Jonathon Ray Staples was born March 20, 1959, the fourth son and child of Mark Whitaker and Betty Whitehead Staples. Jon was, like each sibling, the favorite child of his parents. He was raised among six brothers and two sisters with faith, competition, love, loyalty and hope. He was taught he could accomplish anything he desired through work and knowledge. His parents taught him of Jesus Christ. He obtained a testimony of Jesus as the Son of God, and Savior of the world. His testimony is of the love of God and the atonement of Jesus Christ. He testified of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. He followed the latter-day prophets. He knew the Book of Mormon was a second witness of Jesus as the Christ and desired to share that with the world, especially those that would listen. He enjoyed sharing the gospel in the Zurich, Switzerland mission.
He loved his wife and companion, Denice Maurene Smith Staples. Their relationship was the foundation of all other activities. They raised a wonderful family of six children. Sarah Denice who married Matthew Harris, Jonathon Robert Winslow who married Lindsay Smith, Stephanie Celeste who married Ryan Portwood, Christopher Mark Samuel who married Cambria Morgan, Matthew Owen Rex, and Samantha Elizabeth who married Joshua Hill. The Staples lived in many geographical locations but resided and raised their family as well as served for a prolonged period in the community located in Sandy, Utah. He served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a steward of young men, a Bishop and a member of the Stake Presidency of the Sandy, Utah Crescent Park Stake of Zion. He worked with the Special Needs Activity Program. He later served as a High Counselor and Bishop of the Crescent Park YSA Ward. He loved, nurtured and preached the establishment of Zion and a “Zion Neighborhood”.
Jon believed in education. He was educated at the University of Utah where he obtained a BA in finance and an EMBA. He experienced much education through life and challenges. He loved sports, competition, business, and the development of the individual. He enjoyed scouting, river rafting and piano recitals. He was considered as the “family interviewer”. He thought he was witty but most felt there were just “Jon-isms”. He extended the invitation to come unto Christ. He worked to provide for his family in various business organizations which he established. He has traveled and developed friendships throughout the world. He established a herd of cattle in Uruguay, his “Holy Cows” to support the missionary fund and missionary effort in Uruguay. He consumed less financial resources than he earned. He supported organizations that would help others out of poverty. He participated in investing, developing and nurturing activities that have blessed many people. He was blessed abundantly in every aspect of life. He felt he was able to go where he was called to go and do what he was asked to do with the support of God, his wife and family. He encouraged the positive use of moral agency to qualify oneself for service in the church and community.
He was survived by his wife, Denice; children: Sarah (Matthew), Robert (Lindsay), Stephanie (Ryan), Christopher (Cambria), Matthew, and Samantha (Joshua); grandchildren: Karlie, Capri, Abigail, Anniston, Roman, Brayden, William, Christian, Jane, Violet, Lucy, Mason, Marie, Emery; Siblings: Mark, Scott, Brent, Debbie, Lisa, Ben, Paul, and Richard.
A Viewing will be held on Friday, March 19th from 6 pm – 8 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) Sandy, Utah. We invite all who would like to pay their respects to Jon. Covid restrictions will be in place please wear a mask and social distance. If you would like to share a memory of Jonathon Ray, please email jonstaplesmemories@gmail.com.
Funeral service for immediate family will be held on Saturday March 20th at 11 am at the Crescent Park Stake Center, 11350 S 1000 E Sandy, UT. The funeral will be streamed for all those who wish to watch. http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/sandyutahcrescentparkstake
He will be interred at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy Utah.
Dedication of the Grave will be by Matthew Owen Rex Staples.
We are so sorry for your loss and we know you must miss him terribly. We will be thinking of you during this difficult time. We send our love.
Love,
Shauna and Ben Jones
My Condolences to the Bereaved Family. We Love you.
We love the staples family and we will miss Jon so very much. His smile was contagious and his presence would just brighten your day. He always did love to interview you but that just made you feel like he cared about you. Have soooo many fond memories of him and serving with him. It will be great to see him again. May our Heavenly Father bless you and the Holy Ghost comfort you. Love you Kerry and Coralee.
