John Allen Brinkerhoff

Bicknell, Utah - John Allen Brinkerhoff, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away May 22, 2015 in Payson, Utah. He was born to Mary Allen and Willard D. Brinkerhoff on July 13, 1927 in Bicknell, Utah. He received his early education in Wayne County, Utah and learned to work on the family farm and in the surrounding mountains with his father’s sheep herd. John graduated from Provo High School where he was a star athlete--point guard and team captain of Provo High’s basketball team that won the state championship his junior and senior years. He then enlisted in the US Navy during World War II, spending his time aboard ship on the high seas on the Pacific Rim. At the end of the WWII he married his sweetheart Blanche Taylor in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on November 1, 1946, and was then called to serve an LDS mission in the Northwestern States. After his mission, he graduated with a Bachelor and Master degrees from Brigham Young University and entered the teaching profession in 1951 as coach at Wayne High School. John later became the principal of the Bicknell Elementary School. Later he joined the staff of the Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Salt Lake City, and thereafter returned to Wayne High School as Guidance Counselor. In 1969 he became the Superintendent of Wayne School District and held that position until his retirement. He also served as a Wayne County Commissioner and for many years was the Secretary of the Fremont Irrigation Company. John was valiant in his testimony of Jesus Christ. He taught his children to trust in God. Throughout his life, he served in many Church callings including full-time missionary, youth leader, Gospel Doctrine instructor, Bishop of the Thurber Ward, High Councilor in the Wayne Stake, and ward clerk. With his wife, he served as an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple. John was an extremely hard worker and derived great joy in serving others. John was a devoted husband and father. He loved music and encouraged his children to be musicians. He taught his children to ride horses—and helped all of his grandchildren do the same. He camped and hunted with his sons, taught all of his children to work hard, and helped all of them to receive the best education possible. His happiest times were spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. His legacy of hard work, a moral lifestyle, his consistent engagement in community service, and a love of God have been passed on through the succeeding generations. John is survived by his sweetheart, Blanche; six children: Allan Brinkerhoff (Mary), Diane Walter (Kent, deceased), Mary Jo Crook (Kenneth), Brad Brinkerhoff (Susan), Doris Madson (Dennis), and Ted Brinkerhoff; 24 grandchildren, and 50 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Frank, Stanley and Joseph. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2015 in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel in Bicknell, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral on Saturday at the Thurber Ward chapel from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.