

John Robert Case, 72, of Taylorsville, Utah, passed away on May 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 29, 1953, in Salt Lake City to James Trapp and Diane Case, and was later adopted by Eugene Case.
Above all else, John was a devoted family man who lived by the principle of "Family First." He was a constant and reliable presence, always there for anyone who needed him. His dedication to those he loved was the driving force behind everything he did.
The foundations of John’s life were built on the influence of his grandparents, Maude and Jack, who were always there for him. His life wouldn’t have been the same without them .In return, John was their constant helper; he spent countless hours maintaining their yard, helping with house cleaning, and picking apricots and cherries from their trees. He was always ready to answer the call from Grandma to help her find whatever she had misplaced. John also idolized his big brother, Jim, and spoke of him with immense pride. He especially loved to tell the story of the time Jim took him to golf at Willow Creek Country Club; it was a day that made him feel truly special and he never forgot.
John was defined by an incredible work ethic and pride in a job well done. His long career in Environmental Services provided him with more than just a vocation. It gave him a "backstage pass" to the things he loved. It started at the Salt Lake Bee’s baseball stadium (Derk's Field). He would go early to catch foul balls. He would often share his bounty with others. His favorite chapters were his years at the Delta Center and the E Center. He was part of the excitement of Utah Jazz games, Utah Grizzlies hockey, and countless concerts. John was a masterful storyteller and one of the family's favorites was about the night he worked a Neil Diamond show, and he famously discovered the legendary singer's hair piece. He worked at several buildings throughout his career and earned many accolades for his excellent performance. Even beyond his primary career John’s dedication was commendable. He was a faithful employee at his local car wash, visiting every night, without fail, to ensure everything was clean and in order.
John carried a profound admiration for law enforcement, a respect rooted in his family history, honoring his grandfather’s 38-year legacy with the Salt Lake City Police Department. John honored that legacy through his own local connections, frequently spending time at Dee’s Restaurant, sharing coffee and conversation with local officers. In his free time, he was a seeker of "treasures." He loved a good bargain and could often be found scouring garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores. He also had a unique and prolific hobby of collecting golf balls, spending many hours at Meadowbrook golf course fishing them out of the pond, eventually amassing an incredible collection of over 5,000.
He was also a connoisseur of local flavors, specifically of great Chile Verde burritos. John spent years visiting various restaurants always on a mission to find the one place that could capture the flavor of the recipe his mother had perfected.
Equally important to John was the unconditional love and companionship of his dogs. Through the years, Babe, Duchess, and Sheba brought immense joy to his life. John was known for his witty take on his four-legged friends, often saying, "I don't need a girlfriend; my dog is always glad to see me when I come home, doesn't ask me where I've been, and doesn't nag me for anything."
A cherished part of John’s life was the long-held tradition hosted by his aunt, Kathy Case. On the first Sunday of every month, she invited family, friends, and neighbors to her home for a potluck dinner. John proudly carried on his father’s tradition by always arriving with the ice cream. Kathy would never let him leave without a generous plate of food to enjoy the following day.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Diane Case; his father, James Trapp; his adopted father, Eugene Case; his brother, Jim; and his sisters, Denette and Julee.
He is survived by his sister, Cathie McBride (Mack); his brother, Evan Case (Kathy); his sister-in-law, Beverly Case; his son, Robert Orr; his grandson, Treyson; his granddaughter Selena; and his nephews, Cody and Lane McBride also by many cherished extended family and loyal friends.
A Graveside Service will be held at Valley View Memorial Park (4400 W 4100 S, West Valley City) on Wednesday, May 20th at 1:00 pm. Please feel free to wear casual clothes as this was John’s request.
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