John Stradling Bennion

John Stradling Bennion, 71, was born September 19, 1954 to Mervyn Sharp Bennion, Jr. and LaRee (Larrie) Stradling Bennion in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died December 9, 2025 in Hampstead, North Carolina.

John’s love of science began early. He created his own chemistry laboratory (in a large closet at his great-grandfather’s home) while still in elementary school. His curiosity and theories were not always non-dangerous; but he, others, and the neighborhood survived his various experiments.

John attended Lowell and Lafeyette Elementaries and Bryant Jr. High. He graduated from East High School and the University of Utah with a B.S. in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, a M.S. in Nuclear Engineering, and a Ph.D in Nuclear Engineering. He was affiliated with Sigma Phi Epsilon. When he allowed people into his life, they were solidly there.

John taught at the University of Utah as a graduate student and was a professor at Idaho State University in his field of mechanical and nuclear engineering. He was actively involved in many professional organizations, including the American Nuclear Society. At the time of his death, he was employed by GE Vernova Hitachi as a Senior Engineer/Technologist. John was brilliant, dedicated, and well-known for working extremely long hours. His impressive curriculum vitae can be found on his LinkedIn profile.

John is survived by his siblings Robert S. Bennion (Syd), Santa Monica, CA; Rebecca A. Bennion, and J. Michael Bennion, both of Salt Lake City, UT. He is also survived by six nieces and nephews, and fifteen great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother Louise Clark Bennion, his parents, and his oldest brother Mervyn Sharp Bennion, III (Mick).

There will be a graveside service at the Salt Lake Cemetery on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. People can meet at Larkin Mortuary, 250 East South Temple, at 1:00 pm.

The family appreciates John’s colleagues and friends who recognized his talents and enriched his life. We are deeply grateful for those who have been and are unbelievably helpful and supportive as we finalize John’s affairs.