John Alvin Elmer

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John Alvin Elmer, the son of Alvin J. and Merle (Johnson) Elmer, was born Oct. 20, 1943, in Rock Springs. He was welcomed home by his parents and sisters, Judy and Nola. They had recently moved to Birch Creek, Utah, and built a two-room cabin to welcome their new baby.

Dad hadn’t gotten the linoleum laid, so the night mother and John came home from the hospital, late that night, Dad prepared the rough lumber floor by scattering hay over it for padding. Dad pulled the burning cook stove up with chains.

John attended school in McKinnon, where his mother was the teacher. As he became older, he enjoyed playing baseball and played for the Manila Mustangs. He graduated from Green River High School.

He enjoyed playing the guitar and started a dance band called Johnny and the Ridge Runners. They played at the Villa in Manila and all over the West — he was quite the entertainer. Through the years, he met and sometimes played with Tex Ross, Tommy Overstreet, Bobby Bare and Waylon Jennings.

John is survived by his children, Stacey (Troy) Gatherum, Nick (Cindi) Elmer, Tina (Jim) Johnson, Charles (Tomilynn) Elmer, Snow Palmisano, and William (Jamie) Elmer; sister, Nola (Rodney) Bluemel of Lyman; 20 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, at Crandall Funeral Home, 800 Uinta St., Evanston.

Condolences may be expressed at www.crandallfhevanston.com.