John Roger Thompson

John Roger Thompson, age 84, passed away Saturday, October 30, 2021.  Roger was born August 13, 1937, in Ogden, Utah to Karl Randolph and Maudie Mae Hull Thompson.  He was the oldest of their six children.  He was raised in Utah, Idaho, and California where he graduated from San Jose State College in 1968 with a degree in Industrial Technology.

Roger served his country as a member of the United States Army.  While stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he met Joan Elizabeth Redzich.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 20, 1963.  They celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary in 2013. They have lived in Bountiful and North Salt Lake since 2002.

As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served for two and half years as a missionary in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru.  The love he developed for the Spanish language was a benefit to him and to those he worked with and served throughout the remainder of his life.  Roger served twice as a bishop in Brownsville, Texas, as well as in the stake presidency and high council of the McAllen, Texas Stake.  He loved studying the scriptures, doctrine of the Church, and words of Church leaders.

His education led to many career opportunities across the United States, as well as in Mexico and Argentina.  From 1983-1985, he lived with his family in Buenos Aires where he oversaw materials management for the construction of the Buenos Aires Temple.  The Spanish he learned as a missionary led to his final and perhaps most fulfilling career as a medical interpreter in various medical facilities.  He found great joy and satisfaction in helping patients who would not otherwise be able to communicate their needs or receive critical and at times life-saving information.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kent, infant son, Christopher John, and brother-in-law Reg Hardman. He is survived by his wife, Joan, his brother Gale (Kathy) Thompson and sisters Kaye Starr (Brent) Henninger, Shirley Hardman and Glenda (Rob) Hicks, sons, Scott (Julie) Thompson, Mark Thompson, and daughter, Heather (Dave) Baxter. He was blessed with five grandchildren: Brian (Shannon) Thompson, Claire Thompson, Nick (Caddy) Thompson, Erin (Kade) Huff, and Jason Thompson. His seventh great-grandchild is due in April.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021, at the Orchard Third Ward Building, 261 East Center Street, North Salt Lake.  A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 that morning, with the funeral following at 11:00am.  Interment will take place at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah.