Johnathan Holverson

Johnathan Patrick Holverson, 46, of Pocatello, Idaho, passed away on March 1, 2022. 

John was born August 11, 1975, in Provo, Utah to Marilyn and Leonard Miller. He was their second child. His brother Christopher was a year and a half older.

John’s parents divorced when he was two and the boys and their mom moved back to Pocatello to live with Grandma and Grandpa Martin. John was in seventh heaven as Grandpa Wes was his favorite person. The boys and their PaPa worked in the garden, fished, sold worms, pounded nails, ate PB&J’s together, and just enjoyed life as a trio. When it came time to go to kindergarten, John said, “No thank you. Maybe tomorrow.”  He wanted to stay home with his grandpa and pound nails.

When John was four, his mom met Darrell Holverson. There was an instant attachment between Darrell and John. It may have been that John liked “old” trucks and Darrell drove a very “old” truck. The very first date, John went out and looked over the “old” truck. He came in and asked if that truck was his. Darrell asked “Why”? John then asked Darrell, “Do you love my mother”? Darrell answered yes to both questions, so John said “Okay. Marry her!”  That was in July and in September, they got married. Two years later, Darrell adopted both boys.

John was finally convinced he needed to go to school. He attended Lincoln Elementary for the first 2 years. Then he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and struggled to walk or climb stairs (By the time he was twelve, he was in a wheelchair). The school districted transferred him to Jefferson and provided bus transportation. He finished out elementary school at Jefferson and then went to Irving Junior High and Highland High School as they were wheelchair accessible. After high school, he went on to graduate from the ISU Vo-tech program, getting his CAD drafting certificate. When he graduated, he got a job working with BON Design and Drafting and worked there for 5 years until his muscle disease worsened.

John moved into Portneuf Towers and was able to live on his own in his own apartment. He was able to do this due to Medicaid funded programs that aid special needs people, as well as several agencies in town that provided staff to help him with daily living services. When his parents retired, they purchased a house and installed ramps, rails, etc. so that it would accommodate John’s needs. John rented that house for about 10 years and was still living there at the time of his passing. His house was close to OK Ward Park, and he enjoyed going for walks over to the park to watch the kids play and eat lunch.

John was also diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease and has suffered much the last few years because of this and other diseases. However, John loved life and loved everybody that walked through his door. He was a delight to be around. Once you got to know John, you did not even think about how disabled his frail little body was because his spirit and personality were so grand.

John had quite a will about him. If there was a task he wanted to complete, he would find a way to do it on his own. When someone would ask if he needed help, he would reply, “No. I hunt alone.”  In case you do not recognize that phrase, it comes from Elmer Fudd off the Bugs Bunny cartoons which was one of John’s favorite shows.

John was able to live a full and good life. As a family, we would like to offer our many thanks to all the kind people that helped him along the way. He was able to attend school, work, have his own home, teach Sunday School, go camping, be a boy scout, bless and pass the sacrament at church, go fishing, go to Lagoon, swim, attend Jazz games, and many other experiences that most people take for granted. John even got to pan for gold.

John is survived by his parents, Marilyn and Darrell Holverson; three brothers:  Neil, Chris, and Joel; three sisters:  Melissa, Pam, and Allison; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his aunt Bonnie Young, another aunt and uncle, Bob and Sandra Martin, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents Wes and Thetis Martin, John and Bertha Holverson, and Herbert and Evelyn Miller; his aunts and uncles:  Ron and Connie Martin, John and Darlene Holverson, Larry and Maria Holverson, and Dennis and Carolyn Wilke.  John was also preceded in death by his birth father. 

John’s family would also like to give a special thanks to Dr. Cree and his staff for the help and service they offered to John, Encompass Hospice and Home Health, and his CNA’s (both past and present) as we could not have done it without you!  There are also some special cousins that took over John’s care – Eric, Wendy, Wes, Nikki, John, and Minda. 

A viewing will take place on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wilks Funeral Home.  On March 9, 2022, a Graveside Service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at the “Tribute Wall” tab above.