John Earl Bone

On a Sunday Morning in August 1937, John Earl Bone was born in his parents home. Leon V. Bone and Lavina Sorenson Bone with two siblings Don and Rolene welcomed this little brother. He spent his childhood and young years in the nurturing Pioneer Stake area of Salt Lake City. Friends and fun were plentiful, with a homemade basketball court out in a nearby field, swimming in the canal, and crazy games. Lifetime associations were forged here and at West High School.

Earl married Joan Swofford Bone and they enjoyed 55 years together in the East Mill Creek area until Alzheimer's disease claimed his life on Dec 25th. They worked to make their home accommodating and welcoming for their seven children and their spouses: Gerald and Melissa, Bryan and Amy, Randy and Susan, Kevin and Lara, Alan and Amy, Janae and Ryan Nicholes, Camille and Chris Meservy and their 32 grandchildren. Friends were always welcome.

Earl worked hard, was diligent and devoted to family, his employer, Chevron Oil, and forever to friends. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was just something he did. He was a man of great faith. Earl served a mission to the Western States when young, and along with his wife, to Thailand, for eighteen months and as humanitarian missionaries driving a van and conducting tours to visitors in Salt Lake City for seven years.

Earl loved fishing, whether catching was involved or not, playing sports, running and biking, putting together puzzles with his family, and attending and serving in the church. Ice cream and donuts were his great love any time of day.

Earl could stick to a project like no other. His motto and blessing in life was the race is not to the swift, but to he who endures to the end (of the task).

Go Earl, you did it. Bigger ones ahead. Get ready for us. We love you.

There will be a viewing with family and friends on Friday, Dec. 28th 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the chapel at 3408 S Celeste Way, SLC 84109. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29th, 2:00 pm at the same location, followed by an ice cream social.

The Bone family would like to thank Intermountain Hospice for their compassionate care through this difficult transition.