John Theodore Soules' Obituary
On August 27, 2021, John Theodore Soules died at his home of complication from surgery. He was 64 years old.
John Theodore Soules was born on March 17th, 1957 in Olean, New York to Robert and Thelma Swift Soules. Because of his father's health, the family moved from Pennsylvania to Arvada, Colorado. John attended schoolsand graduated from Arvada West High School in 1975. He worked as a cook at Bernard's Restaurant and went on to work in Food Service for forty-six years. His last job was working as a manager for Olympus Ranch Senior Retirement in Murray, Utah.
John joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his senior year of high school and in May of 1976 John served a full-time mission for his church in the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission and ended his missionin the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. He served as a Young Men's President, Bishop, and on Stake High Priest Council, a Seventy, and many other leadership position.
John married Shelley Upchurch in the Salt Lake Temple on March 10, 1979.They met while both were serving as missionaries. To their marriage, they welcomed sons, Nicholas John and Nathan Robert, and a daughter, AmberLynette.
John loved all sports but he especially loved the Denver Broncos and the Denver Nuggets. John would never turn down the opportunity to watch BYU football. Most of all he loved to watch his kids play sports. Heloved to play cards and tell stories like no one else could. He was very competitive in any game he played. His personality was infectious and loving. No one could walk away without enjoying being with him. He had a twinkle in his eye. He was always happy.John loved to grocery shop. If you couldn't find him, you just had to go to the Meat department. His family lovingly called him the carnivore.
His children and grandsons were the light of his life. He took every chance he could to spend time with his family. He was the rock for everyone that needed him. John always brought a joke or a story to bring levityto the situation. John was always 20 minutes early to appointments. He did not like to be late to anything. John took his responsibilities seriously and you could always count on him to be there for you if you needed him. His compassion knew no bounds.
John is survived by his wife Shelley of forty-two years, his beloved children, Nicholas (Meaghan), Nathan and Amber Soules, two grandsons Kiyon and Anston Soules and siblings Christine Pinder, of Denver, Colorado,Pamela Moore of Castle Dale, Utah and a half brother, Robert Swift. John was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Thelma Soules and younger brother Sylas Soules.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be on September 11, 2021 from 2:00 pm.~4:00 pm. It will be held at 971 East 5600 South, Murray, Utah. Parking will be available at the Revere Street Church and a bus will be there to shuttle you into the community.
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Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
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