John Justin Nash

John Justin Nash died unexpectedly but peacefully on October 29, 2019. He was born November 17, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Gerald Standing Nash and Camille Justesen. He graduated from East High School and married his best friend and eternal companion, Mary Earlene Everett. Mary passed away on their 60th wedding anniversary, August 3, 2016.

John grew up in the Garden Park Ward in Bonneville Stake. As a youth he was known for his award-winning Charleston dance skills. Music was a central focus of his life from beginning to end. His beautiful tenor voice blessed many choirs. John played the piano by ear, and in his later years worked diligently to learn to read music. The Bryan Ward roadshows, Promised Valley productions, Messiah sing-ins, quartets singing “Mosquitoes” and “The Animals A-Coming,” and the annual Nash Family Christmas sing-ins are important memories treasured by his children, grandchildren and dear friends. 

John served as a Sergeant in the Utah National Guard. His unit was mobilized in 1961 during the Berlin Wall crisis and he took his wife and two little girls to Fort Lewis, Washington for one year. John learned his profession as a purveyor of fine men’s clothing, working as a salesman in the Sugarhouse Bud’s Duds for Men, and later owned the Bud’s Duds in the Cottonwood Mall. He then worked as a manager of ZCMI in the Cottonwood Mall until he retired.

John served in many leadership capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Bishop of the Bryan Ward, a counselor in the presidency of Sugarhouse Stake, Patriarch of the Sugarhouse Stake, and was serving as the Patriarch of the Bonneville Stake at the time of his passing. He volunteered for many years in Visitor Services for the Church. He cherished the experiences and associations with the brothers and sisters during the years he served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple.

Mary and John continued close relationships with friends from junior high and high school, going to dinner throughout the years and supporting each other through all of life’s joys and sorrows. We know that many of these wonderful people were there with Mom to greet Dad, as well as his beloved brother, Les, his parents, and the family and friends who were such vital influences in the life of this spiritual giant.

He is survived by his three daughters: Mindi (Scott) Stevens, Cherie (Lee) Willis, and April Greenan (Porcher) Taylor; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

We express our sincere appreciation to the many friends and ward members who visited and reached out to share their love and respect for Dad. We would also like to thank the excellent staff at the University of Utah Hospital for their compassionate care of Dad and our family.

A viewing will be held on Sunday evening, November 3, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East in Salt Lake City, Utah. The funeral will be held Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:00 am, with a viewing prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am, at the LDS Chapel at 1621 South 1100 East in Salt Lake City.

Interment in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.