in Salt Lake City. My father was a coach at the University of Utah (Baseball, Skiing, and Football). My mother was a West Virginia farm girl who was a registered nurse, and followed Dad to Zion at the end of WWII. I am the middle son of three boys, Bruce being the oldest and Lynn the youngest. I graduated from Highland High School in SLC in 1963 and received my B.S. degree from the U of U in 1967, and my Masters of Science degree in 1974. My high school sweetheart consented to marriage and we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, Dec. 17, 1965. I was hired to teach and coach at Del Campo High School in the fall of 1968 and have been teaching at the same school to this date. Lynn and I have been blessed with twelve wonderful children (6 sons and 6 daughters), and 16 amazing grandchildren. I am honored to have served in many capacities in the church and am currently serving as a Ward Missionary, teaching the Gospel Essentials class, and the Temple Preparation class in the Carmichael 1st ward. Counselors were F. Gordon Loveridge and Lyle Zufelt.
Bishop Allen B. Parker (March, 1998 - 2003)	Brief Biography Al Parker was born June 8, 1935 in Corcoran, CA. Raised in Fresno and moved to Sacramento in 1946. His family settled in Carmichael in September, 1949 when his father opened a Shell gas station on Fair Oaks Blvd. near Robertson. Al attended San Juan High School where he met his "bride to be" Marilyn Alt. They were neighbors on Kenneth Ave. and dated through high school. She graduated early and Al graduated on June 9, 1953. They were married by Bishop Howard Cunningham at a wedding Chapel in Sacramento on June 14, 1953 at age 18. Al joined the Church on January 1, 1955 and they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on August 31, 1959. They are the parents of 3 children. Wayne, Cheryl, and Dorothy (Dodie). All the kids were raised in Carmichael. Al and Marilyn now have 11 grand children and 4 great grand- children. Al and Marilyn have served in only one other Ward since they were married when Al was transferred to Los Angeles with the CA Highway Patrol. Both have served in a number of leadership positions. Marilyn as a Ward and Stake Primary President (Sacramento East Stake) and Relief Society President in La Sierra Ward. Al was a counselor in the Bishopric under L. Garrett Myers. He was called as Bishop of La Sierra Ward on March 22, 1998 and was released February 23, 2003. His counselors were Russell Harper and Lyle Zufelt. He served in the Carmichael Stake Presidency from April 27, 2003 under President Dave Hill until November 2004. Al and Marilyn relocated to Payson, UT in October of 2004 to be closer to family and enjoy being with grand children. Counselors were Russell Harper, II, and Lyle Zufelt.
Bishop Gary Whiting (February, 2003 - 2007)	Brief Biography Robin and I moved to Carmichael in 1987 where our three sons (Jeremy, Ben and Mike) were all born and raised. I have worked in the OB/GYN department at Kaiser South Sacramento since 1986. After receiving my calling as bishop, Coray Anderson and Ralph Knowlton served as my wonderful counselors. After Ralph was later called to a stake position, I was blessed to serve with Bret Hogge as my counselor. It was my special privilege to serve with many other very capable ward leaders but particularly important to any bishop were the Relief Society presidents during my tenure, Marilyn Parker and Alice Braun. In April 2007 the ward boundaries were realigned and I completed the remainder of my five years of service as bishop of Carmichael 1st Ward, trading places with Bishop Smith who became bishop of La Sierra Ward.
Bishop Steven L. Smith (April, 2007 - 2009)	Biography Counselors: Todd A. Wilson, Bret Hogge, and R. Dustin Macfarlane.
Bishop Ralph V. Knowlton (April, 2009 - Present)	Biography Counselors: Karl R. Clayson, Douglas R. Porter. Sustained April 19, 2007.

 

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