RICH, JOHN P.
John Perry Rich, Sr. passed away November 2, 1995 after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born November 22, 1920 to Edward Stokes and Eleanor Jane Atkinson Rich. He graduated with high honors from the University of Utah in 1947 with a B.S. in Geology. At the U of U he was president of Delta Phi Fraternity, a member of the varsity football team, and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.He served an LDS Mission to Brazil. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941 and was a member of Carlson’s Raider Battalion, serving in the South Pacific. On December 20, 1946 he married Effie Dean Bowman in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He became a partner in Jacob Lake Inn in the Kaibab Forest in northern Arizona in 1947. Since 1961 he had been general manager. Through nearly 50 years he helped to train and mold over two thousand young people, providing them with opportunities to work and develop emotionally and spiritually. He provided scholarships and generous support to youth and civic groups in northern Arizona. He was highly respected by the Native Americans in the area, and through purchasing and financial support, was instrumental in the development of the pictorial style of Navajo weaving.
He loved adventure in all forms, especially flying over his ranches where he worked hard to improve the land over which he was a steward. The best memories his grandchildren have of him are of outings as the “Can Do Kids” to fix fences, hike or do ranch work. They also loved his Granddad parties and the entire neighborhood enjoyed his Saturday morning breakfasts of homemade whole wheat waffles. He had a wonderful sense of humor and whimsy and was well known for his stories, poetry and love of music. He was an active member of the LDS Church who served faithfully in many callings.
Two years ago he experienced a reoccurrence of a cancer that had been in remission for eight years. His strength and courage were an inspiration to others as he shared the insights derived from his earlier experience with cancer and his determination not to surrender to the debilitating disease. Up to the last weeks he was building a playhouse and constructing swing sets for his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Effie Dean Bowman Rich; his children, Bonnie R. (Granville) Howard, John P. (Kristi) Rich, Jr., Nina Dean (Grant) Taylor, Steven Harold (Melinda) Rich, Christopher Bowman (Mary Frances) Rich, Mary Lynne (Bryan) Jensen, and Matthew Edward (Shayne) Rich; sisters and brothers, Eleanor (Elton) LeBaron, Edward A.E. (“Pete”) Rich, Lillian Simister, George A. (Dorothy) Rich, Carol R. (Kenneth) Brown; brother-in-law, Dr. John N. Henrie; stepsiblings, L. Dean Hickman, Erma Byrd, Elaine Maxfield, and Ruth Coon; 29 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sisters, Maude R. Beck, Madelyn R. Asija, Gladys R. Crisman, Joyce R. Henrie, and Edna Rich.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 6, 1995, 12 noon, Bonneville Stake Center, 1535 E. Bonneview Dr. (1050 South). Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Sunday evening 6-8 p.m. and at the church Monday, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the John P. Rich Memorial Scholarship Fund through any First Security Bank Office.