John Amos Crooks

In the afternoon of August 3, 2023, John Amos Crooks drew his last breath signifying the end of a life well lived. His wife, daughters, and granddaughter were with him, sending him on to his next journey.

When it comes to matters of the heart, John was well versed. He was born February 3, 1936 to Niles and Anna Crooks. John and his parents lived in Shelley, Idaho. Shelley was John’s first great love where he lived and thrived amongst a vast community of his family of Crooks and Harkers.

John attended schools in Shelley where he excelled in friends, music, baseball, and basketball. All these he loved dearly along with fishing and hunting, but his most favorite things to do were to perfect his piano skills under his mother’s guidance, spend time with his father in the family grocery store, Crooks Food Center, and ride horses. He graduated from Shelley High School in 1953. After high school, he attended Ricks College.

John’s heart was full, but he had another great love, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. John was called to serve a two year mission in the North Central States. He blossomed in new avenues on his mission by becoming a scripture extraordinaire, prolific speaker, great friend to his companions, and counselor to the mission president.

When John’s two years of service to the church were through, he attended Brigham Young University where he received a BS Degree in Business Management. Later, he received a Masters Degree from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. During his years at BYU, John met the one thing that toppled his love for horses, hunting, fishing, and sports. That one thing came by way of an Economics class, a horrible teacher, all male students, and one lone woman- Jalair Knudson from Tecumseh, Michigan.

It didn’t take long before they were married on September 9, 1960, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were married 63 years. Through their union, John and Jalair were blessed with three daughters, Eileen (Dan) Ruth, Valynne (Bill) Underwood, and Pam (Chris) Arvas. John was blessed with six grandchildren, Shawn, Amanda, Jared, Delaney, Maren, and Ryan.

John loved small towns and raised his family in Rupert, Soda Springs, Rexburg, and Mackay Idaho. Some of his closest friends he met during his time in Mackay where he was able to spend time doing the things he loved, riding horses, hunting, fishing, and helping the ranchers in the Lost River Valley. The family’s time in Mackay ended with a job transfer to Pocatello, Idaho.

John’s career in banking was fulfilled at Idaho First National Bank, Idaho Bank & Trust and finally Key Bank where he worked as a Loan Officer, Commercial Loan Officer, Manager, Vice President, and Regional Bank Auditor. Also during this time, John served as Business Division Chairman of the United Way; Director and Past Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce; Club President, Lieutenant Governor, District Governor for the Utah and Idaho Kiwanis Club; County Chairman for the March of Dimes; and Chairman for the Heart Association.

John was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved to serve in the name of the church performing the duties of Elders Quorum President, High Priest, Executive Secretary to the stake president, High Counsilor, and Second Counselor to the Stake President.

One of the biggest matters of the heart for John came when he was close to retirement. John’s heart was having some complications, and he was placed on the heart transplant list. On April 7, 1999, John became the recipient of a new heart. After the transplant, he resumed traveling, hunting, fishing, and took up photography. He was also able to serve a second mission-this time with his wife, Jalair, serving at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Within the last year of his life, John received one of his most treasured blessings. He was granted great grandchildren-Oliver, Charlie, and Harper.

While now John is no longer with us, it is a matter of heart that continues with his wife, Jalair, daughters Eileen, Valynne, and Pam, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He has left them all with full hearts and much love.

A viewing will be held Thursday evening, August 10, 2023, 6-8 pm at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID. Services will be conducted Friday, August 11, 2023, 11 am at the Walnut Ward Building on 954 E Walnut St. Pocatello, Idaho. The family will receive friends and family prior to services from 10-10:45 am at the Walnut Ward Building. Interment will be located in Shelley, Idaho at Hillcrest Cemetery on Cemetery Rd.

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