John Elwell was born in Scott City on March 3, 1936, the son of J.L. and Zilpha E. (Paschal) Elwell. Educated in public schools of Dodge City, he graduated from Dodge City Senior High School in 1954 and Dodge City Community College in 1956 with an Associate of Arts Degree. He received a BA degree in 1959 from the University of Wichita, now known as Wichita State University, with a chemistry major and minors in math and education.
John was employed as an analytical chemist by Frontier Chemical Division of Vulcan Materials in Wichita from 1959 to 1962. He then accepted employment with Thiokol Chemical Corporation of Brigham City, Utah and remained there from 1962 to 1965, when he accepted Civil Service employment with the AF.LC at Hill AFB. John accepted an early retirement from the Air Logistics Command in 1988. During his employment years, John developed three patents for the Air Force.
He married Mary Jo Fry in Montezuma on March 1, 1959. The have one son, Martin "Marty" Elwell, who resides in Gray County and one grandson, Cody Aubrey Edward Elwell, who lives in Dodge City. John and Mary Jo have bred American Quarter Horses since 1965. They belong to the American Quarter Horse Association, Utah Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association, and several of their affiliates in Utah and Idaho. John was past director of the Utah Quarter Horse Association and a pas President of the Intermountain Quarter Horse Association. John and Mary Jo were named to the Utah Quarter Horse Association "Hall of Fame" in 2003 for recognition of their loyal support.
While in Utah, John and Mary Jo belonged to the Tremonton Community Methodist Church, the Community United Methodist Church in Washington Terrace, and currently the Clearfield Community Church.
John was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Albert Pike Lodge No 303 AF & AM in Wichita in 1961. He dimited to Corinne Lodge No. 5 in 1965, serving as Worshipful Master in 1968, 1973, 1989, 1999, and 2005. He was given a life membership in 1994. John was elected and installed Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F & AM of Utah on February 1, 1994. He was awarded the 50-year service pin in 2011.
John was exalted a member of Logan Chapter #8, Royal Arch Masons in 1963. He served as Grand High Priest in 2001. John received the Anointed High Priest Degree and served as President of the Anointed High Priest of Utah. He completed 50 years of service to Royal Arch Masons in 2013.
He joined Ogden Council #3 Cryptic Masons in 1964, serving as Illustrious Master in 1975. John served as Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1997. He joined the Knights Templar of Utah in 1964, serving as Eminent Commander in 1979. John served as Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1995. He was elected a member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1980, serving as Prior of Utah Priory No. 47 in 1997.
John became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason of the Valley of Salt Lake, Orient of Utah in 1970. He was invested a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH) in 1993 and exalted to the rank of 33rd degree in 1999. John was a lifetime member of the Scottish Rite of Utah.
He joined the Royal Order of Scotland in 1971 in Billings, Montana and was a life member. John was also a life member of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest Tabernacle Petra LXI.
John was awarded the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 1993. Designated an active member as he was a member of Dodge City DeMolay Chapter in the 1950's. John joined El Kalah Shrine in 1966. He served as president of the Northern Utah Shrine Club in 1971 and was a Charter Member of the El Kalah Shrine Clowns. He was a past member of Utah Court #49 Royal Order of Jesters.
He was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #11, Corinne and Camp Floyd York Rite College Jurisdiction of Utah. He was installed as a member of Bonneville Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, serving as Sovereign in 1996. He also served as Intendant General for the Division of Utah from 2009 until 2014. He was accepted as a member of the National Sojourners Chapter #114 in Salt Lake City in 1994. John became a member of the Heroes of '76 in 1996.
A life-long interest in team sports motivated him to support/coach elementary age baseball and basketball teams that competed in the Roy City/Weber County recreation leagues. The Elwells' provided basketball uniforms that were used long after their involvement in the league. Since the rural area in which the Elwells' resided was incorporated in 1991, their residence is in West Haven. John served on the City Planning Commission from 1991 to1993. He was Chairman of the Commission for one and one-half terms.
John is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; son, Martin; grandson, Cody; sister, Sue (Mike) Reigel; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James and Glenn Elwell.
Masonic graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Montezuma on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 2:00 PM. There is no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Shriner's Hospital for Children-1275 E. Fairfax Rd-Salt Lake City, Utah 84103 or the Scottish Rite Foundation of Utah (RiteCare)-650 E. South Temple St.-Salt Lake City, Utah 84102. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.