Obituary source St. John's United Church of Christ scrapbook
Newspaper and date published not known
John Omer Musgrove, 53, died March 16, 2000, in a Boise care center following a long and courageous battle with diabetes. Funeral services were 10 a.m. March 20 at the First Baptist Church, 15 N. 10th, Payette. Interment followed in Rosedale Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, Payette.
He was born July 30, 1946, at Ontario, to Byron and Iris Musgrove. He grew up in Payette attending elementary, junior high and high school in his favorite home town. After graduating from Payette High School in 1964, he attended college at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., and Boise State College in Boise.
As a young boy, Johnny grew up around the retail business world, as his parents owned Byron's Variety on Payette's Main Street. He loved everything about the store--from marking merchandise, to taking naps on the cot upstairs, to working as a clerk. Later he used these skills to work at Toggery Bill's and Quisenberry's in Ontario, to manage his own Christian book store, aptly named "John's 3:16" in Payette, and then to Portland, Ore., where he earned several top salesman awards working for Meier-Frank at Lloyd's Center.
Because of poor health, he moved to Boise in the spring of 1999 to be close to his family.
One of John's greatest joys was his music. Not only did he play and sing for his own enjoyment, he loved to share his music with others. He performed all types of music - barbershop quartet songs, old time favorites, songs from musicals and religious songs. One of his most memorable moments this past year was when he was able to sing "How Great Thou Art", at his mother's funeral service. As a senior in high school he was chosen to be part of the All-American Chorus and performed in New York City. He also sang with the Meistersingers at BSC. He worked with the Payette Baptist Church choirs when he was a member and directed the Community Cantata in Payette. John founded a popular group named the Songfellows, which performed throughout the Treasure Valley.
He is survived by a sister and brother- in-law, Crystal and Hylon Plumb of Garden Valley; a special niece and her husband, Tamara and Les Hogg of Boise; a great-niece, Kelly Hogg, and a great-nephew, Shain Panzeri, both of Boise; one aunt and uncle, Mary and Everett Monteer of Weiser; very dear cousins that shared special childhood memories, Carol Reed, Dale Campbell, Mary Anne Wikoff, Ed Parsons, all of Payette, Barbara Davies of Weiser, Patty Cotheran of Davis, Calif., and Dorothy Noyes of Littleton, Colo. One of his favorite companions that always bought a sparkle to his eyes, his little dog, Cody.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobbie, in 1942; his father, Byron, in 1968; his mother Iris, in 1999; and all of this grandparents.
The family would like to thank the many special friends that dropped by for short visits when he returned to Boise. He also developed friendships with the staff at Life Care of Boise, who gave him loving care the past 11 months.
The family suggests contributions be made to the Payette County Museum or the Payette Rose Garden.
