Our beloved son, brother, uncle and friend; John Stuart Pihl, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah on Monday August 1, 2016. The son of Don and Joyce Manning Pihl, John was born in Salt Lake City on December 19, 1964.
John grew up on Harvard Avenue in Salt Lake City among a wonderful and supportive group of friends and neighbors, many of whom were members of the Yale Second Ward. Many of these friendships continued throughout his life. He attended Uintah Elementary, Clayton Middle School, and graduated from East High School. He also attended the University of Utah and became an active member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. During his high school years, he served as a U.S. Senate Page for Senator Jake Garn. John was married to Lauren Anton, his high school sweetheart, from 1993-1995.
John was always active and creative with a love and fascination of the world around him. Chief among creative pursuits was his love of cooking. John especially loved dogs, and always had at least one of them in his life. Grover, Scooby-Do, Duke, Hobie and Chester each played an important role in his life. He almost always had a pet, or collection of pets, including fish, gerbils, snakes lizards and turtles.
His spirit of adventure and appreciation of nature was characterized by his love of fishing, camping, golf and skiing. As a youth he participated in Scouting and earned his Eagle Scout award. He also loved off-roading along with his love of auto mechanics. Many people associated him with his cars and trucks, including a 1969 Camaro, a 1947 Willy's Jeep and more than one Chevy Blazer. John also had an extensive collection of tools and enjoyed working with anything mechanical. His hobbies and sports were always creative and unusual and often drew the attention of people around him.
John was beloved by those around him, primarily because he was always willing and able to help others. He was perceptive and witty, with a great sense of humor. He was a creative gift giver and as such, will always be remembered by his nieces and nephews. John will always be loved and missed by his friends and family.
John is survived by his father, Don W. Pihl, stepmother Joyce Quayle Pihl (and family), brother David G. Pihl, nieces Emily and Katharine, nephew, Jacob, brother Michael (Mary Ann) Pihl, nephews, Spencer, Samuel, Nicholas, Thomas, and niece, Allison, all of which reside in the Salt Lake City area. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lenora Joyce Manning Pihl.
John will be greatly missed by his girlfriend of five years, Marie Wangsgard Kent. He was a loving father figure for her three girls and six grandchildren.
We appreciate the kindness of the doctors and staff at Salt Lake Regional Hospital (ICU).
A memorial service and interment will be held in John's honor Monday August 8, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, with a visitation prior to services from 10 ‚ 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up at Mountain America Credit Union to help with funeral expenses.
