John Clarence Kinghorn, 87, passed away August 9 2018. He was born in Pocatello in 1930, and in later years he liked to say that he spent his early life among the sagebrush and the Indians. He moved with his parents to a farm north of Nampa in 1942. The values of thrift, industry, intellectual curiosity and compassion for others that made him the devoted husband, beloved father and loyal friend that he became, were forged in his early years as a child of the Great Depression. Growing up on the farm, he learned to drive the tractor at the age of 8. At 9, he hired out to neighbors at haying time. At 14, John was acquainted with a neighbor who roped calves in rodeos. He got John started roping. By age 15, John was roping calves in rodeos. The first roping contest he won was at Weiser. He won his last roping contest over 90 other ropers. He graduated from Nampa High School in 1948 where he actively participated in FFA, including the national competition in Kansas City. He could often be seen driving his Nash, towing a hand-built horse trailer. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England Mission, spending most of two years in the state of Maine, where he acquired his love of seafood, especially lobster. He caught the eye of the love of his life, Myrtice, at a church dance, and later with his prowess as a calf roper, and she was smitten. He earned the favor of his future in-laws after they heard him speak in church. He attended Myrtice's Senior Prom after securing an engagement ring on her finger. As a new young father, he made the sacrifice to hang up his lasso to provide for his family. He worked tirelessly as a farmer, supplementing his income by working at the Nampa sugar factory. He ventured into many varied occupations, educating himself, talking to experts, and always learning. He was a farmer at heart, though, returning to the land across the road from his childhood home, burning down the old farmhouse in 1975 to build his own family a sturdy house that remains to this day. He most enjoyed raising calves and he developed his own successful feeding formula. After their children began lives of their own, John and Myrtice enjoyed traveling. Their home is peppered with souvenirs from trips to Israel, China, Russia, Panama, Britain, Europe and all 50 states. Back home, he provided his grandchildren with fond memories of learning to drive in the pick-up on the country roads, and they in turn helped him at the feed lots when they came to visit. He enjoyed reminiscing about his rodeo days and traveling to rodeos in the mountain west states. His curiosity spurred him to vigorously study the scriptures. He loved visiting the LDS Church History Library in Salt Lake City, and he enjoyed elaborating on the extensive insights and connections his studying brought him to. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mary Kinghorn. He leaves behind his loving wife of more than 63 years, Myrtice; his children: Cheryl (Bill) Densley, Darwin (Meg) Kinghorn, and Dwain (Karen) Kinghorn, as well as eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 13, at the LDS Chapel located at 18486 Middleton Rd in Nampa. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, August 12 at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd, Nampa and again at the church from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Graveside dedication following the services at Kohlerlawn Cemetery.
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