We remember your father and his loving countenance when you and your family visited us way back May 2017. He is full of spirit. We are deeply sorry for your loss. We love you Staples! Our condolences.
Dear Denice & Family,
Derek and I are so very sorry for John’s passing.
We send all our love and offer our prayers for you.
With Much Love,
Derek & Jill Wright
Cousin Jon and family,
There are so many cherished memories together with you. Who could ever forget the Staples clan taking over a community for the next family reunion.
There is much appreciation for the continual work you did in behalf of the family and our heritage. Thank you!
Just a few months ago at my mothers funeral services, you were seeking out others and checking in. Your smile brought peace and comfort to me. My wife Sarah, was saddened at your passing as you found her and conversed with her while in Kanosh. In spite on never meeting before.
What a great example for service and making others lives more meaningful.
We LOVE YOU, and continue to pray the Saviors Atonement will bring peace and comfort to your immediate family.
Bye for now cuz.
We remember your father and his loving countenance when you and your family visited us way back May 2017. He is full of spirit. We are deeply sorry for your loss. We love you Staples! Our condolences.
We are deeply saddened by your Dad loss Robert , may our prayers guide his soul to our Heavenly Father. Sincere condolences!
Denice and Staple Family,
Our hearts are broken with the news of Jon’s passing. We have such fond memories of you all and Bishop Staples. May your sweet memories carry you all through this most difficult time. Sending our love, thoughts and prayers for each of you. Cody & Utona Moss
Sorry for your loss bro. Staples and to your family 😇🙏
Sending my condolences and prayers. 🙏😇
Condolence brd.
Alam ko nasa presinsya na sya ng ama sa langit.
Masaya na po sya.
Wala na din syang maramdam pain
Pray kami para sa pamilya mo makayanan ito pag subok na dumating
I was devastated to hear of Jon's passing. It has been quite a few years since I have seen Jon but he holds a special place in my heart. He was/is an amazing man. He inspired me to be a better person and after all these years I still have moments when his words ring in my ears. He was the best bishop. (Sorry to all the others I have had but Jon was truly the best.) I offer my very best to the family. A great, great family. I hope you find peace.
Dear Denice,
Patty and I are so very sad to hear of Jon's passing. As you know, Jon and I go way back, almost 40 years, to the King B days. I've always considered Jon a great competitor and a good friend. He will be sorely missed in the manufacture, broker, and retailer community. Our prayers go out to you and your family during this very difficult time.
Love,
Patty & Steve Latimer
So sorry to hear about the loss of this great man! Brother Staples made a BIG impact on my life and I'm grateful for the 10 years we enjoyed in the ward together.
Denise and family, so very sorry for your loss. Jon was always so kind and such a light to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Marsha Hughes
Jon was a beloved and respected friend and mentor. We are saddened to see him gone. Our wishes of love and gratitude to him and his family.
From my entire sales team at KC Krafts, we all knew Jon for many years. We were friendly competitors for a long time. He will be missed! Our sincere condolences.
I am so very sorry to hear of Jon's passing. I had the opportunity to know him through my work. He was always so kind and friendly. I will remember him most for his genuine spirit and infectious smile. I hope that family and friends will be comforted by the memory of a life well lived. And cherish the impact and impressions he made on all he came to know. My deepest regards at this sacred hour.
I served as a missionary with Elder Jonathan Staples in Switzerland from 1978-1980. I loved working with him. He was a tremendous example for other missionaries of how to teach the gospel and represent Jesus Christ to the people of Switzerland. He was fastidious about keeping the rules. He also loved having a good time. Once when we played a practical joke on him, he laughed harder than anyone. I had not seen him for more than 40 years, but it seems the years have made him an even better man and follower of Christ than ever. He'll be jumping right in to accomplish the work on the other side.
