As I reflected and reminisced over this past weekend, I realized that it was just not me who lost a community hero and best friend. Everyone in Craig and Moffat County lost a community hero, a community icon and a best friend, with the passing of Tony St. John.

My wife Kerry and I were privileged to spend time with Tony and his family in the hospital in Salt Lake before his passing. We offered the family a quick respite at his bedside, and during that time we were able to only communicate with Tony through touch and sight because of impeding medical equipment.

Tony was known to us for almost 40 years for being able to show his love for our community through not only his words, but his actions as well.

Tony served us all in so many capacities, including being a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Moffat County School District, part of Craig City Council, served as a Second Ward church councilor with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most recently was active with the Ballon Festival and the City of Craig Economic Development Committee.

Lying there in the hospital bed, he could only communicate with us through his eyes. His eyes spoke of his faith, the love of his family, his friends and our community. 

When his family returned to his bedside, I looked into Tony’s eyes one last time to say goodbye. My inspiration at that time was to help share his legacy with you, and that he would want all of us to step up our commitments in helping our community thrive and prosper.

Having just watched the classic movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” this last Sunday, it struck me, what a driving force Tony St John and his wife Maggie have been for this community for the past 50 years. It’s hard to imagine what our community would be like if it wasn’t for Tony’s love of life, love for the Lord, his love of his family and his love for our community.

The theme of the movie is premised on the storyline of what would Bedford Falls be like if George Bailey was never born. An angel was able to show what life in his small town would be like if George Bailey hadn’t been there. The town turned into Pottersville, which was a town that existed with little hope for a better future.

At the end of the movie, we find out George Bailey was the richest person in Bedford Falls. It illustrates that every life matters, and that everyone can make a difference in this world. If Tony’s life were made into a movie, we would come to find out Tony and his amazing and supportive wife Maggie, are the richest people in Craig and Moffat County.

Let’s all keep Tony’s legacy of community service alive and commit to making Craig and Moffat County the best they can be.