John David Ramsdell

John David Ramsdell, 41, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away peacefully at home Tuesday May 13, 2014 after a two year battle with brain cancer. John was born September 18, 1972 to David and Marilyn Ramsdell in Elko, Nevada. He was the oldest son and second child of six. John was an outgoing child and made friends everywhere he went with his infectious smile, positive attitude and joking mannerisms. It was impossible to be in a bad mood around John, as he would work hard to get you smiling. John was active in sports and always maintained good grades. He was student body President his senior year of high school. Upon graduating from Battle Mountain High school in 1991, John briefly attended Sonoma State University in California, followed by a few semesters at University of Nevada-Reno. He worked as a firefighter for the Bureau of Land management during the fire season, returning home to Battle Mountain, Nevada to live. It was then that he decided to work in the gold mines for a period of time. It was in 1996 when John met his lifelong love, Heather Beard. They were engaged to be married and John was offered a job as a Twin Falls city firefighter. He moved to Twin Falls, Idaho and was married in June of 2000. John and Heather spent the first two and a half years of their marriage living mostly apart while Heather finished grad school in Pocatello, Idaho. After John had been at the city fire department for seven years he had a strong desire to return to school to finish his degree. He began at the College of Southern Idaho where he received his Associates degree, then transferred to Idaho State University to begin work toward his Bachelors degree. He made the Dean's list for outstanding grades on more than one occasion. In the fall of 2007, John and Heather were blessed with twin boys, Nicholas and Nathan. John was an amazing father. He continued to further his education while also beginning work at United Parcel Service. As hectic as his life became with school, work and kids, he never complained. He always made time for family, friends and fun. In the spring of 2011, John and Heather had a baby girl, Hannah. He adored his three children. He was a devoted father, husband, son, brother and friend. He continued attending Idaho State University in pursuit of a degree in Geomatics. It was in February 2012 when John's battle with cancer began. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, John still returned to school to attempt to finish his degree. He was two semesters shy of his Bachelor's degree at the time of his death. His journey through illness was followed by over 20,000 visits to his CaringBridge website (www.caringbridge.org/visit/4johnramsdell) and over 1,000 people shared his video/story on youcaring.com (Ramsdell family). He was a friend to everyone; kind, compassionate, funny and smart. He truly had the ability to light up a room with his personality and smile. Many of his friends, even at the time of his death, were individuals who knew John his entire life. Attending kindergarten together and then graduating high school together 12 years later. He was a wonderful and true friend to the end. John is survived by his wife Heather and their three children, Nicholas (6), Nathan (6) and Hannah (3). He is also survived by his parents, David and Marilyn Ramsdell, his sister Pilar Herrera and his brothers Ryan, Paul, Mike and Joe Ramsdell. John is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is survived by his in-laws, Dan and Joy Beard of Twin Falls, Idaho and his brothers-in-law, Damon, Jordan and Aaron Beard and sister-in-law, Jayne Bullock. John was preceded in death by his grandparents Vernon and Georgia Parker and Oliver and Pela Ramsdell. There will be a rosary with visitation following on Friday May 16, 2014 at 7 pm at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home located at 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls followed by a funeral mass on Saturday May 17, 2014 at 10 am at St. Edwards Catholic Church located at 161 6th Ave East in Twin Falls. Following Saturday's mass is the graveside service and a light lunch will be served at the Historic Ballroom, 205 Shoshone St, downtown Twin Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to John's wife and family at any branch of DL Evans or Wells Fargo bank, or online at youcaring.com, enter search words "Ramsdell Family." Those who wish may share memories and condolences on John's memorial page at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.