John Clair Egbert

BURLEY - John Clair Egbert, 82, of Burley, passed away Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at his home.

John was born Sept. 17, 1932, in Leavenworth, Wash., the son of John James and Myrtle Maria Egbert. He attended schools in Leavenworth and Colville, Wash., and graduated from Colville High School. He joined the United States Navy in 1951 and served for 20 years as a Yeoman, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He married D. Jennie Stephenson on Nov. 30, 1956, in Rochester, N.Y., and their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in 1961.

Following his retirement from the Navy, John worked at South Bay Transfer and Storage Company and finished his working career as an inspector for the Civil Service.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as bishop of the Imperial Beach and Otay Mesa Wards in California. Additionally, he and his wife, Jennie, served as missionaries in the Connecticut Hartford Mission and as workers in the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boise Temples. His favorite calling was being a home teacher.

John simply loved people. He enjoyed visiting and sharing life’s events with others. His eyes sparkled and his smile was gentle and contagious. He will be fondly remembered by the young children (and even adults) as the “candy man.” He served as the patriarch of his family and was a devoted husband, dedicated father, and a loving grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Jennie Egbert of Burley; his children, Shirley Ann (Randal) Allred of Laie, Hawaii, John James (Mary) Egbert of Phoenix, Ariz., Janet Claire (Gordon) Hansen of Burley, and Joseph William (Wendy) Egbert of Las Vegas, Nev.; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his beloved sister, LaRue Schmidt of Bothell, Wash; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own.

John was preceded in death by his parents; 15 brothers and sisters; a grandson; and one granddaughter.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Burley West Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2420 Parke Ave., in Burley, with Bishop M. Terry Jeppson officiating. Burial will be in Gem Memorial Gardens in Burley, with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.

The family suggests memorials be directed to the LDS Church General Missionary Fund.