John Wayne Elson

John Elson passed away on Sunday December 14th. He was born January 9th 1954 in Canton, IL and graduated from Phoenix South Mountain High School in 1972. He was an amazing athlete in high school, one of his favorite sports was basketball and he was known by the nickname “Casper” by his teammates. He was one of the most incredible daddies in the world to his daughters Heather and Amanda. John was always there for his daughters for everything. EVERYTHING! He attended all their school events throughout the years no matter what the cost. The many events included Dive Meets, Cross-country races, Track and Field competitions, Marching Band, and even boring Academic Decathlon. John always supported his girls and would have given them the world if he could. He always told them “they were his everything.” He loved them with all his heart and wanted nothing more than to spend time with them. His daughters will always remember him and he will stay in their hearts forever. The last two years he worked incredibly hard to be a healthier and stronger person. Most days John walked 5 miles and was eating healthy again. He absolutely loved Salad – N – Go always getting his order with extra sarracha sauce, as he loved his spicy food, with black tea “no straw.” Losing 100 lbs over the course of his life style change, allowed John to gain his self-confidence along with his love of life. He especially enjoyed hiking in the Rocky Mountains, tailgating at ASU football games, taking trips to Munds Park to visit his friends, walking in the Riparian Reserve, watching car-racing, and teasing his dog, Toby. John was employed at Costco and worked there since 1978 when the first Price Club/Costco club opened in Arizona. John was very much loved and adored by his co-workers. He was friends with so many people and was one of the nicest and sweetest person anyone has ever met. He inspired many with his determination and hard-work. John is survived by his two precious daughters Heather Gauthier and Amanda Elson, his mother Norma Elson and birth mother Joann McCellan, his sisters Jill Lohman, Gina Dobbs, Carla Sue Pugh, Jennifer Elson and brother Edward Elson. He found happiness in his life and he will always be remembered for his big kind tender heart, his warm hugs, his loving smile, sometimes his stubbornness and his amazing love for his daughters, family and friends. I’m almost positive my dad is thinking right now “I can’t believe you are NOT having a viewing, now no-one will see how skinny I am.” In lieu of flowers the family is asking if you could please make donation to one or all of these organizations that John supported: - Sun Devils Club Contact: Joyce Phone: 480-727-7700 - Riparian Preserve in Gilbert Contact: Jennifer Lauria Phone: 480-503-6234 - AZ Beagle Rescue www.azbeaglerescue.com

John Wayne Elson

January 9, 1954 - December 14, 2014