John Cannon Brewer

John Cannon Brewer passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, February 18, 2022, due to coronary arrest. John was born June 6, 1950, in San Francisco, California, to Joan Cannon and Raymond Glen Brewer. The family soon moved to West Los Angeles where he attended school and graduated from University High School. As a child he was extremely bright and energetic but struggled in his early years with dyslexia. He attended an excellent school on the UCLA campus, where his art talent was encouraged and he gained competency in the fundamentals.  He loved athletic activities, including varsity football in high school, but his real passion was surfing. Following high school, he enrolled in Santa Monica College until he left on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Gulf States Mission from 1969-71, sharing his love of the gospel with the many people he met, including his companions and the people he taught. He was a dedicated missionary and kept in contact for the remainder of his life with many people he served during that time.

After returning home he completed his program at Santa Monica College and was planning a move to the Church College of Hawaii where he could pursue his love of surfing and finish school. Shortly before his departure, he was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. After nearly a year of hospitalization he moved to Utah to live with his family and continue rehabilitation at the University of Utah Medical Center.

In 1975 he met Ann (Annie) Maryon with whom he shared the rest of his life. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec 17, 1975. They were blessed with four beautiful children: Simon John, Maya, Ian Maryon, and Joseph Edward, as well as six grandchildren. The family enjoyed camping and traveling, often to the west coast, and loved being surrounded by large extended families in Utah. His children and grandchildren brought him much joy and were the highlight of his life. He was saddened by the death of his son Ian, who died at the age of 13 from a congenital heart condition. The family rejoices at the thought of John and Ian’s happy reunion, both freed from the challenging burdens of mortality.

John graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA and teaching certification. He taught art in secondary schools in Jordan and Davis school districts for 39 years. He loved the classroom and the interaction with junior high and high school students. He loved it so much that he retired (and rehired) twice. He has influenced thousands of young people with his creativity, appreciation for art, and his zest for life. He faithfully served his church with the same talents and enjoyed many years teaching youth and children.

During his time at the University of Utah John was introduced to wheelchair sports and became an early pioneer in the field of wheelchair road-racing. In 1976 he was the first wheelchair athlete to complete a marathon in the western United States. That race ignited a fire in his soul that allowed him to compete in events worldwide for the next several decades. Among these events were 13 completions of the Boston Marathon, a gold medal and two silver medals in the 1988 Seoul Korea Paralympics, and a sixth-place finish in the 2000 Sydney Australia Paralympic Games at the age of 50. He also enjoyed swimming, archery, tennis, and track events in various competitions. During his career he completed 150 marathons, 4 ultra-marathons, and hundreds of shorter distance races. He was thrilled when in 2008 he was able to return to surfing with a custom-built board and the support of several surf buddies from his youth.

The most enduring quality that John had was his intense love for, and faith in, his Savior, Jesus Christ. This relationship strengthened him through the many challenges in his life. He learned early to “endure it well,” lose himself in serving others, and keep a sense of humor. He felt his Savior’s love and wanted to share it with everyone he met. He saw expressions of that love in nature, children, beauty of any kind, and the pure experience of being alive. He lived every moment to the fullest.

John is preceded in death by his parents, and son, Ian. He is survived by his wife, Annie; his sister, Nancy Jones (Max) and brothers, David Brewer and Paul Brewer (Jodi); children, Simon Brewer (Konnie), Maya Brewer, and Joseph Brewer (Katherine); grandchildren Anden Simon Brewer, Kaycee (Cece) Brewer, Naielle Maryon Brewer, Xander John Brewer, Zayla Jean Brewer, and Henry Joseph Brewer; numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Gardens Chapel, 550 South 50 West, Kaysville, Utah. Friends may visit Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, UT or Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.

Interment at Kaysville City Cemetery.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the Kaysville 14th Ward will be streaming the services live at 11:00 AM using the following link:  http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/Events/kaysvilleutahsouthstake