Jean LaVoy Johns

Jean LaVoy Johns, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024, at the age of 88 in her home of Sun City, AZ, surrounded by her children. We celebrate her beautiful life knowing she has returned to our Heavenly Father, loving husband D.R. and family she so dearly missed.

Born October 1, 1936, to Lynn and Mable (Swenson) Hoopes in Osmond, WY, Jean was the second child and oldest daughter of five children. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Kent Lynn Hoopes, Robert M Hoopes; and sisters, Linda K Walton, and Darla E Hoopes; nine brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law. Surviving are sisters-in-law, Jean Johns (Ivan) and Genevieve Johns Allred (Val).

Jean graduated from Star Valley High School in 1954 and soon thereafter married Dale Richard Johns on June 6, 1954. Their first adventure as a married couple, D. R. “Tom” and Jean moved to Moran, WY while Dale worked construction on the Rockefeller Lodge. Shortly after they returned to Star Valley to work on the family ranch to help while younger brothers, Jack and Ivan, joined the military. After working in Wyoming, they moved to Layton, Utah, where they began building their family and multiple homes.

Dale and Jean had seven children during their 66 years of loving and affectionate marriage. Surviving children, Melanie Johns Eason, Russell Lynn Johns, William Glen Johns, Sheila Johns Martinez (Danny), and bonus daughters, Mary Susko Allison (Dave) and Brenda Susko; 13 grandchildren, Tobi Wilson (Marcus), Devan Isom, Austin Wilson, Logan Johns, Nicholas Martinez, Miranda Martinez, Caylie Phelts, Jaime Martinez, Corbin Phelts (Sara), Cameron Phelts, Barrett Allison, and Daviaire Dickerson (Sydney) another bonus family; 18 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her loving husband, “Dale” D.R.; her daughters, baby girl (stillborn), Shellie, and Jill Johns Price; and grandson, Parker Nye Johns.

Jean had a love for learning so when her youngest, Sheila, turned three in 1971, she enrolled in real estate school to be an agent and eventually had her own brokerage firm.

In the 80's when the real estate market dropped, she attended school to be a travel agent. She worked for Delta, Beehive Travel, Weinstocks Travel, and lastly retired from Murdock Travel.

Dale and Jean loved to travel and see the country. They would always try to drive a different route wherever they would go. They retired in a motorhome visiting family and friends along the way chasing the warmth of the sun. Later, they turned in the keys and purchased their last home in Sun City, AZ.

Jean was a woman of many talents. She was beautiful, smart, independent, and a devoted wife. She and Dale worked side by side building beautiful homes for their family and making sentimental pieces for their kids. Jean was a seamstress making costumes for the original Utah Stars, to quilting beautiful blankets for kids and grandkids. She crocheted hot pads and scrubbers. If you knew her you most likely received a scrubber from her as she always loved to gift people with her talents.

Among her many talents she was an amazing mom, she loved her children and all the friends they would bring home with them. She was a mama bear protecting her children and cheerleader telling us we could do anything we were willing to work for.

She loved her family and made sure to stay in touch with aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. I know many of us already miss her phone calls just to tell us how much she loves us.

A graveside service to celebrate Jean’s life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.

The family invites friends and family to join them at an open house following the services until 4 p.m. Location to be announced.