Jon Alan Rima

Our sweet husband and father, Jon Alan Rima, passed away peacefully at home on a beautiful Sunday, May 4, 2025. After a life filled with love, curiosity, and service, he is now free from pain.

Jon was born on October 26, 1957, and spent most of his life in Bountiful and Centerville, Utah. An adventurous soul from a young age, he loved exploring the nearby mountains—hiking, motorcycling, and off-roading whenever he could. He graduated from Viewmont High School in 1975 and later found his eternal love, Shelli Court. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 17, 1978, and together raised three brilliant and beautiful children.

Jon began his career at OSHA as a chemist while completing his degree at the University of Utah, where he earned a degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Engineering. He became an explosives expert, and one of his favorite parts of the job was—true to form—blowing things up. He loved the travel, challenges and opportunities that came with testifying in court, and attending conferences around the country. Jon retired from OSHA in 2019 as a Supervising Chemist.

He had a deep passion for learning and could fix just about anything. Whether it was restoring deleted memories from a computer, building in his woodshop, or tinkering under the hood of his beloved 1973 Roadrunner or his 1972 Chevy truck, “Old Blue.” Later, Jon used his extensive knowledge and skills to fix and repair both mechanical and body damage on cars for his children and grandchildren. Jon was a man of endless curiosity and capability. He developed film in his own darkroom, embraced 3D printing, reloaded his own ammunition, and was always the go-to person for math homework. As his children progressed in school, he also covered chemistry and could help without reviewing the curriculum. He pursued knowledge at the source and lived with both depth and breadth of interest in all he did. It was extremely important for Jon to find out if it was reliable information. Jon loved hunting and fishing, and some of his happiest moments were spent on the road, exploring new places with his family by his side.

Above all, Jon loved his family fiercely and lived to support them. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Jon is survived by his wife, Shelli; his children: Melodi Pilkington, Valeri (Scott) Bradshaw, and Trevor (Ha) Rima; and his grandchildren: Lucas Brown, Ryker Brown, Asher Pilkington, Rylan Bradshaw, and a granddaughter Rima on the way. He is also survived by his siblings Julie, Laurie, Mark, Jane, and Greg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Bernice Rima.

Services will be held Monday, May 12, 2025, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N Main St, Bountiful, UT 84010. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. The short service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Interment following at -- Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery, Bountiful, Utah.

“His chains are gone; he’s been set free.”