Salt Lake City, Utah – John W. Hail passed away on October 3, 2013 at Garden Terrace in Salt Lake City Utah, as a result of cancer. He was 63 years young.
On that last day, John was visited by dear friends Sharen and Rueben, Sam, Monty, Jeff and Grace Johnson, who held his hand during this last journey.
John was born January 16, 1950 in St. George, Utah and with the help of Dr. A.W. McGregor, he found his new mom and dad Shirley and Brown Hail. John lived the ideal life in St. George, surrounded by a loving family and friends and being raised in the sunny red hills of southern Utah. He loved the outdoors, hiking , rock hunting, searching for artifacts, snow shoeing, everything except horses…much to the dismay of his father Brown. To his friends and family John was a quiet and unassuming person with a good heart who was always willing to help friends or neighbors.
After he laid his mother Shirley to rest, in December of 2005, John spent most of his time in the northern Utah area. His pride and joy was his garden and yard which was filled with the native plants he had so carefully gathered and nurtured. That garden was in full and glorious bloom at the time of John’s passing.
John spent many wonderful days with friends, hiking and snow shoeing in the beautiful mountains around the Salt Lake area and having great times meeting his friends for coffee or lunch at the local cafes.
The last few years had been quiet for John, the hikes were less frequent and more of his time was spent at home with friends and neighbors. Very few knew how serious his illness was, because John never wanted to be a burden to anyone.
To his neighbors Rueben and Sharen, who found John in his home that September night and took care of his needs when family couldn’t…..
To his neighbor Joan, who dedicated the last few years to the care of John’s beloved garden and yard ….
To the hiking and coffee buddies…….many who were with John that last day telling stories about their adventures with him……
To his dear friend Grace, who was holding his hand as he hiked the last trail……..
We, John’s family can never fully express the depth of our gratitude for all the love and concern you showed our dear cousin.
John W. Hail was a unique soul on this earth…quiet and dedicated to living his life simply, but determined and stubborn when the situation called for those actions. There will never be another John W. Hail. He blessed the lives of his family and friends but his time here was too short.
For his neighbors, his friends, the caregivers at IMC and Garden Terrace , we …his family are eternally grateful for the love and care you gave our dear cousin John.
Sharlene Pickett, Douglas and Francene Hannig, Carolyn Collins, Dexter Hannig’s family, Cathy Colmenero, and the Sturzneggers, Gene Connie and Gay.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p m at Metcalf Mortuary. Interment will be at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.