Who is Jon?
by: Brenda
Parents: Clair and Mary Ann
Siblings: Bart, Eric, Neal, and Greg
Jon spent his early years in Orem, Utah. There he grew up playing with his brothers and developing a love of all sports. I don’t know all the details of Jon’s childhood, but his family has let me know that he was always a very good brother. He was always fun to be around, and loved by all.
While in middle school Jon’s family moved to Springville, Utah. This is where the Family still resides today. I have learned much about Jon’s teenage years in Springville. He was quite the athlete, Jon played football (he was a lineman) and ran track (participated in mostly throwing events but did receive a handful of letter points in some relays) for his high school teams. Jon also loves to golf, one the first stories Jon ever told me was about the time he and some friends sluffed (ditched) school to go golfing only to find out it was ladies day earlier that morning when he ran into his own mother who had just finished nine holes of her own on the golf course. Life however was not all fun and play for Jon as a youngster, his father owns a foundry in Springville where Jon worked after school and on the weekends.
Jon was also involved in several school athletics. Jon’s greatest sport was football, which he still loves today (he even gets me to play sometimes). Upon graduation from high school Jon attended Snow College where he played football (finishing the year with a #7 national ranking) and was an athletic trainer for one year. He then served a mission to Roseville, California. We have had the opportunity to visit some of his old mission areas together since my family currently lives just over an hour south of Roseville in California. Jon still has a great love for his mission area and the people he served while there.
Upon completion of his mission Jon worked at the foundry for six months and returned to Snow College. He was on institute council there and completed his second year with the football team (Nationally ranked again but this time at #3). At Snow Jon befriended everyone, just lately we’ve run into several of his old friends from Snow (they’re always sure to congratulate me on finding such a great guy). Last summer we even went to a family reunion of mine and ran into an institute teacher that remembered Jon from Snow.
After graduating from Snow College, Jon came up to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah (and I’m very glad he did). Jon has been studying metallurgical engineering and is about a year away from graduating. Jon and I spend our free time participating in all types of athletic activities and also visiting with friends and family. From very early in Jon and my friendship Jon had talked about his family a lot. He absolutely loves his family; he talked about the fun they have together so much that I wanted to meet them even before we began dating. When I did meet Jon's family I fell in love with them as well. I have been fortunate enough to accompany them in several of their vacations this past year and have enjoyed getting to known them better. I am very grateful to them for the great son that they raised and for the opportunity I have to become a member of their family.
Now that you’ve heard all the facts about Jon, I’d like to mention a little about the real Jon. Jon in the nicest man I know, and not just because he’s marrying me. The day I realized I was crazy about him was the day I saw him out on the side of the road helping a lady who’s car had broken down. Jon always finds ways to help others out no matter who they are. Jon’s also a real comedian, he’s been the master of ceremonies at several of our ward and stake functions. But more importantly he always makes me laugh, and can always brighten my mood. Lastly, Jon is a great friend. Jon and I were really good friends for several months before we began dating. That friendship has progressed to love, and will soon lead to our marriage. I’m excited to marry Jon, the greatest man I know, my best friend now and for forever.