John Allen Bascom's Obituary
October 16, 1948 – August 23, 2025
John Allen Bascom passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025 at the Huntsman Cancer Research Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 76 years old.
Born in Lynwood, California, on October 16, 1948, John was the son of Earl Wesley Bascom and Eunice Nadine Bascom. The family lived in several places in Southern California before settling on a ranch in Victorville in 1975—a place that became central to John’s life and legacy.
Following in his parents’ footsteps, John attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972.
John faithfully served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the France, Switzerland Mission, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with love and conviction.
Upon returning home to California, John joined his father Earl in producing sculpture and bronze castings—first at their home on Corda Drive in Victorville California and later on the family ranch, also in Victorville in the High Desert. Nadine, an artist herself, was a devoted supporter of their creative endeavors. Together, they built a life steeped in artistry, history, and service.
In his parents’ later years, John lovingly cared for them, later with Lisa by his side supporting Nadine. There were many fun times with the oldest and the youngest (Juliette) and any in-between with many friends and family. Before John and Lisa were married Lisa's oldest boy Aaron, went on a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints to Tennessee and her second son, Jeffrey had gone to live in Utah with his father Jene and step mother Connie. Michele, (now Kodie) was actually the first daughter to live on the Ranch until baby Juliette came nine months later. She did a great job of helping the parents out. It was especially exciting for John starting out with a sixteen year old learning to drive and such. When Juliette came along they had such a special bond.
John was deeply involved in the Mojave Historical Society, the Mormon Battalion Reenactments and Heritage Trails Group in the San Bernardino, the San Diego, San Francisco, and High Desert areas, also the Route 66 Museum in Victorville—where he and Lisa first met. He gave lectures, participated, bringing his family along with him and sharing his love of history in the surrounding areas and local communities. Alongside his mother Nadine, Lisa and Juliette in their family band, and a wide circle of talented musician friends, John performed singing, and playing the stand up bass, chopping on the mandolin, playing the spoons and also “Fiddlesticks” dressing up in either Cowboy or Pioneer attire, and delighting audiences with the music and storytelling.
He encouraged his family to enter their art in the San Bernardino Fair each year and took diligent care of the ranch and its horses. He also documented his father Earl’s rodeo experiences and inventions, preserving a great legacy of Rodeo and Western heritage.
In 2005, John and Lisa went to Berlin Germany and helped to sponsor A United States Army Rodeo. John produced sculptures of small bronzed boots with silver patina for the winners instead of the receiving belt buckles. It was a whirlwind experience but very educational and worth it. John and Lisa celebrated their sixth Anniversary there as well.
In that same year John's little family, along with Nadine visited Vernal Utah Rodeo and several others: Salt Lake City, Nephi, and Hesperia CA. What a fun time for the family.
Big Life changes after Nadine passed:
In 2014, John, Lisa, and Juliette moved to Utah, where they continued to build a life of creativity, faith, and community. Before they got their jobs, John and Lisa got to spend several hours working in the Family History Library off of 7200 South in the Second Ward Building.. gleaning as much as they could. Then John worked at PCA box company before becoming a substitute teacher in the Granite School District, as did Lisa (Canyons School District). She also worked two part time jobs before substitute teaching. They quickly connected with Utah’s Pioneer History community and soon met up with Clive Romney and then Ted Shupe who managed kid bands. He took Juliette into his teenage band Sweet water Crossing and introduced her to the Utah music scene. Later John and Lisa along with Ted and Sandy Shupe helping them launch a music festival, the “Wasatch Mountain Music Festival”, now known as the “Ted Fest”—serving on the board and volunteering for over a decade. This was a great experience for the family.
John was diagnosed with stage four cancer two and a half years before his passing. He received exceptional care at the Huntsman Cancer Research Institute and was blessed by Apostle Elder Dale G. Renlund, that he would have time to complete what he needed before returning home to his Heavenly Father.
John is survived by his best friend and wife, Lisa Rae Griffiths, Bascom whom he married and sealed for time and Eternity In the Salt Lake Temple. It's a wonderful thing to think Celestially, and that we can go on after this life as a couple. Her parents: Raymond and Marlene Gae Griffiths, who had seven children between them, Ray(Gwen) had Steven (desceased)(Cindy) and Rex (deceased) (Kim Cahill). Gae had Jeff Anderson (David). After Ray and Gae married four more children came into the family, Lisa, Kevin (Jackie Carlsen), Sherrie,Tony Graham (Tim) and Suzette (Jim, desceased). All of these brought wonderful children into their lives.
John is also survived by his daughter, Juliette Camille Bascom and four stepchildren: James Aaron Jespersen, Jeffrey Christian Jespersen, and Kodie Rae Jespersen, Vaughn. He was preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Rebekah Jespersen.
He is also survived by two grandchildren: Gabriel Peme, son of Kodie Rae Vaughn and her first husband Hernan. Gabriel spent meaningful time with John at the family ranch in Victorville; and Jonas Jespersen, son of James Aaron Jespersen and Audry, he lives in Twin Falls and Boise and has volunteered alongside John at the music festival in Utah. Though distance separated them, John loved those boys deeply and cherished the visits they shared—especially gathering during trips to see Lisa’s mother and family in Utah.
He is also survived by his siblings: Denise, Mel Marion, Doris, David Cox, Glen, Claudia, Donna and Jim Louderback. These siblings have brought many sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren into the family.
John’s life on this Earth was a tapestry of faith, family, art, music, and history. He is deeply missed—but we know he moves swiftly in the spirit world, reunited with loved ones and continuing his joyful work.
Surely, when he met the Savior, he heard the words:
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Memorial Service will be on October 11, 2025
at 11:00am at the Tooele Latter-day Saint Church Building
141 W Utah Ave Tooele, UT 84074
There will be a luncheon after the memorial
There will not be a graveside service.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
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