After a life of dedicated service and unrelenting hard work, John Phillip Mathews graduated from this life on August 29, 2021. He was born in Ogden, Utah, January 27, 1941 to John Steed Mathews and Millicent Neil Mathews. John grew up in Pleasant View, Utah raised by his widowed Mother. He graduated from Weber High in 1959 and attended Weber State University where he met his future wife, Jean Ann Holbrook. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 8, 1960.
John began his 35 year career with Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. working at Bakers Shoes and attending Weber State in Ogden. He was promoted to Store Manager in Denver, and then to the position of Director of Sales Training and Career Development in the St. Louis Corporate Office where he won the Flair Award for his training videos. Upon his retirement, he and his wife returned to Ogden in 1998, moving from there to Mesa, AZ in 2011.
An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he served as ward and stake Young Men’s President, a member of the Explorer Scout Committee receiving an award for dedicated service to the BSA; an early morning seminary instructor, counselor to two bishops and as a member of the High Council in St. Louis and St Louis North Stakes. John served as the Press and Publicity Director for the LDS Church’s City of Joseph Pageant held in Nauvoo, Illinois for ten years where he also played the lively role of Parley P. Pratt. He and his wife served as foster parents and as temple workers in five temples, including in the Philippine Manila Temple Mission (2004-2005). After returning to Ogden, he was called to serve as Stake Mission President for the wards at Weber State University and served for five years as Bishop of the Liberty Park Ward from 2006 to 2011.
John now joins his wife, Jean who passed in 2019, and leaves behind sons Michael (Paula) of Scottsdale, AZ; Mark (Nancy) of Arlington, Texas; and daughter Nanette of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; sister Jackie M. Anderson of Scottsdale, AZ and brother Jerry Conrad Mathews of Bristol, VA.
Funeral services will be held at Recker Ward, 1430 N. Recker Rd., Mesa, AZ on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held at 10:00 am preceding the Funeral. Graveside services will be held at Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 11:00 am, weather permitting.
For more information and to send condolences, please visit www.bunkerfuneral.com.
I am so sorry about the loss of your Dad, but very happy about his reunion with his beloved wife. Just remember all the happy times ans share them with your children and grandchildren, keep his love in your hearts, may God bless your family doing this difficult time in your life. Thank goodness for the Gospel and our understanding of the Plan of Salvation.
To the Family of Jean and John:
We would like to say to you that we enjoyed the company of your parents we went to school with your Mother and she also helped us with our reunions and we also enjoyed her Writings which she autographed for us. We had a good friendship with your parents and we wish to give your family our condolences for your loss but they will never be forgotten. They are together now and your legacy goes on. Thank you Thelma and Norm Winterbottom
We’ve known John and Jean forever. They have always been a wonderful part of our lives. We were blessed with so much love and laughter in their home, ours, and church activities. Our lives have been blessed to have them in this life. Now another journey begins and this one reunites him and the love of his life Jean. We love you both and we grateful for our earthly time together.
We have felt blessed to know your parents as they spent their last years here in our ward. We are happy to know they are together and doing a great work. We can’t help but think that he had such a giant spirit that the Lord gave him a body to match! He served with simple acts of kindness to the shut ins and elderly. He bore a powerful testimony in our monthly fast and testimony meetings and always brought the spirit into the meeting. During Covid he opened his home to others who needed to attend sacrament meeting, but had a hard time getting out. He was always thoughtful kind, and generous. Our lives are better for knowing him!
We miss the sweet spirit of John. His kind voice and special friendship is dear to us. He is now with his beloved Jean. We miss her too. May God be with us till we meet again!