John Miles Ludlow, 77, passed away September 22, 2018 in Nephi, Utah. A great man, husband, father, brother, and uncle, who fought the good fight after more than fifteen years of struggling with the effects of a stroke and macular degeneration. John often said to his sons, “If you concentrate on filling the back of the shovel, the front will take care of itself”.
After a full life, John certainly filled the back of the shovel. John was born December 1, 1940 in Payson, Utah to John Mark Ludlow and Edna Mae Loveless. He lived in Spanish Fork until the age of five, when his family moved to Nephi to establish Nephi Lumber.
John was one of the first lifeguards at the Nephi City pool, where he met his sweetheart Gayle Ann Wilkey. He served in the Southwest Indian Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he gained a life-long love for the Native American people and their culture. When he returned home, he married Gayle on August 20, 1964 in the Salt Lake Temple.
John graduated from Brigham Young University, with a Degree in Zoology, then returned to Nephi to work with his dad at the lumber yard, where they later added a concrete business. Even though John worked with wood, rocks and sand, he never lost his interest in lizards, bugs and snakes. In his spare time, John volunteered as a member of the Nephi City Fire Department and Ambulance Crew.
He also spent 23 years in the Utah National Guard. After retiring, despite his recently acquired disabilities, he kept himself busy building wooden marble games, maintaining aquariums, collecting windchimes and cacti, watching Hallmark Movies, and eating hamburgers without pickles or chicken tacos without cheese. John loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was a devoted member of The Church.
He served in many callings throughout his life, including: Stake High Council, High Priest Group Leader, a member of the Branch Presidency serving over the Juab County Jail. John’s love for his wife and children was evident in his support. He attended all of their dance performances, motocross races, wrestling matches and whatever else they did.
And when Gayle took up storytelling, he joined her too. He was preceded in death by his father Jack and his mother Edna Mae. He leaves behind his loving wife, Gayle, of more than 54 years, his daughter Cindy (Gary) Whipple, and sons Rodney (Angie) Ludlow, Waylund (Marsha) Ludlow, and Chet (Karyn) Ludlow, sixteen grandchildren and siblings Stephen, Diane, and Carol.
A viewing will be held Wednesday, September 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 27 at the Nephi Utah Stake Center, 351 North 100 West, Nephi, Utah, with a viewing one hour prior to services. Interment at the Nephi Vine Bluff Cemetery.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers and friends who have helped John and shared a smile and a laugh with him.
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