John F. Elsholz

You are so lucky if you knew John Elsholz! Our most remarkable husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully in his home on March 3, 2022, surrounded by his wife and all five of his beloved children. John was born on September 5, 1947 to Frank Elsholz and Theresa Fitzpatrick Elsholz in Bronx, New York. At that time, Frank was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard a submarine which was in for repairs at the shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. When John was a few months old, Frank relocated his wife and infant son to Delle, Utah, to live with his widower father, Louis Elsholz, who was employed by Western Pacific Railroad. At age 8 months, John’s mother abandoned him while in the care of his grandfather. Sadly, his father had already abandoned him, having chosen to return to the navy. A motorcycle accident in Connecticut claimed his father’s life when John was 4 years old, leaving John to be raised by his widower grandfather, who, himself, had endured a hardscrabble life.

Moving to Grantsville, Utah with his grandfather, John lived in a railroad boxcar (purchased for $25), while his grandfather constructed a small house on the property. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Grantsville prior to a year of college at Weber State, followed by a two-year mission in the California-Arizona mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He resumed his education at the University of Utah, where, in the fall of 1974, he met the love of his life, Jody Hinckley. They were sealed for eternity on May 30, 1975, in the Salt Lake Temple. Jody graduated from the U of U and embarked on graduate studies while John worked in cancer research at the Veteran’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Desiring to become a better provider, John accepted a job in Seattle, Washington, promising Jody that they would only be there for two years. It was not for lack of trying, but John’s two-year plan stretched into twenty-five years! Twenty-five years and five children later, John was able to relocate his family to Salt Lake City in 2002, providing Jody with the much-appreciated opportunity to be closer to her newly-widowed father.

John’s greatest loves were always first and foremost, Jody, and their five children. As a young father, he loved coming home from work and giving “blanket rides” to his little children, wrestling, playing sports with them, organizing camping, fishing, and hiking adventures, and just being together. Although ambitious and driven by nature, John possessed an exceptional talent: the ability to park all of his work concerns at the door, prior to entering their home, so he could focus all of his energies and attention on his family - his most important job. John tried to make every family outing a fun adventure, with his trademark catchphrase, “Okay, kids, let’s go make a memory!”

John loved life! He loved being outdoors, and especially loved skiing and tennis. He loved to travel with Jody and their children, instilling that same wanderlust in each of his children. John marveled at the breadth and scope of his travels for business and pleasure, since he was, simply, a self-described “Hayseed from Grantsville.” John loved walking the cobblestone streets of Europe, driving fast on the Autobahn, taking cruises with family and friends, snorkeling in the Caribbean and the Red Sea, walking the beaches and whale-watching in Hawaii, watching 3-D movies with friends and grandchildren, and savoring sunsets and ice cream out on his deck. Wherever he traveled, John loved collecting T-shirts from every Hard Rock Café he could find. John truly relished every adventure and every sunset!

Working in the healthcare industry, John spent the majority of his career as a senior executive with several companies, excelling in the intellectual challenges that medical informatics presented. He loved to problem-solve, and was awarded 6 patents for consumer and healthcare innovations.

Throughout his life, John remained deeply committed to his faith and was passionate about teaching his children eternal principles. Family life was enriched with three sons immersed in sports, scouting adventures, and Eagle Scout awards. He savored spiritual blessings of three sons serving missions, doted on daughters engaged in sports and ballet, and later, he found supreme joy in babysitting dear grandchildren – all the while adding memories to our family’s treasure trove. John loved making memories with dear friends whom he cherished and considered them more like the siblings he never had. In church, he enjoyed serving in numerous leadership positions at both the ward and stake level. A serious gospel scholar, John particularly enjoyed teaching from the scriptures, and served faithfully until his health failed.

Without question, John maintained a firm testimony of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, and rejoices even now, knowing his wife and family are sealed to him for the eternities, to be reunited one bright day. John is survived by his best friend and wife, Jody, and their beloved children, of whom he was immensely proud: John and Julia Elsholz, Matthew and Cara Elsholz, Jessica and Dan Horman, Mark and Rachel Elsholz, and Amanda and Micah Russell. The brightest lights in John’s life were his 10 precious grandchildren, ages 8 and younger: Olive Lynn Russell, Lincoln Micah Russell, Ivy Jae Russell, David Elsholz, Robert John Elsholz, Maxwell Alan Elsholz, Quinn Matthew Elsholz, Capri Belle Horman, Brae Daniel Horman, and Calvin Mark Elsholz. John is also survived by his cousins: Frank and Jeanine Elsholz, Cynthia and Dan Tyhurst, Tina Dyer and Scott Kempshall, Marie and John Dallafior, Preston and Jeanne Jackson, AnnLynn and George DeWeese, Mark and Robin Jackson, and Jennifer Eva. John is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Pamela Hinckley and Alan Huff, Erin Hinckley Bowers and Robert Samuel Bowers, nieces, Hadley Bowers Regal (Alan, Caroline Hinckley Huff, and nephews, Samuel Robert Bowers, and William Henry Bowers. Preceded in death by his in-laws, Patricia F. and George V. Hinckley, and brother-in-law, Kevin George Hinckley.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens at 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. There will be a brief viewing on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 11:00-11:45 a.m., prior to the funeral which will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Sandy Lone Peak Stake Center, 11570 Wasatch Blvd., Sandy, UT. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, UT.

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