Michael James Holbrook

Michael James Holbrook born on September 24, 1957 in Salt Lake City passed away on September 6, 2023 at his home after battling Lewy Body Dementia. He was surrounded by many who loved him. Mike was the son of James and Althea Holbrook. He grew up in Bountiful and West Bountiful where he milked cows, raised horses, and played in the fields where houses now stand. He was proud to be one of the “West Bountiful boys, because they were tough.”

Mike graduated from Viewmont High School in 1975 where he enjoyed many good friends. He was a solid, quiet type and would never step down if he thought he was right. Mike’s parents and family are what some would say, “The salt of the Earth.” After high school and working, Mike chose to go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was sent to the Texas San Antonio Mission where he served faithfully from 1976-1978. His mission was indeed one of the highlights of his life. He learned many of life’s lessons from his former mission president, Elder Vaughn J Featherstone. While serving on his mission, Mike’s sister Cindy worked at Snow College with a girl from Payson and they became fast friends. Cindy encouraged her friend to write a letter to her missionary brother. That letter started an eternal love. Mike and his forever love, JoLene Lance were married on June 14, 1979 in the Manti Temple. Mike and JoLene began their married life in Bountiful and were excited to start a family. Eleven months after marriage, they were blessed with a blond haired, blue eyed baby boy. They had their other 2 children within the next 3 years and loved being parents.  The family then moved to Kaysville to raise their children. Mike was a very hard worker and many, many times was up by 3:00 am and didn’t get to rest until perhaps 11:00 pm. He cherished his family and there is nothing he wouldn’t do for them. As one of his favorite singers, George Strait sang, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end, Amen.” Mike worked as a custodian for almost 39 years with Davis County Schools and would have worked longer but retired due to his illness. Although it was not a glamorous job, he knew what he had to do to provide for his family and he had a paycheck with benefits every month. He worked extra jobs to take his family on vacations, camping, fishing and making sure quality time was spent together. Mike loved spending time in the mountains, especially near Alpine, WY at the Grey’s River. It was at that river where Mike felt close to his Heavenly Father. He was a great fisherman and some of the children and grandchildren share his love, not all, but some. Mike lived his life serving others. He was a caregiver to both of his parents when they suffered from dementia so he had an idea of what was in store for him. Mike didn’t like to bring attention to himself but those of us who knew him know what a great man he was while on Earth.

Mike leaves behind his wife of 44 years, JoLene Lance Holbrook, sons Lance Michael Holbrook (Amber), and Derek James Holbrook (Jenn, now deceased), daughter Shalayne Holbrook Wright, sisters Cindy Holbrook Warnock (D), Margaret Holbrook Boren (Jerry), brother Douglas Holbrook (Dawn), brother and sisters-in-law Kenneth Lance (Jerry Ann), Charlotte Lance Green (Gary), Stanley Lance. Also survived by Judyth, Douglas, Michael, Eydie, John, Kerilyn, Chandelle, Troy and Jared.

His pride and joy were his 7 grandchildren Liberty, Bella, Sadie, Sawyer, Sophie, Abby, and Jack. He is preceded in death by his parents, James D and Althea B Holbrook, daughter-in-law Jennifer Mott Holbrook, father-in-law Ammon D Lance, mother-in-law Marlene Johnson Haskell and nephew Clayton Warnock.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Kaysville Utah East Stake Center, 207 South 600 East. Friends and family may visit Friday between 6 and 8 p.m., at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main, Farmington or Saturday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Kaysville City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

The family would like to express gratitude to Aspen Ridge Hospice for their gentle care and allowing him to peacefully pass at home.