EVANSTON — John L. Berrier, Jr., age 89, died peacefully Wednesday Aug. 9, in Vernal, Utah, surrounded by loved ones after living a lifetime of service to everyone around him.
John was born in Lyman on June 4, 1928, to John L. ’Jack’ and Leah Voss Berrier, the oldest of six children. Dad loved growing up in Lyman and had many fond memories of his father and especially of their trips into the Uinta Mountains as a family for Sunday dutch oven picnics. His love of the mountains never ended. He talked of his fishing and game hunting, rock hunting and job in his youth as a sheepherder to anyone who would listen.
John graduated from Lyman High School and later from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering. He worked many years in the oil and gas industry and loved his work, making many lifetime friends along the way. John served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. One of his favorite stories to tell was arriving in Alaska in the middle of the night and not being able to find a tent with room for him so he dug a hole in the snow and slept under his truck for the night in well below freezing temperatures.
John married his high school sweetheart, Jean Gross, on May 13, 1950. They were later sealed with their family on June 21, 1969, in the Salt Lake City Temple. During their life together they lived in Church Buttes, Big Piney, Laramie, Hoytsville, Utah; and back to retire in Lyman, purchasing a home across the lane from his brother and sister-in-law’s home. Traveling to North Carolina was one of his favorite things to do, right behind fishing trips to Alaska.
Family meant everything to John and Jean. They would rescue and jump to help anyone in need. Their needs were never put before anyone else. Their home was often filled with family that needed a day or two or even a year to help them out. John cared for Jean during her illness and death in 1998.
Following the death of their spouses, John and Vonda Davidson, while comforting each other, found happiness in their companionship and married in 2000. Vonda died in 2013. When John’s health started to decline, he moved into the Beehive Home in Vernal, Utah and stayed until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Lewis Berrier; his first wife, Leora Jean Gross Berrier; and his second wife, Vonda Bird Davidson Berrier; and a grandson, Michael Berrier.
John is survived by his two children: Michael J. Berrier of Rock Springs, and Cheryl (Craig) Massey of Vernal, Utah; step-children: John (Karla) Davidson of Mendon, Utah; Colleen Platts, Lyman; Linda (Shayne) Gilmore, Evanston; Susan (Chad) Teichert, Star Valley; Miranda (Rich) Hari, Henderson, Nev.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Duane (LuAnn) Berrier, Page Ariz.; Dorothy (Chuck) James, Springville Utah: Gordon Berrier, Lyman; and Kendall (Nancy) Berrier, Rock Springs.
Services will be Saturday, Aug. 19, at noon at the Urie LDS Stake Center in Urie. There will be a viewing prior to the service starting at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Lyman Cemetery.
The family would like to thank all those that have offered love and support and especially the Vernal Beehive Home and Good Shephard Home Care and Hospice for making dad a part of their family and loving him like their own for the past three years. They were angels amongst us.
Condolences may be made at www.crandallfhevanston.com.
