John Ward Tatham

John W. Tatham, 67, passed away on March 19, 2023. He was born on June 28, 1955 in Schenectady, New York. He grew up in Wheaton, Illinois and was the middle brother of older brother, Dean and younger brother, Mike.

John attended 2 years of college at Michigan Tech. University in Houghton, Michigan but then transferred to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. With a friend’s help, he found Idaho State University and completed his Bachelor of Nursing degree. John fell in love with Idaho and all of its fishing, hunting, rafting, camping and skiing. He attended Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota to complete his Master of Science degree in Nurse Anesthesia. John found Chris Freeman at college in Yankton, South Dakota and moved with her back to Pocatello, Idaho in 1985. John and Chris were married in 1986. John worked for the Anesthesia Group in Pocatello, providing anesthesia services at Bannock Regional Medical Center and Pocatello Regional Medical Center for almost 30 years.

John was an avid outdoorsman, especially a fisherman. He had a special place in his heart for the South Fork of the Snake River as well as the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, Mark and Laura.

John’s family would like to express deep gratitude to Al and Vivian Meyer for being truly amazing neighbors, especially during these last months as John’s health deteriorated. The Tathams also express love and thanks for John’s long-time fishing buddy, Neil Sweeten and his wife, Chris Beckman, for their true friendship even in tragedy. When we consider the many other family, church members, Enhabit Hospice workers and friends, that compassionately poured out their hearts to love John in his final days, we praise God for the care and mercy we all received in this hard season.

John is survived by his wife, Chris Tatham of Pocatello, ID; son, Mark (Christine) Tatham of Cheney, WA; daughter, Laura (Viktor) Metzler of Germany; brother, Dean (Barb) Tatham of Burien, WA; brother, Mike (Barb) Tatham of Marysville, WA; and one granddaughter, Ella Metzler of Germany.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Marilyn Tatham.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 1350 Baldy Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83201.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Enhabit Hospice or Hands4Uganda.org, where John and Chris have sponsored students at Rock of Ages School in Mbiko, Uganda, for more than 10 years.

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