John "Chriss" Furniss

John Christian Furniss 74, passed away on Nov. 27, 2024 at Harrison Point Care Center in Ogden Utah. He had been ill with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer, congestive heart failure as well as other ailments.

Chriss was born on Feb. 14, 1950 in Rexburg Idaho to Denton Furniss and Janette Wilkie Furniss. He and his family moved to Springville Utah when he was young and then onto Payson. At 16, his family moved to Ogden Utah where he graduated from Ogden High.

Shortly after high school, Chriss met his future wife at a gather of friends. Chriss married Dolores Ballingham on Jan. 3, 1969. Their married was solemnized in the Ogden Temple on Dec. 15, 1989, sealing his forever family together.

On Jan 3, 1970 (their first wedding anniversary) Chriss received his draft notice to enter the Army. He served at Fort Bragg North Carolina before getting orders to go to Vietnam. Chriss served in Vietnam from Nov 1, 1970 to Nov 1, 1971. In 2023, he was selected to go on the Honor Flight to Washington DC. His son served as his escort. It was a most memorable trip honoring those vets that served.

Chriss graduated from Ogden High School in 1968. He later graduated from Stevens-Henager College in Business Administration and Business Management. His career was in the paint and coatings field. He started selling paint when he was 17 years old. It was a career that he dearly loved and he took great pride in his knowledge of various products. He loved the many friends and associates that he interacted with over the past 55 years.

Chriss worked in the Bountiful Temple as an ordinance worker for 7 years. He loved being in the temple and would work 3 to 4 days a week until his health declined and he could no longer continue.

Chriss was an artist and a writer. Many of his paintings had Christ in them. He loved his Savior. Chriss loved writing poetry. He also published a book, The Black Sheep That Heaven Won. It showcased a lot of his poetry and told a bit about his life.

Chriss is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dolores. Also, by his four children - KC (Mandy), Shawn, Michelle & Marianne and by his three granddaughters, Shelby, Kira, and Bexley. He is also survived by his brother Alan (Karen) and sisters Carolyn Clark (Richard dec'd), Laurie Zwernik (Ray).

Preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Annie Jill, brother Richard (Sharon dec'd), and sisters Eileen and Joyce Kay (Stacey dec'd)

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 at the Kaysville Ponds Park Ward Chapel, 550 South 50 West, Kaysville, Utah at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing before the service from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. There will also be a viewing at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah on Dec. 4, 2024 from 6 to 8 PM.