John Muirhead Obituary

John (Tom) Muirhead 1930-2022.
On Thursday February 17, 2022, John (Tom) Muirhead, 91 years of age, surrounded by loved ones, peacefully passed away in the comfort of Tom and Corliss' home in Layton, Utah. John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pauline Goebel Muirhead.
His four children, Teresa Garfield (Ted), Susan Baxter (Kelly), Thomas Muirhead (Corliss) and Shirley Cline (Paul) as well as 15 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren who will miss his presence, tenacity, and passion for life. Dad loved the beauty of the world and working with plants, trees and soil. He felt connected to nature and despite his ailing health still had trees to plant and seeds to grow up until his death.
Our father was not born into favorable circumstances and as a toddler, he was placed into an orphanage at Shirley Oaks Schools in Croydon, England. He had a few fond memories and felt part of a community and bonded with friends who had similar backgrounds. However, this did not replace a true, loving and nurturing family. At age 15, he returned to live with his father. Strained relationships with the father he didn't know, soon caused him to move to Maidenhead where he had been evacuated to during the war. He fended for himself without a trade, taking any employment to pay for rent, food and expenses. It was a very difficult time in his life and he was severely unprepared for this change to independence. Shortly after his move to Maidenhead, a miracle occurred. He met our mother in a ballroom dance class on her 17th birthday. Four years later they were married in Slough on July 10, 1954. In 1963, now the parents of four children of their own, they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This changed everything! Our father's habits were swallowed up in the truths and teachings of the gospel. Dad became aware that he was so much more than where he had been planted. As children, we all benefitted from this huge shift. As the years progressed, our father noticed that many of the youth in our church, had little support from their families. As a result, he opened up our little house to all the youth who wanted to discuss gospel truths, sing, play music, eat and socialize. Frequently, we had fifteen or more youth visit our home each Monday.
The gospel changed the trajectory of all of our lives and, with dad's blessing, his children moved to America. When our mother was diagnosed with multiple
Sclerosis, both mum and dad were shattered by the news. Nonetheless, for twenty-five years, he looked after our wheel-chair and later bed-bound mum. As M.S. ravaged her once athletic body, dad continued to enrich her life. At 70 years old he willingly and painstakingly learned to play the piano. Mum said he was her "best pupil", as she heard him gallantly practicing. On Sunday he would play the bass since our mother's left hand was now paralyzed, and together they continued for many years to be the ward pianist.
Dad took mum on many adventures. They visited many parts of England, America, and other countries which brought joy, laughter and tears. In his last moments on Earth dad whispered, "I love this world." Now dad and mum are together having the greatest adventure of all! We love you mum and dad. You have lived noble, exemplary lives! God be with you till we meet again!
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton 6th Ward Chapel, 1402 North Fort Lane, Layton, Utah. Family and friends may gather Friday evening from 6-8 pm at Myers Mortuary, 250 North Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah. Interment will be at Slough Cemetery, England.
To send flowers to John's family, please visit our floral store.