John Franklin Stockman

John Franklin Stockman passed away March 13, 2016. He was born the first son of Merle Franklin Stockman and Margaret Bunyan in Larned, Kansas on May 25, 1926. His three siblings Richard Stockman, Marjory Gossler and Russell Stockman survive him. John grew up in Rogue River, Oregon and graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. John joined the Air Corp in 1944 and was stationed at Camp Williams, Utah. There he met and married Edna Herron in 1946. John obtained a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Colorado and started work for Boeing Aircraft Co. in Seattle in 1951. John was involved with the beginning phases of computers and in the mid 1960’s spent 2 years in Canberra, Australia setting up the Australian Government’s computer system.

John joined the LDS Church in 1970 and has served unceasingly since then. He was the Bishop of Wilshire Ward in Los Angeles and the Branch President in Port Orford Oregon.

After the death of Edna in 1988, John married Merlene Guymon in July 1989. Together they served a full time mission at the Family History Library in SLC. They then sold their home in Oregon and moved to Salt Lake and served three years in the Special Curriculum Department and eight more years as Church Service missionaries at the Family History Library.

John was very active with the Boy Scouts of America working with both Scouts and adult leaders in Wood Badge Training for many years. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1981.

John was a kind, gentle and loving husband, father and grandfather. He lived a life of service and kindness. John was compassionate to all – never saying anything just quietly reaching out doing good deeds. He will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his wife Merlene, his mother-in-law Vila Ponsonby, two daughters Karen Guymon (Stephan) and Kristin Coil (Michael) 7 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. John is also survived by Merlene’s children Robert Allred (Kathleen), Kym Johnsen (William) and Steven Allred (Cynthia) and 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his wife Edna and a great grandson Landon Williams.

There will be a viewing at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel 3401 Highland Dr. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 12:30 pm with the Funeral to start at 2:00 pm.