Feb. 5, 1934 – Feb. 3, 2019
John Edward Carman passed away on Feb. 3, 2019, just two days short of his 85th birthday. He was born on Feb. 5, 1934, in Coalville, Utah. He was the youngest of four children born to John B. Carman and Lois Rees Carman. At the age of 5, the family moved to Echo, Utah, where they bought land and started a dairy farm which they maintained until 1967.
He graduated from North Summit High School in 1952. He joined the United States Air Force and served from Feb. 26, 1953, to Feb. 25, 1957. John was a Korean War veteran. Between the Air Force and college John worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and various construction jobs driving heavy equipment. While working and going to Weber College, where he played football, he met his lifelong sweetheart Brenda Lee Wessler. They were married on Oct. 12, 1962, in Ogden, Utah, where they resided until his college graduation in 1965.
After the birth of their first two children they moved to Washington, Utah, on Jan. 1, 1967, where John accepted a position as associate professor of the auto mechanics program. In 1969 their third child was born. The family later moved to Bloomington Hills, Utah. He taught for 32 years, retiring in 1999, but coming back to adjunct teach one more year.
John loved hunting, which he did with his dog/companion Rusty. He went pheasant hunting to Dickinson, North Dakota. He also loved fishing and was able to go on trips to Mexico and Nassau to deep sea fish. He also loved golfing in fair weather. John was a life member of both the Elks and Eagles and was a member of the NRA. He was a true patriot of his country.
John was quick-witted and could come up with a comeback without hesitation. No matter what you were talking about he always had a story to tell about his many life experiences. It was always said that he had a rough exterior but was a marshmallow inside. John was known for his handlebar mustache. One college president did not approve of mustaches, so John grew him one. Wherever he went someone always had a good comment to say regarding his mustache.
After being diagnosed with celiac disease, the foods he missed the most were his wife’s homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and homemade bread. He very much disliked his new cardboard bread.
John is survived by his wife Brenda and his four children, Danna Carman, St. George Utah; Mitzi Robinson (Shirl), Washington, Utah; Ginger West (John) St. George, Utah; and Lori Ann Carman from prior marriage. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Kyle Robinson, John Bearden, Cameron Robinson, Sean Robinson, Jacqui West and Cambria West.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David who died at birth, and his two sisters, Mary Allison and Phoebe Burroughs. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law George C Wessler Jr. and mother-in-law Althea Little Wessler.
Per John’s request there will be no funeral services or viewing. He chose to donate his body to the University of Utah medical school donor program. There will be a gathering of family and friends at a later date.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Abinash Roy and his staff Michelle and Rane; Dr. Lynn Nimer; Dr. Tyler Haberle and all of the staff in the ICU at Dixie Regional Medical Center (IHC) for their loving care and compassion given to John.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.
For condolences, please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.