John M. Lage

It is with heavy and saddened hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend John Lage. On the cold morning of January 23, of 1958 William C. Lage and Betty G. Lage of East Ely, Nevada, welcomed a baby boy. John was preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Deborah. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Fritche) and sister, Marta.

In his early childhood, John’s father was a mining engineer, and the family moved around Eastern and Northern Nevada for his father’s work, finally settling in Winnemucca. John completed his early education and high school in Winnemucca and went on to study communication disorders at BYU. From Utah, he settled in Boise, Idaho and worked at Micron. It was summer of ‘93, in Boise, that he met his life’s companion, Guy. They have enjoyed over 30 years of traveling the world and visiting many of the states, learning about food, culture and the goodness in other people everywhere.

The pair was in Boise for 16 years and eventually came to Jerome. John worked at St. Luke’s Medical Center in transport until 2018 and then worked for Jerome County Records Clerk until retiring in 2023. 

John loved his family, cooking and the outdoors. He was an exceptional cook and lucky was the person that got a dinner invitation. The loss is sharply punctuated by the fact that this was his favorite time of year, and he adored the holidays. He enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings and decorating the house into magazine worthy displays. He said that Christmas was special and would reminisce about his childhood holidays, “the way it was, when I was a kid, the way it felt and the way it smelled. Playing the old songs, getting into the spirit.” He was always mindful of others and loved to make special gifts for people, he had an ability to zero in on what “lit them up”. He had the magical ability to fill his home with the sounds and smells of Christmas itself. He was giddy and totally at peace in the kitchen while making his favorite holiday treats to share while listening to classic Christmas tunes.

He loved the Idaho and Nevada countryside and talked about the “smell of pine or sagebrush after a rain” or “the song of a meadowlark.” He found the joy and significance in these things. He loved his family and the friends he had adopted as family. He was easy to laugh, fast to forgive and was a generous uncle and friend to numerous nieces and nephews.

He was humble, kind and funny. A light went out when he left us. We know, that wherever he is, he has turned on the party lights and is sharing his favorites 80s music.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Monday, November 11, 2024 at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S Lincoln Ave, Jerome. Graveside service will conclude at Jerome Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on John’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.