John McMaster

JOHN STUART McMASTER

1934-2014

John Stuart McMaster was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Oct 31, 1934.  He died peacefully Wednesday, May 28, 2014.

John and his 3 siblings were raised in a home of love and music with parents John Stuart and Clara McMaster.  He graduated from East High School where he excelled in a’cappella choir, varsity basketball and singing in the school quartet.   After high school, he attended the University of Utah and graduated from the University of California School of Dentistry.  He served as a Captain in the United States Air Force where he was stationed for 2 years at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.  He married Janet Boyer and began his family and career in Salt Lake City. He founded the Highland Dental Clinic which was the first of its kind to bring together specialists from several dental fields to a single location.  Bringing people together to collaborate talents, ideas or music was always enjoyable for him.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He held many church callings and developed strong ties to the people with whom he served.

John loved spending time with his family.  He coached baseball and basketball teams and loved playing golf and tennis with his children.  During cold winters, he would build backyard ice rinks for his kids.  Several Christmas mornings were spent unwrapping new skates and enjoying the rink with the whole family.  John loved being on vacation with his family.  He especially loved the surf of Newport Beach and the mountains surrounding Sun Valley.

From his earliest days, music played a significant role in his life.  He was talented in playing guitar, piano, banjo, and ukulele.   At the University of Utah he sang in an award-winning quartet (the Quartones) and maintained those strong friendships throughout his life. His children have warm memories of staying up late and listening to him play the guitar by the fire. His John Denver tunes could both comfort and energize the home.  At family parties, John and his siblings would always delight the cousins with music and song.

He loved drives to Brigham City and always picked up peaches along the old highway.  John was happiest when surrounded by nature.   He was often moved during his scenic drives to stop and paint a rustic barn or a verdant hillside. Photography and painting were lifelong hobbies.

He is survived by his sister Diane McCoun, brother Brent (Diane), sister-in law Karen and children Melanie, John, Rob (Allison), Paul (Tina), Laura (Scott) and 18 grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents Clara and Stuart and his brother Tom.

The family is grateful for the kind services of all those at Emeritus Assisted Living Center.  Their compassion and thoughtfulness made a significant difference to the quality of his life.

Funeral services will be held in the Monument Park 9th Ward, 1565 South Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. at 11:00 am on Monday, June 2, 2014.  There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:45 am.   Interment will be at the Brigham City Cemetery at 3:00 pm.  Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com