John Stanger

JOHN STANGER IDAHO FALLS, ID -- John Gary Stanger of Idaho Falls, passed away April 9, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his beloved family, from bone marrow cancer. John was born on March 3, 1939, at the LDS Hospital by the river in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was the son of Albert George (Bert) Stanger and Phyllis Shirley Stanger. John was the third of three children born to Bert and Phyllis. John's childhood was spent in Idaho Falls. He attended grade school at Eastside Elementary and Emerson Elementary. He attended O.E. Bell Junior High and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1957. He attended the University of Idaho and Brigham Young University, where he graduated with a degree in Business and Fine Arts. He married Marsha Corey on August 5, 1960 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. After graduating from college in 1961, John and Marsha returned to Idaho Falls, where John joined his father at Idaho Bonded Produce, the family potato business. John learned every aspect of the business through hard work and diligence. In 1973 John moved the location of Idaho Falls Bonded Produce warehouse from its South Boulevard location to a new larger facility located on Lincoln Road. At that time it was one of the largest potato shipping warehouses in Idaho. In 1989 John sold Idaho Bonded to the J.R. Simplot Co. He stayed there working as their fresh marketing director. In 1996 he left Simplot and established ProFresh LLC, where he had the exclusive marketing rights for all potatoes and onions packed under the "Dole" label. A few years later John, his son, Kevin, and Albert Wada formed a partnership which is now known as Wada Farms Marketing Group. John was working there as the Vice President of Marketing at the time of his death. John was very active in various levels of the potato industry. He served on the Board of the Directors of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and on several of their committees. He has also served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Idaho Grower Shippers Association. In addition, he has served as a member of the Idaho Potato Commission. He was given the Idaho Potato Aristocrat award in 2005, honor given to those who have contributed greatly to the Idaho Potato industry. Over the past 14 years one of John’s greatest passions has been working with the Idaho Youth Ranch, which provides troubled children and families a bridge to a valued, responsible and productive future. He served on the board of directors and as the chairman for two years. John was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved and honored his beliefs and served diligently in many callings. He served as a counselor and clerk in several bishoprics, as well as an Explorer Advisor, Young Men’s President, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Temple Worker, and a member of the Ammon West Stake High Council. John loved spending time with his family and friends. He spent many hours working at his cabin in Island Park, making it a lovely place to have fun with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, working in the yard, water skiing and snow skiing in his younger years and listening to beautiful music. He was very devoted to his work and love his association with his friends in the potato industry. He and his wife loved traveling with dear friends to Alaska, Canada and the Caribbean. He was a hard working, kind, and gentle man. He did many kind things for people anonymously. He was loved deeply by his grandchildren and children. He was a great example of hard work, selflessness, and integrity. John was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Phyllis Stanger; his brother, Richard; his grandson Christopher. He is survived by his wife, Marsha; his son, Kevin(Jody); and daughters Tammy Thompson (Harold), and Laurie Anderson (Darrell); his sister Shirley Berrett (Russ) and his nine grandchildren - Lyndsey Stanger Hall (Cole), Audrey Stanger (serving a mission in New York), Carly Stanger, Jamie Stanger, Cory Thompson, McKenzie Thompson, Jordan Anderson, Courtney Anderson, and Brinley Anderson. He provided a wonderful life for his family and the absence of his presence will be felt by many. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Taylor Mountain Stake Center, 260 Castlerock Lane. There will be a viewing from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. and again Monday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. at the church, prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Idaho Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 8538, Boise, ID 83707 or Waldonstrom’s Foundation at www.iwmf.com. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Carol (Maxfield) Jensen I was so sad to learn about John. I have known him for a lot of years. My first job was at one of the office spaces at Bonded Produce back in 1960. I even took some letters in shorthand for Bert. John used to come to my current business (First American Title) to get documents notarized and he always repaid me with a warm handshake and his kind smile and some potatoes. I had no idea he was even ill. Please know I care and express my thoughts of sympathy and love to all of you at this tender time. Remember memories are the legacy of love. May you feel Heavenly Father's gentle, loving arms around all of you to give you comfort, hope, and peace and an understanding that all will be well, the clouds will move and the sun will shine again. Stay close to each other and just take one day at a time. Have faith and remember... "If God brings you to it...He will bring you through it." My prayers will be with all of you. Carol Brent Strong rentmstrong@msn.com Dear Marsha, I needn't tell you how saddened I was to read in the paper this morning of the passing of John. As I remember him from high school, he was a gentle and kind friend. I am sure he only got better over the years. Times like this make us especially thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which puts everything into perspective. Please know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, and in brotherly love, Brent Alesa Gaffner Skillings Dear Laurie and Family - I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I always thought he was such a wonderful man! