James Thomas Faulkner, beloved son, brother and uncle, passed away December 5, 2023, at the age of 60 from MRSA Sepsis. James passed away at the home of his sister, after a long battle with his health, and in and out of the hospital throughout these past years with many surgeries and sepsis reemerging. He beat the MRSA sepsis infection 3 times, but the last episode was too much for his body.
James “Jamie” was born in Provo, Utah on March 25, 1963, to J. Earl and Joyce Christenson Faulkner. He was the fifth of 7 siblings so there was never a dull moment in their household.
At the early age of 12 years old, James lost his mother and at the age of 24 he lost his father. This was very traumatic for him. James had to learn about loss at an early age. He was grateful for family, friends, and neighbors who helped him through.
James grew up in Orem. He was involved in Scouting, earning his Eagle, and church activities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended Geneva Elementary, Orem Jr. High, Orem High school and graduated in 1983 from Mountain View High school. He was on the Sophomore and Junior football teams, and on Varsity football team for Orem High and Mountain View High. He was also on the Wrestling team that took regional and state honors.
James was very active in school leadership as well as sports. He was respected as a member of the band, Home Room President, involved as Student Security, and shared his humor entertaining the student body at student assemblies.
Early work years started out at Orem's Timp Drive-In on State Street and Springville Art City Drive In as Movie Projectionist and Security at both places. James pursued a career studying at Utah Technical College UTC at Provo in drafting, then the school changed its name and became Utah Valley Community College UVC, and he finished studying drafting but found his interest really was in the medical field. He became an EMT and continued studying. At that time, the school changed its name again to Utah Valley State College UVSC and by the time he finished his degree and became a Registered Nurse, the name of the school was Utah Valley University UVU.
James got a job at the Utah State Hospital in Provo and worked there for 35 years until health problems prevented him from doing so in 2023. He was the Unit Nursing Director -Forensic 4, Mountain View Units at Utah State Hospital. He was often recognized as a caring individual for both the patients and the staff he worked with. This recognition for his dedicated work often told of his dependability, strong work ethics, and reliability never missing a shift, and working for others as needed. During this time, James also worked at two different Nursing homes. He was also associated with the Red Cross and instructor of CPR at the State Hospital and involved in other Red Cross activities. James was given recognition by the Orem Police for his compassionate care and help with an elderly man who lost everything in his burning house. James and two others responded timely, cared for the victim in a compassionate manner, and organized support for him with the Red Cross. James Worked for the State of Utah as a Nationally registered EMT. During the 2002 Winter Olympics he volunteered on staff for EMT needs.
During these years, he met and married Mary Ellen Luther- Youder in 2000 and they were later divorced in 2018. They were foster care parents for several children through those years. James enjoyed being a "dad" during this time.
He enjoyed family genealogy, researching family history and ancestors and just being with our extended family. One of his last times with all of us was the October 2023 Eclipse party. We all had a great time. Especially James. He was doing really well with his prosthetic leg, James returned to his home and tried out his wings to live on his own. He did a great job. He continued living on his own for a month until the first of November.
James is survived by his siblings, Lori Smith (Scott), Holly Graczyk, Rocky Graczyk, Becky Horlacher (Andy), as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert who passed in 2021, sister Jerusha Faulkner Twiss and brother-in- law Troy Twiss who both passed away July 2013.
Our beloved Jamie, James, "Jamesy Baby" will be missed for his kind heart, witty sense of humor, willingly helpful hands and service to others around him. Especially his love and enthusiasm for his current dogs, Gabby, Bo, Max and Callahan, as well as those dogs who have passed away.
There will be a Celebration of Life for James. We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry, and remember a loved person who is greatly missed. The Celebration will include celebrating James's 61-year birthday and will be held on Saturday, March 23 beginning at 2:00 pm. at the Club House at 175 Garden Park Dr. Orem, Utah (off of Orem Center Street). All friends and family are invited. Burial will be at the Orem City Cemetery.
Please share a memory at Larkincares.com.