John Burton Halleck

John Burton Halleck, 73, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on September 17, 2026. Born on November 12, 1952, in Karlsruhe, Germany, to William Thomas Boring and Maria L. Eschlbeck, John lived a life defined by curiosity, adventure, generosity, and an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Army and served for 4 years in Italy as a courier for NATO during the Vietnam War.

John was a man of many talents and an endless desire to learn. He earned a bachelor’s degree and built a career as a Senior Systems Analyst with University Information Technology (UIT) at the University of Utah, where he programmed for the artificial eye and ear projects and for other departments at U of U. His passion for education extended far beyond his career. A lifelong student of mathematics, logic, philosophy, linguistics, programming, and surveying; John occasionally filled in for university professors and contributed to technical books and magazines on a variety of subjects.

John's curiosity was matched only by his love of adventure. An avid outdoorsman, he knew nearly every trail, caves, and waterfalls in most of Utah and the area of Hamilton, Montana. He was a member of the National Cave Rescue Commission, where he served as a cave rescue instructor and cave surveyor. He frequently enjoyed taking University of Utah geology department employees and students to explore the lava fields of Millard County.

Whether hiking, exploring caves, or riding his bicycle, John was always eager for his next adventure. He biked to and from work for more than 25 years and made an alone bike ride cross-country along the Mormon Trail in reverse. Hamilton, Montana, held a special place in his heart and was his favorite place to visit.

John's spiritual journey was as thoughtful and personal as his other pursuits. After studying with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he converted from atheism and became a member of the Church. His newfound faith inspired his remarkable bicycle journey along the Mormon Trail.

John married Jerilyn Steele on June 6, 1998; they shared a unique, loving, relationship and they continued enjoying their growing family. Above all else, John was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who took a genuine interest in the lives of those he loved. He had a unique connection with each of his grandchildren, always taking the time to discover their interests and find something special they could share together. Jerilyn and John met later in life and they each had their own homes. They lived in Jerilyn’s home and John proceeded to prepare his home near the University of Utah for his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren to live, free of rent, while they pursued their college educations, mostly at the University of Utah.

John's generosity extended well beyond his family. His kindness was never limited by a person's background, beliefs, or circumstances. He welcomed everyone with an open mind and a genuine desire to understand them. He was known for helping those experiencing homelessness or being an outsider. John had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and valued. During his military service in Italy, he made a point of learning greetings in the languages of the people he encountered. He continued this practice throughout his life, even learning greetings in Navajo. He believed in finding common ground with others and often built lasting connections across the world through shared interests.

And, of course, those who knew John will remember his unmistakable sense of humor. Whenever someone asked how he was doing, his familiar response was, "Fat and ugly." In his humor, he would use a play with words. It was just one of the many little things that made John uniquely himself.

John is survived by his wife, Jerilyn Steele; his two fostered and adopted children, son David Cowart (Angie) and daughter Cara Bray; his stepdaughters, Kristie Steele (Jefferson) and Konnie Roberts Lutz (Brian); and his stepsons, Donovan Steele (Tiffany) and Raigan Steele (Carrie). He also leaves behind 25 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as his mother, Maria; brother, Paul Halleck; his sisters, Lena Ward and Jennifer Schneidervin; and two nieces.

John will be remembered not only for the remarkable things he accomplished, the places he explored, and the knowledge he shared, but for the way he made people feel. He had a natural ability to recognize what mattered to others, take an interest in their lives, and find thoughtful ways to connect with them.

His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the adventures he shared, and the love and generosity he so freely gave.

Celebration of Life
Date & Time Saturday, October 17, 2026

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. There will be no viewing.

Location 4333 S. 6400 W., West Valley City, UT 84128

Live streaming link: https://youtube.com/live/0UouVWl7C2U

A celebration of John's life will be held in his honor. Family and friends are invited to attend and share their favorite memories, stories, and experiences with John as we remember the remarkable life he lived and the lasting impact he had on those around him.