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lane and Mary Monson sshr1@aol.com Dear Stangers, We are so sad to hear about John's passing, every time I pick up potaoes I think of him. John was ALWAYS kind and loving and fun to visit with. We shall miss knowing he isnt here. Love to you all. Lane and Mary Monson Ray and Richard Tominaga RKT57@Q.com Dear, Kevin and Family, It is difficult to tell you how deeply I feel about Johns' death. What started many years ago as a business relationship between Idaho Bonded and the Tominagas' quickly became a warm friendship. It was a privilege to have known him so well, and I will never forget his sense of fairness and integrity. With great personal sorrow, I ask to share your loss and extend my heartfelt sympathy. Sincerely, Ray and Richard Tominaga Don and Nancy Longwith Shirley and Russ, our condolances go out to you and your family at this difficult time. I know you will have wonderful memories of your brother. We extend our deepest sympathies to you in your loss. Don and Nancy Kelli J. Nadauld-Fife kelli.fife@azwebmail.midwestern.edu I was saddened to read of John's passing. "Looking back on the effort, you'll be thankful you did it. Looking back on the challenges, you'll know how much stronger and more capable they made you. Looking back on the whole experience, you'll realize that your commitment and persistence took you somewhere special. They took you precisely where you had chosen to go....the rewards are many." --Ralph Marsten John and Marilyn Harris johnmarilynharris@msn.com Dear Stangers, Marilyn and I are sadden for the lose of your husband, father, and grandfather. However, we are happy with the knowledge that he has been taken home to that God who gave him life and as a righteous servant has been received into a state of happiness, or paradise, a state or rest, a state of peace, where he shall rest from all his troubles and care and sorrow and where he will prepare the way for all of this family who will some day join him in a glorious reunion. What blessing and a privilage it is and has been to be aquainted with such a great man and his family. People who make you want to be better. Our thought and prayers are with you at this difficult time of lose. God Bless. Ray and Ivy Berry Marsha and Shirley: We are so very sadden to hear about John. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your families. May God's loving arms with around you. Kim Hall Kim.hall@bateman-hall.com Shirley, Kevin & Lyndsey, I am so sorry to hear about John I knew he had been ill but I guess that I didn't realize how ill. I wish the best and while it may not be a durprise it is always a difficult time. May God bless you though this time.The submitted value of field named "Your Name:" is: Jeanne and Gene Sherman shermanwlwc@aol.com To Marsha and Family -- We are so sad about John's passing. We have nothing but fond memories of our association with him and you in years past. John was always such a kind, gentle soul with a great sense of humor -- easy to be around, easy to talk to, with that slightly mischievous grin. He will be missed by all who knew him. With sympathy and kindest thoughts to all, Jeanne and Gene Sherman. Byron Wheatley We express our sympathy to Marsha and the Stanger family. We have a faith to know that John is released to ta better life than here, however, the abscence and longing for his company is a natural human passion. May the Lord bless you all at this time and may you all know that you are surrounded by many that care. With our love, Byron and Marilyn Wheatley Ken Gray ken@bushwickpotato.com Kevin & Family, Our deepest condolences extended from all of us at Bushwick Potato. Our thoughts and wishes are with you through this difficult time. Regards, Ken Gray, David Gray, Jack christi clapp idahchristi@aol.com Tammy, Harold and kids i am so sorry for your loss i know words like this don't mean much at a time like this but you are in my thoughts and prayers. Cy Holden, III cyholden@cableone.net I was greatly saddened to hear of John's passing. He was an honorableable besinessman and a gentleman. I'm certain that my late father would join me in this sentiment. I hold every member of your family in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Kindest personal regards, Cy Holden, III Ed Romanelli VP Sales Agrow Fresh Produce Co. I would like to extend my sincere condolence to the Stanger family. John was held in very high regard by the whole Agrow Fresh family and especially by me. In these times of sorrow you can take heart in the fact that John's friends will always remember the honest caring man that he was and we will remember him in our prayers Juice Yan sales@cf-chem.com God bless the good people like him. David, Keith, and Helen Masser hmasser@masserspuds.com We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John. He will be remembered with great respect and fondness by those of us in the potato industry. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Jim and Jeanne Okeson jnjokeson@msn.com We were sorry to read about John's passing away. We have enjoyed our association with him over the years. He will be missed. Our sincere sympathy to Marsha and the family. Jim and Jeanne (still in China) Brett & Sue Manwaring brett@brettmanwaring.com Dear Marsha and your family- So sorry to hear of John's passing. We were so grateful to have been neighbors. We will surely miss John, as you will, but we all have a lot of good memories from Church, neighborhood, sports, and just friends. Please know we think of you all often. Brett & Sue Manwaring Scotland Edinburgh Mission Helen W. Bingham hbingham@infowest.com Dear Marsha and Shirley, I just read about John and so sorry I did not read about it sooner. You will always be in my heart as dear friends, as will John. Love always, Brian Mahaffey Kevin & Family: We share your families loss of John. He cast a long shadow and was known in the industry for his goodness. Our deepest condolences extended from all your friends at the Union Pacific Railroad. Gloria Storer Nadauld gnadauld@comcast.net Dear Marsha and Family, I was so sad to hear of John's passing. My sister Victoria told me just today. I am so sorry for you loss. You will be in my prayers and thoughts. Gloria