John Jay Wheelwright

After spending the weekend with his children, eating his favorite foods, visiting important locations from his life, playing a game with his family, John Jay Wheelwright, a member of the Greatest Generation, died March 18, 2019 in Bountiful, Utah.  He was born September 2, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Arthur John and Elsie Katherine (Clapier) Wheelwright.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Glen, Frank, Kenneth and his wife, LaPriel (Smith) Wheelwright. 

John attended Davis High School, before he was drafted into the army in 1943.  His unit, 78th Lightning Brigade, was sent to Europe to participate in the Battle of the Bulge.  John was wounded during the fight for the Remagen/Ludendorff Bridge on the Rhine River receiving a purple heart.  He was always proud of his military service for his country. 

John valued hard work having many different jobs in his lifetime.  He worked at Utah Oil Refinery, owned and operated a Texaco service station, and plowed many of the orchards of South Davis with his Ford tractor.  He continually coached his children on the best way to prune fruit trees. 

When the South Davis Sewer Improvement District was created, John worked his way up from inspecting the sewer lines to General Manager.  After working there for 23 years, he retired in 1985 to travel the U.S. in a motor home.  His favorite trip was to Alaska to be a campground host.  All summer he caught salmon to share with the campers. 

After traveling throughout the U.S., John set his sights on traveling the world.  His many trips included an African photo safari, cruises around South America and Africa, riding a camel in Egypt, and an elephant in Cambodia.  Everywhere he went he enjoyed riding through the countryside to see how other people and cultures lived.  One of his biggest bragging point was that he has flew around the world. 

John lived a life of service helping those that could not help themselves.  This service included the Lions Club, developing Hatch Park in North Salt Lake, and serving as President of the Opportunity Center, an early day care for mentally challenged children.  After his retirement, John enjoyed helping neighbors with their home repair or other projects.  The ladies he assisted would trade pies for his help with their plumbing, appliances or yard work. 

As a role model, John raised four children the best way he knew how.  He emphasized education as he felt learning was the way for a better life.  He is survived by his children: Sheri Nielsen, J.C. (Sally) Wheelwright, Tami (Mark) Hopkins-Shaw, Val (Aleen) Wheelwright, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Bountiful City Cemetery (2224 South 200 West) at 11:00 AM.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the DAV.