John William Morrell

John William Morrell, age 70, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2015 in Salt Lake City with his family at his side. He was born in Salt Lake City on September 3, 1944 to William John and Nella Marcon Morrell. John married Judi Bradshaw on May 23rd 1964 and in the 51 years they were married they had four children- two daughters, Stacee Lynn Morrell Garcia (John) and Christine Morrell; and two sons Curtis John Morrell and Jordan Gabriel Morrell (Brittany). 

John graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in 1962 where he developed a love of sports. He later attended the University of Utah where he earned a baccalaureate degree in Health Education. He accumulated many skills during his time in the work force beginning with Hygeia Ice Company, Pepsico, and various maintenance and construction jobs, including Gibbons and Reed where he built roads and bridges in Utah and Wyoming; he later held a Survey position at Salt Lake City Water Corp. John enjoyed working with his hands and being outdoors. 

While attending the U of U, John joined the Bradshaw Family Real Estate Business where he worked for many years with his wife Judi, her brothers, cousins and parents renovating and building homes and apartments throughout the Salt Lake Valley. During that time he increased his construction knowledge and skills and eventually became a Licensed Real Estate Agent and General Contractor. In 1987, John and Judi purchased the business from her parents and their own children were employed there as well. The company is still owned and operated by the family as a real estate service and property management company. 

John was a long-time member of St. Ann’s Parish, he began attending there with his mother and father at a very young age. He served as the Athletic Director for the parish and ushered for mass on Sunday mornings. 

Throughout his life, John played many sports, his favorites being basketball and golf. In 1965 he began coaching Boys Basketball through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) before it was dissolved. John, along with several other coaches, created the P.A.R.A. youth sports organization to replace the CYO, adding girls sports as well. In all, he put in 50 years of coaching, mentoring, and giving back to the community. 

John had an appreciation for nature and wildlife. He enjoyed time with family, camping, fishing, and golfing. He was devoted to his wife and family and took them on numerous vacations in and out of the country. This spring, John and his wife Judi realized a long-held dream to travel again to Italy on a leisurely tour from Rome to Palermo and then on to Greece where they made many good memories. Later in life, John discovered his passion for cooking and mastering the Italian recipes of his family and many other Italian foods. 

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, generosity, patience, tender heart, compassion toward others, love and devotion to his family, sense of humor, and the delicious meals he prepared. 

He is survived by Judi, his beloved wife of 51 years, their four children and six grandchildren, Jayla, Hailee, Chalice, Danika, Nathan and William. He is survived by his sister Cherie Morrell Royce and her daughter Allie Royce Martir, Allies husband Irvin Martir and their two children Henry and Annalie. He is survived by his sister-in-law Bonnie (Robinson) and brothers-in-law Jonathan, Jeffrey, and Scott Bradshaw and family. 

Funeral services will be held Monday August 17th at 6:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 450 East 2100 South, followed by a celebration of life next door in the recreation center at 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Huntsman Cancer Foundation https://donate.huntsmancancer.org/2015-general-donation