John Sterling Hiatt

February 14, 1957 ~ August 18, 2012 John Sterling Hiatt, 55, died of heart failure on August 18 while out dirt-bike riding with his son, Billy.  He was born on February 14, 1957 to Ara Jean Avery and Wilbur Delma Hiatt, in Mount Airy, NC (Mayberry).  He was the fifth of twelve children, and has 6 brothers and 5 sisters, being preceded in death by his oldest sister, and an infant brother.  John’s school years were spent in the Surry County schools in NC, and he then attended BYU where he majored in Accounting.  He was a CPA, and was employed as CFO of CareerStep in Provo, Utah at the time of his death.  John served an LDS mission to the California, Arcadia mission from 1976-78.  He met his wife, Cynthia Newbold, while attending BYU and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 23, 1980.  They are the parents of five children:  Robert, (Sarah), Kathryn Bitter, (Brice), Sarah McBride, (Nathaniel), William, (Billy…soon to be married to Krista Roy), and Melody.  John and Cynthia have 10 grandchildren.   John was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who absolutely loved serving the Lord.  He was currently serving in a bishopric of a young single adult ward in Provo.  This is the third bishopric he has served in. He was privileged to serve as the first bishop of a newly created Battlecreek 9th ward in Pleasant Grove in 1996, and has served in many varied leadership positions over the years.  He particularly loved serving with the young men, and enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for Scouting, hiking, biking, and high adventure.  His trips to Zion’s National Park and Moab were legendary, and sponsoring 15 Eagle Scouts in one Court of Honor was the proud culmination of his time serving in the Young Men’s organization. Right up there with his love for the Savior was John’s love for his family.  He was a wonderful father, but was born to be a grandfather.  After suffering a major heart attack two years ago, he truly regretted his inability to rough-house as much with the older grandkids, but took great delight in holding the new babies.  He loved being outdoors working and hiking with his boys, and loved pampering his girls—who wish they’d learned  sooner to ask Dad, not Mom, if they wanted something.  John lived a life of service, and his smile and firm handshake communicated the great love he had for those he served.  He was truly a man of God.  His deep faith and firm testimony of the gospel was evident daily in his love for his wife, his family, and his fellowmen. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Pleasant Grove East Stake Center, 825 South Loader Dr, with a viewing one hour prior to the services.  Family and friends may also attend a viewing Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. in the Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.