John Joseph Green

John Joseph Green, age 73, passed away on Wednesday, September 12, from a heart attack working at his business in Hyrum.  John was born in Salt Lake City on February 6, 1945, to Tharold (Tay) Green and June Erickson Green.  He was the youngest of three boys.  Following the early death of his father in 1965 from cancer, John’s mother married Joseph Parker, in 1967.  While attending a seminary class at Highland High School, he met Elizabeth (Liz) Margetts. He immediately fell in love when they got kicked out of class for talking too much.  John and Liz were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 31, 1966.  Liz was the love of his life and both were happiest when together.  They lived in Salt Lake until John built their home in Farmington where they have lived for the last 40 years.  They raised their 5 children there, 4 boys (all with the first name John) and 1 girl. 

John worked hard and instilled this trait in his children.  When John was eleven he started his first job mowing lawns in his neighborhood.  He would trim the lawns with hand shears.  While in high school he was a ‘soda jerk’ at Snelgrove Ice Cream Parlor where he claimed to eat more burnt almond fudge ice cream than he earned in wages.  He also was a milk puller for Meadow Gold, visiting grocery stores in Rose Park.  John was always proud to be an American and wanted to serve his country.  He signed up with the Army Reserve while a senior in high school.  He served in Fort Ord and Fort Irwin, both in California, and Fort Lewis in Washington.

While earning his business degree from THE University of Utah, John worked as a draftsman for Stokermatic, a company that he later co-owned.  Soon after his marriage to Liz, they moved to California so he could take a job with Borg-Warner.  After returning to Utah he worked again for Stokermatic and then became financial planner with American International Marketing.  He has always loved owning businesses and committed his energy into managing their commercial property.

John was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many capacities throughout the years of his life.  He particularly loved being a Scout Master.

John loved cars and car shows.  He was a proud member of the Wasatch Jaguar Register, and served as president and secretary-treasurer of the club.  He has owned 7 beautiful Jaguars over the years.  He also organized Western States car shows with Jaguar Club of North America. 

John loved people and bringing people together.  He served for many years as a member of the Farmington Lions Club.  He was the chairman of the Farmington Centennial celebration and built Woodland Park for the community.  He and Liz hosted a combined family Christmas party in honor of their daughter’s birthday that has been a family tradition for 40 years.  He was famous for his Halloween parties and costumes.  He was passionate about Ute football but could rarely bring himself to watch a full game for fear they would lose. 

He was a creative and skilled craftsman that loved having projects around home, the yard and his buildings – sometimes more than he could finish – and he especially enjoyed using his skills to help others.  He and Liz loved traveling with family and friends.  They enjoyed camping, golfing, RVing, cruises, and the beach.  One favorite tradition John and Liz started in 1984 was their annual family trip to Newport Beach. 

John is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, John and Irma Margetts.  John leaves behind his wife, Lizzy, and children, John Joseph “Joey” (Brenda), John Justin (Heidi), John Jesse (Debbi), Cacia (Matt), and John Judge (Ashley); 16 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 4 step-great-grandchildren (some of which are also named John), his brothers Terry (Sharon) and Tom (Karen), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Friday, September 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, UT 84025. 

A Celebration of Life party will be held on Saturday, September 22, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Farmington Community Arts Center, 120 South Main Street, Farmington, UT 84025. 

His interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers send your favorite memory or story about John through the Russon Mortuary website at www.russonmortuary.com and be sure to have a Coke and Hersey’s bar with almonds in John’s honor.