John Oren Canfield

John Oren Canfield

John Oren Canfield of Layton, Utah, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008. He was born February 11, 1923, in Howell, Utah, the 5th child of Clara and Owen Canfield. He attended schools in Tremonton, Bear River High School, and graduated from Utah State College with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. He volunteered for the USAF, served in the European Theatre of World War II as a fighter pilot in P-47''s (92 missions), was a POW in Germany, served during the Korean Conflict, and also served a year in Vietnam (over 100 missions).

John married Ora Fuller Canfield April 3, 1946, in the Logan LDS Temple. His military service took his family to many locations including Sacramento, California; Tucson, Arizona; Madrid, Spain; Mobile, Alabama, and Utah. When he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, he trained other pilots and then was selected to obtain a quadruple aeronautical rating. He flew many experimental missions in the B-47.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Sunday School president, Mutual, Stake Seventies President, Stake Mission, and Ward and Stake Financial Clerk.

His greatest love was his family, flying airplanes, golf, and reading. He retired from the USAF August 31, 1975, with over 32 years of military service. The Distinguished Flying Cross was one of his prized medals. John was very proud of his family, proud to be an American, proud of being able to serve his country, and proud of the part he played in helping to preserve the freedom of America.

Survivors include his wife and children, Karlin, Christie, Mary, Anthony (Catherine), and Sheila (Brian) Keyes; grandchildren: Brendan, Nicholas, and Allysa (Canfield), Steven, Andrea, Melinda, and Nathan (Keyes). He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Norman and Harry Canfield, and his two sisters Catherine Kupfer and Olive Moffit.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15, 1008 at 2 p.m. at the Kays Creek Stake Center, 2680 E. Cherry Lane, Layton, Utah. Family and friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist''s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for him, especially Drs. Kithas, Alexander, Pombo, and Trask.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent for the care of veteran patients (VAMC Control Point 1033) at the VA Medical Center, Mail Code 135, 500 Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84148.