Grant Jeffrey Eldredge

Grant Jeffrey “Johnny” Eldredge, 83, of Millcreek, UT, took the eternal hand of his beloved Creator into the afterlife, passing peacefully at home on Saturday, August 9, 2025. He was known as “Johnny,” born November 12, 1941, to Grant and Estelle Eldredge.

Johnny lived a joyful, loving, and adventurous childhood, often referring to its nostalgia as a true Currier and Ives lifestyle and upbringing, a simpler time of deep-rooted family values and living connected to the land and classic 19th-century Americana. He was proud of his pioneer heritage and the legacy of his ancestors, who took the arduous journey by foot, oxen, and handcart across the U.S. plains in search of religious freedom, settling in what would eventually become Salt Lake City, Utah.

Johnny was a man of infinite passions. Genealogy and the study and documentation of his family history and legacies was one of them. He held many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the years. He took great joy in his years as a Scoutmaster and was honored and blessed to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Johnny was an alumnus of Olympus High School, Class of 1960, and a proud University of Utah football fan. Joining the United States Army immediately after graduation, he was proud to serve his country as a military cook. He chose a career as a Lineman for Utah Power & Light (now Rocky Mountain Power) and retired after 39 years of service. He was a proud union member of IBEW Local 57.

He cherished his retirement years living, loving, and traveling with his wife Becky, and worked part-time at Mick Riley Golf Course as the “Colonel of the Urinal” for 15 years. Achieving a proud and most memorable moment by hitting a hole-in-one in 2015.

Johnny was an enthusiastic outdoorsman who loved nature and animals. He cherished many pets over the years—his horse Chico, his best friend (a blue heeler named Cutter), and dear Slick, to name a few who have traversed ahead of him. Dad had a special relationship with Mother Nature, and family was everything to him.

He was known for being absolutely everyone’s best friend. A wit and humor preceded him that, to this day, is the absolute GOAT. He took every opportunity to bring his family on adventures, camping trips, fishing excursions, and other “stuff like that there.” He loved sharing nature with his family and was never without a camera in hand. He was an avid fly fisherman, a local legend fly-tyer, and considered the rivers his second love.

He was an active and avid sportsman who rode his horse Chico, square danced, drag raced cars, played baseball, fisherman and was an incredible skier. He coached both soccer and Little League teams for all his children and loved supporting his grandchildren from the sidelines even in the last year of his life.

After meeting the love and twin flame of his life, Rebecca Amelia Garcia, he chose her for time and all eternity, marrying on September 27, 1980. Together they created three children and dedicated their lives to raising a blended family of six—with love, constant humor, perseverance, and respect.

His connection with each of his children and grandchildren (known to them as “Paba”) was unique. He never missed an opportunity to celebrate how special each was to him . Taking time individually and often to express his love and gratitude for enriching his life was constant in practice. “Love each other & let us ALL get along” was his motto!

He was truly the kindest, most genuine father and above all, a great friend. He loved God and Jesus Christ above all and truly embodied the kindest, most hilarious, compassionate heart to walk this earth.

Johnny is survived by his beloved and adored wife, Rebecca (Becky) Amelia Eldredge; his beloved family devoted children: Jason (Kristin) Eldredge, Clayton Eldredge, Christina (Thomas) McGee, Carrie Eldredge, Kimberly (Todd) Dohman, and Patrick (Sara) Eldredge; and his cherished grandchildren: Alexandr Payan, Gracie and Noah Eldredge, Lily Coleman, Wilder and Azalea Dohman, and Baby Grant Jeffrey Eldredge. He is also survived by his siblings: Gloria Allan, Steve Eldredge, Scott Eldredge, and Debbie Morris.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Grant William “Pat” and Estelle Eldredge, his sister Annette Dugan, and his brother Courtenay Eldredge.

Our family is especially grateful to the many friends and family near and far who made the last year of Johnny’s life and our time with him a blessing. John was a man who took to his people. He looked forward to each human he met as an opportunity to brighten someone’s day. His bishopric, sacred sacrament young men, fellow church members, his dearest SKAGS, delivery drivers, oxygen techs, and the entire team at Quality Care Hospice—with special gratitude to his nurse and friend Rachel. There are no words, except that we love you all with so much gratitude in our hearts. Dad loved you and no doubt looks forward to “razzin’” you all again someday soon (but hopefully not too soon).

A soulful celebration of Johnny’s life will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Winder Stake Center, 4366 South 1500 East, Millcreek, UT 84124. A celebration of life and the spreading of this great man's ashes across the waters of the Madison River in Montana are also planned, with a date to be determined next year.