“Pompa Claus”

Husband, Father, Pompa to his “kidlets” & our very OWN SANTA!

Born Anthony Jon Stewart to Helena Stewart on 02/18/1941 in Butte, Montana and an only child. Pompa had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Pacific Northwest. Spending his early years playing on the shores of Lake Ki, Washington. Learning how to swim from the family dog as his mother didn’t know how & would just wring her hands with worry from the dock. He had lots of family, in the way of cousins also in the PNW, that he grew up with & got to see as often as he could. But day to day, being an only child, he kept himself well entertained with his best friend, a bullfrog named Moki. Those that really knew Pompa know that this is the age he stopped growing & has been putting forth his entire life. Looking at it through the eyes & heart of a child. Always nourishing the child within with magic & chocolate. Something he instilled in us kids. His mother was a school teacher & that took them down to coastal Seaside, Oregon where, well if you’ve ever been, you know. If you haven’t, you should. We all consider Seaside our 2nd home as often as we’ve visited through the years. Gorgeous road trips through the Columbia River Gorge with a stop at Multnomah Falls always kept us from falling asleep on them.

He played baseball in High School during the only time they went to the state playoffs! Graduated Seaside High Class of 1959-Go Gulls! Oregon State University is where he started college & rowed on the crew team & LOVED it! He was proud of his pioneer heritage as a great great grandson of Brigham Young. He served an LDS mission to the “Central States” & attended Brigham Young University upon returning home, where he pledged Delta Phi Kappa. It was at BYU where he met his future bride Judith “Ann” Barton on a blind date, and it was love at first sight. She was just getting ready to go on a mission with her family to Bristol England & then on a world tour with the BYU “Curtain Time USA”. He waited almost a year for her & they were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on April 5, 1966.

During this first year of marriage, they welcomed the oldest of their 5 children. Juli Ann would be born as they juggled parenthood with college classes. The twins Jon Jr & Jared came along three years later. Jon & Ann relocated to Long Beach, California where Pompa would first begin his career in banking.) He “played banker” in California with CNB-California National Bank & while he hoped that the pacific coast lifestyle would endear to Ann as much as it did him, she came from a large family & was homesick. Janiese was welcomed while still in California & they relocated back to Salt Lake shortly thereafter. Jennifer was the last to join, the only redhead of the family & so Pompa lovingly nicknamed “the caboose”.

There we were, our family complete…the 7 J’s (Jon, Judith, Juli, Jon Jr, Jared, Janiese, Jennifer).

Jon & Ann bought their house in Holladay in 1977, close to Ann’s family & LOADS of cousins for the kids to grow up with & make fun memories. They did just that. While Ann was the ideal wife & homemaker, PTA mom, Primary leader, & mom, the kids were having wonderful childhoods that were safe, secure & family centered. All the while Jon was working with Valley Bank & Trust Co. opening new branches all around Salt Lake “playing banker” as a Vice President and Branch Manager. Bank-One eventually merged with Valley Bank & Jon continued with them until his retirement.

Jon’s most favorite character to play is POMPA! When he was a Dad, he had to be the one in charge & he didn’t really understand when us kids would argue with each other, remember he was an only child. So family conflict was unnatural to him & he was strict. But once he was a Pompa? He could let his inner child fly free. No more suit wearing stuffy banker. He wanted to be a train conductor! So in his retirement he took a job at the Hogle Zoo as the train conductor & it was a “hoot & a half”! He loved when the grand kidlets would come & spend the day at the zoo & he could show them all around, introduce them to his favorite animals & even peek behind the scenes! The days would always end with unlimited train & carousel rides & of course, ice cream cones. During the holiday season, his beard would start getting much longer & he magically turned into Santa & played him at the zoo & really ANY gathering that needed a Santa. He absolutely LOVED playing him each year for ALL the kids.

What his kidlets knew, but of course couldn’t understand until much later, is that their Pompa made so many fun & magical memories for all of us all the while battling prostate cancer. The last 10 years being Stage 4. Family Disney vacations & amazing Caribbean cruises, campouts & BBQs, he enjoyed them ALL with the childhood innocence he carried through his life.

He lived his 84 years to the fullest & truly cherished time spent with loved ones! Was each grand kidlets biggest cheer leader & never missed a birthday or band concert or school event! Was SO proud to be able to attend each one’s graduation. They will miss their Pompa dearly but are so grateful for the bonds they forged and close relationship they each shared with him.

He played many parts in life & EACH one he took on with commitment & love. A Son, Father, Husband, Priesthood Holder, Pompa… but our favorite is DAD!

He is survived by his beloved & eternal wife of almost 60 years “Annie” Judith Ann Barton Sabourin, & his 2 youngest daughters Janiese Catherine “Partner-in-Crime” Sabourin Frank (Larry) and their children, Damien, Brecken & Mason. Jennifer Helene “Caboose” Sabourin Duran (Leo) and their children, Victoria (Alex) & Brandon. As well as Juliann's children Jordan (Marcella), Alexandra & Danny “Sebastian” as well as Jon Jr's child Michael.

Also survived by our Angel/Chosen Family-James & Julie Dever Family & Bryce Knapton.

Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, & In-Laws will miss him.

He is preceded in death by his 3 oldest children;

Juli Ann (2023) Jared (2016) Jon Jr. (1990).

We have such comfort knowing he’s with them once again.

Also preceding him in death are his mother,

Helena Stewart Sabourin (George) and his Parents-in-Love, Dr Ray & Helen Grant Barton Jr.

Please see Wasatch Lawn for complete Obit & for service date & times

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/millcreek-ut/jon-sabourin-12615782