John Edward Aydelotte

John Edward Aydelotte passed away peacefully March 12, 2019, surrounded by family.  He was born August 8, 1935 in Del Norte Colorado, to Ernest and Alice Aydelotte.  John had a fondness for his small town in Colorado.  During World War II, when he was a young boy in grade school (nine years old), his family uprooted themselves and moved to San Jose, California.  John missed Colorado terribly, and he struggled both socially and academically.  After the war ended, his family returned to Del Norte, where he had to reacquaint himself with old friends, and make new ones, as he fell a year behind in school.

John’s closeness with his family, especially his mother, laid the foundation for a deep love of family, that lives on, even now.  This appreciation for family no doubt had to do with his later conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and it’s focus on eternal family relationships.

John attended high school, and discovered a fondness for theatre, and writing, as well as music.  He participated in his high school productions, often as the lead, and enjoyed these immensely.  John was an articulate, driven individual, who loved people.  His love of learning led to several talents developed throughout his lifetime.

After high school, he applied to Colorado University, and Adams State College, as well as several others.  While he yearned to attend CU, he discovered that Adams State was the only education he could afford, and he majored in history, speech, and education, earning himself a BA.  Part way through his education at Adams State, he ran out of money for tuition.  He was fortunate to have family members who wanted to see him succeed, and an aunt stepped in to take care of the remainder of his tuition. While away at college, his mother became ill, and eventually passed away from cancer.  This was very hard on John, as his parents had to move a bit further away from his dorm when his father had lost his job.

John kept himself busy with good grades, and found his skills at debate, which earned him 1st place at the debate tournament his senior year.  This was the year he also tried his hand at student teaching, which he discovered he did not enjoy at all.  John graduated in June and entered the Naval Academy in July.  Eventually, John trained as an officer in the U.S Navy.  While visiting his friend Tom, in Utah, on leave, he was introduced to Betty, his companion of 57 years.

Reading through some of his journal entries, John made a list of things he wanted to remember.  These were probably in no particular order, but the first two things on that list were the scriptures, and his family (he named them all).  John loved the gospel so much, and understood, with great depth, the power of repentance and forgiveness.  He was a man who knew and understood the purpose of the atonement.  He had a great appreciation of music and knew the impact it could have on developing a testimony.  His great love of hymns was known by most who knew him, and he was equally excited to both sing and share them with others, as he loved playing piano.

John enjoyed a great many things, and had a great many talents, including playing piano, especially church hymns, writing, reading, baking, genealogy, the outdoors, geology, history, a healthy debate over a baseball game with his sons, and always a good joke or pun.  John loved his family.  His eyes would light up, whenever his family would take time to visit with him, whether over the phone or in person.  He liked to know what was going on with each and every one of them.  John is survived by his wife, Betty Aydelotte, to whom he was married for 57 years, his five sons, Jeffrey Aydelotte (Utah), David Aydelotte (Utah), Scot Aydelotte (Alaska), Stephen Aydelotte (North Carolina), and Glenn (Tammy) Aydelotte (Utah), 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 23rd at 11am, at the Foothills Ward building (1475 Cahoon St), in Ogden Utah.