John is the son of Lewis Fry Donnelly Massey and Nancy (Cooper) Massey. He married Cynthia Frances Jarrell, January 15, 1879. They had 15 Children they are:
Ira Delmore Massey,
Elben Lee Massey,
George Ova Massey,
Lewis "Van" Fry Donnelly Massey,
Lois Viola Massey,
John Norval Massey,
Charles Millard Massey,
Arthur Massey,
Susie Massey,
Jessie Elena,
Sewell Massey,
Annie Merle Massey,
Everette Earl Massey,
Hazel Massey
Thelma Massey.
John owned Massey Hides and Furs, Vernal, Utah.


OBITUARY
Friends Laud John Massey At Funeral - Career Is Outlined. The body of John D. Massey, one of Dry Fork's leading citizens, was laid to rest last Sunday at noon in the Vernal Cemetery. Funeral services for Mr. Massey were held in the first Ward Chapel.Bishop Bodily of Maeser directed the services, the deceased having been a member of that ward. The building was beautifully decorated with flowers of all varieties and crowded with many sympathetic friends and relatives.The Davis quartet rendered selections and Ashley Bartlett sang a solo. The speakers who told of the many good deeds of Mr. Massey were Harmon Sowards, who had been closely associated with the deceased for many years; Wilbur Sowards and President Don B. Colton. The services were dismissed by Nelson Merkley.Mr. Massey was born in West Virginia, 1858, and came to Colorado sixty-two years ago to help open up this western country. Later he moved to Heber, where he was active in church affairs. Provo was his next home and then Vernal. While in Vernal and Dry Fork he served two years as road commissioner. The famous Massey grade near the summit of Daniel's Canyon was constructed under his supervision. For six years he was superintendent of the Mt. Dell Sunday School. During the latter days of his life, Mr. Massey was engaged in the hide and pelt business.It is said that Mr. Massey was strictly a family man and wherever he went his family accompanied him. He has been suggested many times as a model for families of this valley in that respect.He is survived by Mrs. John D. Massey, Ira D, Millard, Sewell; Jessie Wall, Jensen; George O., Lewis F., John N., Arthur, Viola, Everett, Merle, Hazel and Thelma. He has twenty-eight grandchildren living at his death.-Vernal Express, July 23, 1920transcribed by Rhonda
- Rhonda
Added: Jul. 22, 2008