As a community of faculty, staff, and students, we extend our deepest condolences to the Fulton family as they mourn the peaceful passing of our college’s namesake, Ira A. Fulton, on August 21, 2026.
Many have dedicated time and resources to the BYU Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering, and among those supporters, Ira chose to use his influence and resources to leave an expansive and unique mark on our college.
Beginning in 1999, he and his wife, Mary Lou Fulton, began to contribute to the university campus-wide with financial donations dedicated to advancing student resources and technology, improving facilities, including the newly built Engineering Building, and funding students’ education with scholarships.
Since the beginning of his contributions to our college, Ira met with and mentored students, striving to provide fresh opportunities for them. His financial donations have strengthened each of the college’s six departments and several programs.
The Ira A. Fulton Endowed Chair provides important funds for the college each year. The seed funding, research mentorships, and fellowships made possible by the endowment led to research accomplishments that improve the human condition and increase the college’s institutional prestige. The endowment also contributes to student success by enabling mentoring by exceptional faculty and staff, which then prepares students well for their technical disciplines and service beyond their education at BYU.
The community of people who have been influenced by Ira’s generous philanthropy and example of hard work is continually expanding. His loved ones emphasize that Ira spent his life helping people help themselves, leaving a legacy of generosity and opportunity.
"Mary Lou and I love education and the students at BYU," Ira once said. "You never know what kind of an impact a good education will have on someone's life. The positive effects can go on for generations."
From the beginning of his life, living in Tempe, Arizona during the Great Depression, to a life devoted to entrepreneurship, faith, service, and his beloved family, Ira has left a “positive effect” that cannot be understated.
"We are grateful for Ira’s generosity, his support of Brigham Young University and our college, and his belief in our students," dean of the college, Tim McLain, said. "His contributions have had a lasting impact on BYU, the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering, and the lives and careers of many engineers. We will remember him with appreciation and strive to carry forward the values of service and integrity that guided his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this time.”
Those looking to celebrate and support Ira and his family can visit his obituary here.
