John Robert “JR” Given, of Thatcher, passed away after a hard battle with cancer on Dec. 27, 2020, with his daughter, Casey, by his side. JR was born in Tiger, Arizona, on Feb. 10, 1947. He grew up in San Manuel, Arizona, participating in football, basketball, and baseball.
After graduating from San Manuel High School in 1965, he moved to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University and work. It was there he met his wife, Janice Waelbroeck. When Janice took a job teaching at Thatcher High School, they moved to the Gila Valley, where they lived these last 45 years. JR worked for Coors Distributing, owned the Montgomery Wards Catalog store, managed Warehouse Furniture, and worked until his retirement with the Arizona State Correctional System. JR loved sports, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.
He is predeceased by his parents, Edmond Vern and Annie Moser Given; his sister, Cordie; his wife, Janice, and his daughter, Missy.
He is survived by his daughter, Casey, and her husband, Nick Albert; his granddaughters, Maddie and Lucy, and his friends, family, and hunting partners.
Services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel and Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
