John Arthur Robertson

John Robertson

Monroe, Utah

John Arthur Robertson died Monday, February 24, 2020 in his home in Monroe of congestive heart failure, with his wife Deborah and daughter Lisa by his side. John was plagued with poor health for many years after badly botched surgery in a Gunnison, Utah hospital. His health continued to decline until his death. John was born on April 28, 1935 to John Foulger and Marion Gentry Robertson in Salt Lake City He was the first of two children.

He graduated with honors from high school. Prior to going on his mission to Finland, he enlisted in the service, but was classified 4-F because of kidney problems. While serving in Finland, he was called as Branch President. While there, he met his future wife, a Finnish woman whom he married after completing his mission. They had three children and later divorced.

He graduated with honors from BYU with a degree in accounting, computer science (which was in its infancy) and a minor in Russian. After graduating from BYU, he joined an accounting firm in SLC. He designed one of the first computerized accounting systems for the firm while he was working for them as an accountant. John started his own custom systems computer company, called JNK, in Salt Lake City. He was very successful with his business. He eventually built his company to over 300 employees and traveled all over the U.S. coast to coast and into Canada and Mexico. IBM partnered with John to design software for their computers. He wrote the first computerized library management system in the world. He was recognized by IBM as one of the top five computer software and system developers in the world. He sold that company and then started another one. He was the one that developed pop-up windows on our computer screens. (Thanks John!!!!) His next company was called Gateway Software. He continued to develop administrative software for K-12. He moved his company from Salt Lake City to Billings Montana. During this time of his computer business, he bought and owned three airplanes. He loved to fly his planes all over the U.S. He was an excellent pilot.

John married Deborah Schott in May 1991 in the Salt lake Temple. Deborah’s four daughters were also sealed to them. The sealing was performed by the prophet’s personal secretary, David A. Haycock. As a family, they decided to move to Utah and open a bookstore. John sold his corporation in Billings, loaded up the family and moved to Utah. Their bookstore became a family affair and was located where the Maurice’s store is now in Richfield Plaza. It was decided the store took up too much time away from the girls, so John and Deborah sold it.

John was a humble, honest man, quick to forgive the most grievous offenses against him. He had a strong testimony of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served twice as a bishop, a high councilman, master teacher and faithful home teacher. He was excited to have taken his genealogy back to Adam, helped by his relationship to the prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley. He was happiest when he was teaching the gospel and serving the Lord. There are no words for his loss, but death is not goodbye, but only a brief pause in all eternity until we are together again.

Private family services were held Saturday, February 29, 2020 in the Magleby Mortuary. Cremation services followed. Burial of cremated remains will take place at a later date. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com