Such a beautiful soul gone too soon. Sending Heartfelt Sympathy to the family. I served with Elder Staples in the Swiss mission. My companions and I met and taught an older gentleman in Basel and when he accepted the baptismal challenge we asked him who he would like to perform the ordinance and he said, “ John the Baptist!” So Elder Staples baptized him in Basel Gemeinde. What a wonderful missionary! And I did not realize you lived so close all these years. I am from Sandy too.
Mis condolencias Familia Staples. Fuerte abrazo a cada uno!
I am deeply saddened to hear of Jon’s passing. You are all in our prayers that you may feel comfort and strengthened at this time. Jon will continue to be a blessing in the lives of everyone that knew him.
Elder Staples was my companion in the Switzerland- Zurich Mission starting my 3rd month out from March to June 1979 in Zurich. He taught me how to be a missionary and work hard and be led by the Spirit. We baptized 3 individuals that May. My association with Elder Staples established the foundation of my mission that led to more baptisms. This being led by the Spirit has guided me ever since. Thank you Elder Staples.
I’m so sorry to hear the news of my good friend passing away.
I’ve known him for over 20 years in the food industry.
Jon made a big impact on so many peoples lives in so many ways.
A true gentleman and professional owner of his own company.
I’m truly going to miss him.
I’ll keep the Staples family in my prayers.
I am so very sorry to hear of jon passing.....he was so fun at our 3 years at cottonwood high.....watching him play basketball was awesome! Prayers to all his family...
President/Brother/Bishop Staples meant so much to me. I knew him growing up in my home stake presidency. Then as a high counselor when I served as Stake Relief Society President in the Draper YSA stake, then as my Bishop in the YSA ward just as I was getting married. He was always a listening ear, a great support, and always made me smile. I knew to always come prepared to be teased, and I always loved it. We'll miss you Brother Staples! Sending all our love and support to you and your family at this time. Know you'll be missed.
I had the pleasure to work with Jon for several years through my employment with Maverik. I always looked forward to his visits to the marketing dept, bc he always brought a smile, kind words and a fun and exuberant story to tell. He loved his faith, and he spoke so fondly of his family. He seriously would light up any room he walked into, and would always poke his head into all the offices and say hi as he passed down the halls at the office. He always provided such honest praise to the hard work of our design and marketing team and just genuinely was a good person. The world needs more people like him. I am grateful to have known him. My condolences to his family, he is gone too soon.
The Greens
Denice and Staples family,
Sending my deepest condolences and love to you all for the loss of Jon. As I reflect on my experiences with Jon (mostly when we were younger) I think of his goodness, amazing strength, being the protector, competitive nature and his big smile. I pray you will all be comforted through this most difficult time of his early departure. May the good Lord bless and keep you...
Jed Hill
Denice and Family -- I want you to know I am thinking of you all and have said lots of prayers for your family! Although I never met Jon, Denice, you shared some stories about him as we were working together. I loved the fun tradition that Jon and you set up where you would take engaged couples from the YSA ward to dinner before they got married. How lucky those couples were to rub shoulders with such good people as Jon and you! I am sending lots of love your way!
Love,
Lori Hunt
Denice and family,
we are very sorry for your loss. Jon will be missed, this world has lost a great person and friend. We were initially competitive coaches Jon for the 4th Ward and Max for the 3rd Ward. We both loved the Young men. He always helped Jean with the Girls sports program. I am sure a lot of young members had their testimonies grow with his help. We also discovered we were cousins related through the Joseph Olpin Family. I think his warm spirit is already at work on the other side of the veil. Love you all and our prayers are with you always.
Max * Jean Howard
John was a kind and positive man. In working with him on an assignment from the Stake Presidency, he was there to encourage and support. I will always remember him in The Music Man. He was a key player on the stage and making it a success. He lived his life as an example of kindness and reaching out to others to make them feel loved and appreciated. We are better people for having known him.
John and Debbie
So sorry for your loss!
Jon always seemed so upbeat and happy.
Our thoughts are with the family.
