John Mitchell Andrews

John Mitchell Andrews, 65, passed away peacefully on March 28th after a 19-month courageous battle with Glioblastoma.

John is survived by his wife Ginnie, his children Rachel and Carson, mother Margaret, sister Elisa (David) Moffitt, siblings-in-law Peter (Jennifer) Games, Deborah Games, and Paul (Amy) Champeau, parents-in-law Fred & Linda Boucher, several nieces and nephews, and his amazing caregiver and friend Lili Smouse, who made John’s last months full of peace and dignity. John is preceded in death by his father William and father-in-law Richard Barry Games.

John was born on July 28, 1959, in Ogden, Utah to William & Margaret Hunt Andrews. Shortly after, the family settled in Los Angeles, California, where John’s sister Lisa was born. John completed his education at San Diego State University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in chemistry.

Early in his teens, John was diagnosed with rheumatic fever. The doctors told him he would no longer be able to participate in physical exercise, and that he would be in a wheelchair by age 40. This was all the motivation John needed to begin running – five miles a day, every day, rain or shine (plastic bags on his shoes in the rain), even though he wasn’t allowed to participate in PE or organized sports. His heart was strong for the rest of his life.

John had an incredible curiosity in a myriad of subjects and learned very quickly. With a computer and a couple of hours, he could quickly become an expert at almost anything. This was very helpful in his job as a research scientist for the Navy, where he worked for 26 years. He worked on many projects in the fields of chemistry, AI, and robotics, and was awarded several patents along the way. He also published and presented many of his research findings.

In addition to his research job, John had a 30-year military career highlighted by awards, medals and honors. He was a reservist in the California National Guard with short bursts of active-duty time. Most notable was his time as Chief of Operations, KFOR Multinational Brigade East, Camp Bondsteel, in Kosovo where he assisted in establishing peace in former Yugoslavia. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019.

John was a devoted father and never missed any of the events his kids were involved in. Even during his cancer battle, he made it to Rachel’s high school performances and Carson’s rock concerts in his wheelchair. He enjoyed volunteering with Carson’s scout troop: with weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and annual trips to Camp Loll. He always encouraged his children to reach their full potential and not settle for the easy route.

John loved to travel; between his research scientist job and his military service, he covered almost every corner of the globe. He earned a position with ONR Global in London, England from 2016-2018 where the entire family had the opportunity to live overseas and experience life “across the pond”. It also gave the family a chance to travel throughout Europe, including walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a true family bonding experience.

John loved to hike, and his simple motto was, “Walk On”. One of his favorite places was the Grand Canyon, a place John and Ginnie hiked rim-to-rim twice during their 23 years of marriage. When John was stationed in Tooele, Utah, he hiked Deseret Peak (an eight-hour hike) almost every weekend. He had incredible stamina for uphill climbs. Once he got started on a hike it was difficult to get him to stop. He always longed to see what was around the next bend.

John retired in 2021 and became a dedicated volunteer for the Bountiful Food Pantry. He developed close friendships with his fellow volunteers, and loved driving the trucks. One defining moment for John was a day he was handing out food from the mobile food truck and a woman started tearing up. She explained that she had been praying for a solution to her empty cupboards, unsure how to feed her family that weekend. John realized at that moment that he was an instrument of God. The experience created such a passion within him that he rarely said ‘no’ to a shift. Anytime the pantry needed someone to drive that truck, he would be there. The pantry was so grateful for his service that he was nominated for the ‘Centerville Citizen of the Year’ award.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am Friday, April 18, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 1320 E 1975 S, Bountiful, UT 84010. Interment will follow the service at the Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery, 1640 Lakeview Dr, Bountiful, UT 84010.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a hike in memory of John. John’s illness made it difficult for him to walk and during the last couple months of his life, he was confined to his bed. John would have given anything for one more hike. Please take that hike for him and enjoy every step… and remember that when that trail becomes difficult, to ‘Walk On.’ The family would also appreciate donations made to the Bountiful Food Pantry.

The family invites all who are unable to attend in person, to join in celebrating the John's life by viewing the memorial service online using the link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5081906741?pwd=9KgFbDbG4mayD53GTRPz8EvntdCoIr.1&omn=82446392272

Meeting ID: 508 190 6741

Passcode: 1234