James Rich

James Alan Rich

05/18/1950 – 04/08/2013

With his family at his bedside, James Alan Rich peacefully returned home to his Heavenly Father and family loved ones on April 8, 2013. Jim was born May 18, 1950 in Rexburg, Idaho to Sterling and Beth Rich and later moved with his family to Salt Lake. Many happy years were spent in the Herbert Avenue home. He was a talented athlete at East High School, lettering in baseball, football and wrestling, was student body men’s President and was crowned ‘The Fairest Wheel’ by the female students. After attending two years at the University of Utah, he fulfilled an LDS mission to Tahiti and returned to complete his bachelors and Masters degrees of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was a talented musician, playing bassoon in the Mormon Youth Symphony but his expertise at playing the musical ‘saw’, won him true fame! He worked as a design engineer with The Dennis Group for the last 13 years before retiring. He was well respected for his knowledge, work ethic and patient, easy going demeanor. A co-worker said of his perseverance with getting things right; ‘He was like rain working on a piece of Vermont granite; where the only thing that matters is time!

In 1977 he married Joanne Patterson in the Salt Lake Temple. Their marriage was a sweet companionship filled with joy, laughter, and genuine love and respect for each other. Jim’s five children will remember their Dad as one who loved to share in their adventures; be it on bike trails, scuba diving in the Caribbean, boating and water skiing on Bear Lake, family outings, with friends and at school activities. Love for family was added upon by 13 grandchildren, his great and complete joy! He served faithfully in many church callings and especially loved being a leader of scouts and youth. Even as his physical strength diminished, his example of courage, compassion, faith in the Gospel and sincere interest in others remained constant.

Jim is survived by his wife Joanne, children Coby (Tiffany), Ben (Whitney), Pat (Anna-Lisa), Bobby (Sara) and Marianne (Lance) as well as 12 grandchildren and five siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Bob, sister Jane and grandson Jack.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday April 13 ^th at the Cottonwood Creek Stake Center 1535 East Creek Road. A viewing will be held at the same location, Friday evening from 6-8pm and from 10-11:30am Saturday morning prior to the service. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers, neighbors and loved ones who have helped Jim through his battle with ALS.

Online condolences www.cannonmortuary.com