I was one of 10 missionaries that began our missions together in 1978. I learned to love and respect John very quickly. He was a hard worker and a great man. My sincere condolences for the loss of this great brother.
Dear Denise and family,
Our hearts are saddened to loose our wonderful friend, Jon!
We wish you peace and comfort as you say goodbye for now, to your sweet husband and father, with the grateful knowledge that there is a plan, that Jon will be busily engaged in his Father's work and that you will all be reunited again.
Jon was a special friend to us and we will miss him dearly. We are grateful for his wonderful life, example, love and dedication to following Christ.
We truly love him and your family!
Karen and Gordon Hanks
We were so sad to hear of Jon's death. We remember all the good times watching the soccer games our girls played.
We are praying for you. May the Lord comfort your family!
With love, Larry, Linda, and Laura
We loved John and cherish the many years we spent on the soccer sidelines together. He was such a fantastic soccer dad and i miss the “Dads Club” for our Celtic Team. He loved his family and was such a great friend. If you knew John you loved him! He will be missed but his memory and example will be in our hearts and minds forever!
your dear husband gave me comfort..my husband passed in june our ward had stopped services..i need comfort and church so much so i went to the ysa ward and was welcomed. mr daughter is marred to dave maxwell i will never forget the love your dear sweet husband showed me..thank you i send my deeopest love..maybe my gary and jon can be friends behind the viel while they waite for us.. kind thoughts garda wardle
Bishop was such a great influence to me as I served with him for a year and a half in the singles ward. He always made me feel seen and special! I appreciated his happy leadership and willingness to help with anything! I was always excited to say hi and chat with him. I am so sadden by this news! Your family has been in my prayers! Love you guys!
We have just been able to witness one of the most spiritual celebrations of a person's life by streaming Jon's funeral. We send our love and respect to the Jon & Denice Staples family. We also send our love to Jon's siblings and all of our Staples cousins. Jon's life, especially during his Covid-19 fight, have influenced us to live our lives better. We love his motto that every life matters. Jon's life really did. During the last few weeks we have seen the extended Staples family connect with each other in ways that we haven't done in years. Families are what it's all about. Love to you all...
Larry and Ann Staples
(oldest Staples cousin to Jon)
A great man. A man who took the time to coach little League baseball and mentor us kids. He taught us to compete fiercely but fairly. Never blame umpires or other players for your mistakes and failures. In short an example for life!
We are so sad for your great loss. Jon has always been one of our heroes and we will dearly miss him. Your family is in our prayers.
We were saddened to learn of Jon passing. He was always one we looked up tp. I enjoyed his visits down at the company and we had some great talks. He will certainly be missed by many including our family. Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
We are so sorry for the loss. We have enjoyed visiting with him over the years. He was the Bishop of my grandson Tanner Petersen and helped him in his ward before he got married and moved away. Thank you for your good example and kindness and thank you for doing the Ward Fun Run every year.
We will miss him, but the people in the Spirit World will be blessed by his presence.
Clint and Cheryl Merrell and Sandy Allred.
Dear Denise and family,
Ryan and I were heartbroken to recently learn of John’s passing. John was an exceptional man and gentleman. We will always remember our camping trips and our raft trip down the Snake River, as well as hiking to the top of King’s Peak. So many wonderful adventures! Then there was the hike through the Subway. As I write, I remember our camping and bike trip around Antilope Island. A flood of wonderful memories!
We are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but John and the other LDS people in the ward were always friendly and always made us feel welcome. John was a great positive example of his religion.
Our interactions with our friend John will always be remembered with fondness and smiles!
With tears in our eyes, we send our love to you, Denise, and the whole Staples family!
Roger and Ryan Carrier
PS: I left this letter and a plant on your doorstep. Please check and take it inside. Thanks!
I'm devastated! I just learned of Jon's passing. I did not know him well, but we crossed paths at trade shows and at retailers. We always stopped and said hello and chatted for a bit.
I will miss Jon. He was well liked and respected!