John David Durrant

John’s family moved around the country several times during his childhood, finally settling in Sandy, Utah, in 1975. He attended Alta High School, where he discovered his passion for acting. John was a member of the International Thespian Society, and received numerous accolades and awards in theatre. John spent the summer between his sophomore and junior years picking pineapples on the island of Lanai, Hawaii, where he made many memories that he looked back on fondly.

Following high school, John enrolled in the United States Army as an Infantry Soldier. He completed his Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and was then stationed in Stuttgart, Germany for the majority of his four years of service. The final stretch of his military service was completed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. John earned Marksman and Sharpshooter Medals during his time in the army. He was a graduate of both the Primary Leadership Development, and Non-Commissioned Officer Courses. He was also awarded the Professional Development Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal. By the end of his army career, John had worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant.

Following his military service, John worked in a number of fields including construction, laying flooring, carpentry, and building maintenance.

In 1993, John rekindled his love of acting, and began working in musical theatre productions at Desert Star Theatre. He was a hard worker, often working his various construction, maintenance, and carpentry jobs during the day, while also acting at Desert Star Theatre at night and on the weekends. John loved the Desert Star, and he made many wonderful friends there. Some of his best memories were made during his time there. John continued to participate in shows at the Desert Star on and off for over fifteen years.

In February of 1995, John’s daughter, Taylor Devereux Durrant, was born. John had loved the name Taylor for years, and was very proud of the fact that he was able to choose his daughter’s name.

John continued his hard-working lifestyle for nearly a decade. Around the year 2000, John decided that he wanted to go to college, and pursue a career in the medical field.

John graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Degree of Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties from Stevens-Henager College in 2003, and was certified as a Medical Assistant. He continued his education at Stevens-Henager College, earning a degree in Respiratory Therapy, and graduating as valedictorian of his class, in 2005.

After graduating, John spent time working at The Heart and Lung Institute of Utah, Promise Specialty Hospital of Utah, and Pioneer Valley Specialty Hospital. He found his true passion in 2009, when he began caring for veterans as a Respiratory Therapist at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital. John loved serving those who served our country, and he appreciated that he could relate to them as a fellow veteran. He thoroughly enjoyed his ten-year career with the VA Hospital, and made many friends during his time there, as well.

John was an AVID BYU fan. He and his father, David, had season tickets every single year to all of the football home games. He cherished the time he spent with his father at those games, as well as the chance to show off all of his (very fancy) BYU gear and apparel.

John was a beloved father, son, brother, and friend. Those who knew him knew of his wonderful sense of humor, and that he would make a joke or a play on words at every opportunity. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, outrageous storytelling, and as a problem solver and handy man who could fix anything.

John is survived by his father, David, his brothers and sisters-Lisa, Laura, Ryan (Russell), Aimee, Julie, and David, as well as his daughter, Taylor.