Jim Garnet Abel

James Garnet Abel, 83, passed away on March 5, 2025. He was born in Tremonton, Utah on November 22, 1941, to James Garnet Abel and Verla Beth Holman. He spent his early years in Utah County before the family moved to the Elwood and Tremonton area.

Jim was a part of the first graduating class of Bear River Junior High. He graduated from Bear River High School where he participated in many activities and made lifelong friends. While in high school he worked for Doug Allred at the Beeline Gas Station in Elwood next to what is now JC’s Diner.

After high school he attended both Utah State and Weber State.

In 1961, Jim married Gloria Petersen. They welcomed two daughters into their family: Nannette and Suzanne. Jim always said he had the perfect girls. When asked if he ever wanted to have boys, he answered that his girls got him the perfect boys.

In 1986, Jim married Carolyn Barnhart. Carolyn had three children: Barney, Kelly and Diane. He always considered them and their families to be friends and family and has stayed in touch with them.

In 1990, Jim and Carolyn bought what is now known as JC’s Diner. Jim owned and operated this small country diner for over 32 years. It is here that Jim made lifelong friends with travelers, employees and patrons, many of which he considered adopted family.

In 2008, Jim married Karey and added her five children to the mix: Matt, K.C., Mitchall, Kyle and Samantha. They all became family and as their families have grown, so has Jim’s.

Throughout Jim’s life he has been actively involved in school activities, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, the Bear River Health Board, the Department of Travel and Tourism, church, civic, and community organizations.

Jim also worked at Thiokol for 34 years in the information technology area.

Jim was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012 and given 2-6 months life expectancy. He chose to work with the oncology department at the Huntsman Center and participate in an experimental drug trial. That drug has since been proven effective and is now being used to treat lung and other forms of cancer. He considered himself very blessed and was grateful for the extra time the treatment provided. He loved his oncology team from Huntsman Center.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents James and Verla; brothers Carlos and Alan; father-in-law Mark Michie and one great granddaughter Oakley.

Jim leaves behind his daughters Nan and Suz; his wife Karey; her children; mother-in-law Kaye Michie; brothers Ron and Bob Miller, Mike, Reese and Dan; sisters Kathy, Mary and Carol Dawn; brothers-in-law Mick and Marshall Michie and sister-in-law Kris Bahr. He has 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews who will all miss him.

Thanks to Dr John Markeson, Dr Wallace Akerley and Austin Call for their friendship and care.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Noon. Viewings will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 6-8 P.M. and prior to the service from 10-11:30 A.M. All services will be held at the Tremonton South Stake Center (1150 S Tremont St, Tremonton). Interment will take place in the Riverview Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and can be found below.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the missionary fund through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.