John Jessop, 83

John was born to Joseph S. Jessop and Gertrude A. Jessop in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was the youngest twin in his family. He spent his youth in Hildale, Utah, developing a love for horses and the El Capitan trails. As a young man, he left home and moved to California, where he met and married Karen Lowe. They adopted their daughter, Susan, and had their son, John. The family later relocated to Alaska, where John worked as a welder and pipefitter until their divorce in 1971.

John later met Linda Colwell, marrying her in May 1973. They raised their children, Hector, Henry, Deanna and Marcie, while John worked on the Alaska pipeline for many years. In 1988, after retiring from the Pipefitters Union, they moved to North Idaho to be closer to Linda's family.

John spent much of his time tinkering, as he would call it. Getting back into horses and rescuing wild mustangs. Most would say he never fully retired. He did some horse logging and metal fabricating and worked part time helping repair equipment for friends who operated farms and a few construction companies. He always had a welding project going, whether for a friend, neighbor or one of the kids. He enjoyed gardening and watching the birds in his yard. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always the life of the party, John brought love and joy to those around him and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his mother-in-law, Marcella Matthews (Liberty Lake, Wash.); siblings Joseph C. Jessop, M. Hyrum Jessop, Ellen Holm and Mable Johnson; children Hector (Post Falls, Idaho), Henry and Jody (Seattle), Deanna (Athol, Idaho), John and Lisa (Eugene, Ore.), Susan (Eugene, Ore.), and Marcie and Travis Galloway (Post Falls, Idaho), along with 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Jessop, father Joseph S. Jessop, mother Gertrude A. Jessop and siblings Thomas, William and Albert Jessop.

A memorial service for John will be held Sunday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at Living Hope Church/Christian Center School, 3639 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.