Jack Leaming

Salina, Utah - John Wainwright Leaming, most fondly known as Jack, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on the morning of November 2, 2013. A father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Jack lived a full life of service for ninety-six years. He was born April 23, 1917 in Placerville, CO to Jonathon Tripler and Gladys Marie Merling Leaming. The oldest of three sons, Jack moved with his family to Moab, UT when he was very young. He attended Moab schools and enjoyed athletics. He assisted his father with the family drug store and theater in Moab, and when the time came, he attended BYU and the University of Utah. He married his sweetheart Helen Folster in 1941 in Ephraim, UT, prior to joining the Navy on November 19, 1942. He proudly served on the USS Guadalcanal in the Atlantic and often shared stories of capturing a German submarine during WWII. He returned to Salina, UT where Helen and Ted, his first son lived, and started changing tires at a local service station. Jack went on to work as a postal clerk until retirement, and held other part time jobs as well to support his family. His marriage to Helen was solemnized in the Manti Temple on April 14, 1953, and he raised his family of four children, three boys and a daughter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding four-wheelers, and his family property at Acord Lakes. He passionately supported the BYU Cougars, North Sevier Wolves, Colorado Rockies, and Utah Jazz. Jack was a doer and his life is most defined by his constant service. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in various callings including bishop, temple ordinance worker, and high councilor. Jack was the Director of the Gooseberry Youth Camp serving Utah youth for many years. He was a member of the JCs, director of stake sports programs, president of the little league, member of the American Legion Post #36, and secretary/treasurer of the Salina Lions Club. He served two terms as a Salina City Council member. He was influential in community projects including the Salina City Park, beautification of the Pioneer cemetery, many North Sevier High School improvement projects, and the Salina Veteran’s Memorial. To earn money for the Lions Club’s scholarship fund Jack rolled tens of thousands of pounds of newspapers. After losing his wife (1988) to cancer, Jack found a lifelong friend in Mae Peterson. They fished mountain lakes, enjoyed rides looking for deer, hunted arrowheads, and had picnics. Their children attribute their long lives to this friendship. They were able to fill a void for one another and keep track of each other. The family wants to extend a special thanks to Home Health and Hospice of Salina for their loving and compassionate care. Jack is survived by: his sons John Ted (Marta), Gary Wainwright (Lisa), and Don Kirk, and his sister-in-law Merlene Clark Leaming. He found great joy in his 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; his daughter Ann and son-in-law Allen Brent Martin; and his brothers George and Fletcher. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 12 Noon in the Salina 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, 85 South 100 East in Salina. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 150 East Main Street in Salina, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.