John Alden Wightman 1921 ~ 2011
John Alden ("Jack") Wightman died of prostate cancer surrounded by family at his home in Taylorsville on January 26, 2011.He was born June 30, 1921 in Payson, Utah to William David and Sarah Florence Wright Wightman. He was the youngest of eight children. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He married Eleanor Collin Faulkner on November 30, 1941 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He attended the University of Utah and graduated in mathematics from Brigham Young University. He was the first of his family to obtain a college degree. He left a legacy of love, learning, service and hard work to his 11 children. He was a well-read lover of knowledge. He enjoyed Italian opera and Russian novels. He had the gift of tongues. He studied German, and was self-taught in Spanish, Russian and Italian. Dad was prominent in the insurance business. His career spanned 35 years in Utah, Nevada and California. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served missions with his wife on Temple Square, and in Italy and Australia. He was an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple. He was an avid runner from a very early age. Beginning at age 75 and continuing for nine years, he completed an annual walk from his home in Taylorsville, Utah to his birthplace in Payson. Also beginning at age 75 he competed in the Senior Games in St. George, Utah, winning eight gold and two silver medals in the triathlon and a gold medal in the 5K. He is survived by his wife, and children Barbara Pomeranz, John Jr. (Jessie), David (Brenda), Priscilla Stimpson, Peggy Davis (Victor Kurlytis), Linda (Mark) Hamilton, Lynn (Nancy), Mark (Alisa), Michael (Luke Worrell), Chris (Aimee) and Susan Olsen (Kelly Angell); 28 grandchildren and 23 great-grand-children. One grandchild, Kristal Ann, preceded him in death. We will all miss him dearly. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 31, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at the Taylorsville 16th Ward, 3495 West 4850 South, with a viewing on Sunday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Redwood Memorial, 6500 South Redwood Road and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment to follow at Redwood Memorial. Our family wishes to thank his many caregivers at the VA Hospital and especially his hospice nurse Marina Miller.