Jack Hill Coburn

Jack Hill Coburn, 84, was ?taken home to that God who gave him life? on November 12, 2004. Jack was born in Wellsville, Utah on October 30, 1920 to Fred Leatham and Celia Poppleton Hill Coburn. He was the fourth son and the fifth of nine children. Shortly after he was born the family moved to a farm two miles north of Smithfield and it was here Jack grew up. Jack attended Smithfield Elementary and North Cache High School. During his high school years, the family bought a farm in Oxford, Idaho and Jack graduated from Downey High School. Jack served his first mission to the Southern States Mission. Upon completion of his missionary service, Jack was drafted into the Navy toward the end of World War II. He served on an LCI as a quartermaster third class in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning to Oxford, he met his sweet, eternal companion, Lenora Hatch and they were married on December 19, 1947, in the Logan Temple. They made their first home in Oxford, where he farmed and they ran a small store. In the early 1950?s, Jack was called to be the bishop of the Oxford Ward. Some thought he was a little young to be the bishop, but his enthusiasm, especially for missionary work, inspired the young men in Oxford and many served missions?there were 12 missionaries serving at one time while he was bishop. Statistics indicate that Jack and Lenora had no children, but that is wrong. Through tragedies in others lives, they helped to form the character of six children. In July of 1953, Jack?s brother?s wife died. At this time, they moved to the Jerome, Idaho area and took care of Jack?s brother?s three small children, Faye, Peggy and Denny, and loved and raised them as their own. They moved the children to Aberdeen, Idaho where they bought a 600-acre farm. Jack worked the farm and battled rabbits while working at the cheese plant to support the family. Years later, they took in three of Faye?s children, Tina, Eddie and Michael, and got them started to school while their mother was recovering from an illness. In 1960, Jack and Lenora moved to Clarkston, Utah, to take care of Lenora?s mother and Jack worked at Thiokol. They moved to Smithfield in 1962 where they bought a dairy and farm where they lived until they retired and moved to ?the island? in Logan. Jack also worked as a mail carrier for many years in Smithfield to help support the farm. In April 1980 Jack and Lenora were called to be workers in the Logan Temple. In 1989 he was called on his second mission with his wife to Mexico City where they worked in the Temple. Upon returning home, they again worked in the Logan Temple and were instrumental in bringing about Spanish speaking sessions there. Jack and Lenora loved the Spanish-speaking people and enjoyed many years with the Spanish Branch. Jack was a hard worker and he enjoyed whatever work he was doing. He served many positions in the church and was esteemed a great teacher of gospel doctrine. He loved horses, hiking and being outdoors. Lenora passed away on February 22, 2000. Jack then married the lovely Clea Merrill, whom he had known since the first grade. She also worked at the Logan Temple. Jack and Clea shared their vows for time in the Logan Temple July 28, 2000. Their companionship was wonderfully woven with the love of the gospel, family and friends. Jack and Clea loved to share good literature together. They traveled to Alaska and Mexico. They made their home in Smithfield and spent the last two winters in Quartzite, Arizona. Jack is survived by his wife, Clea M. Coburn, Clinton, Utah, three sisters: Lucille Gyllenskog, Nyssa Oregon, Colleen Sorenson, Rigby, Idaho and Marie Blauer, Brigham City, Utah. Two brothers: Seth Coburn, Oxford Idaho and Melvin Coburn, Deweyville, Utah. Two step-daughters, Dallis Brown, Clearfield, Utah, Karren Olson, Washington and many step grandchildren among whom was Terri Cronquist who he was especially close to. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lenora, and three brothers: Fred ?Louis? Coburn, William Leon ?Lee? Coburn and Carl Coburn. Now is the winter of my discontent made glorious spring. The righteous strength we felt here will now be a light unto many in the spirit world. We love you and let you go now to bless the lives of others whom we cannot see. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 12 noon in the Smithfield 1st/2nd Ward chapel, 175 South 100 West with Bishop Steven Jenson conducting. Friends may call at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield, Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery with military rites by the Smithfield American Legion.