Justin Hamblin Painter Obituary (1997 - 2017)

"If music be the food of love, play on." – William Shakespeare Justin Hamblin Painter was born October 17, 1997. He was a gift from heaven. He was named after his sweet uncle Justin who had so much light and love for others, a gift they both shared. Justin had a passion for music, people, and good food. He taught himself how to play a number of instruments and loved to sing, hang out, laugh… and eat all the cereal in the house. Justin enjoyed traveling, snowboarding, reading, writing, painting, teasing his mother and sisters, and cooking, but his true appetite was for learning. Justin asked countless questions, sought answers, and looked beyond those answers for the next series of questions. Justin always saw the good in everyone and was an amazing friend, talented musician, and bright light in the universe. His smile left an impression on everyone, and he blessed our lives with his presence. Justin taught and lived love. Justin was a minimalist at heart. His physical appearance and physical fitness were very important to him, and he lived off of matcha, green tea, smoothies, and peanut butter. He hiked Lone Peak several times. He loved being in nature and his season pass at Brighton was his unlimited escape into the mountains. He was a connoisseur of other cultures and all theologies. He absolutely loved all animals, especially his cat PJ, his Lizard Richard (who, for the record, got eaten by Zaza) and his dog Dax. Justin religiously watched The Office, Adventure Time, anime, and followed the hero's quest in Star Wars. He was a great competitor at video games, playing Super Mario Brothers, Super Smash Bros., and Call of Duty with friends and other competitors online. He also liked playing chess and checkers. Justin was wise beyond his age. He felt the weight of the universe on his shoulders, which was real and challenged his way of looking at everyone and everything. This weight added to the layers of his joy and anguish. He cared and lived his own Gethsemane for other people. He possessed the purest form of compassion and was humble to his core. Justin went to Draper and Willow Springs Elementary schools, where he enjoyed participating in the youth football program. At Crescent View Middle School, he was the MVP player for soccer from ages 7–12. Justin worked hard to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in 2014, and successfully hosted a blood drive, where 188 pints were collected. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An example of his leadership and compassion was the lasting impression he left on those homebound members he brought the sacrament to each week. He attended Corner Canyon High School and the Pioneer Performing Arts High School, where he took AP, honors, and concurrent enrollment classes along with his regular rigorous schedule, all while working part time at Quizno's and Schmidt's Bakery. He earned honors recognitions in music and math, as well as a Congressional Recognition for maintaining a 3.8 GPA. He was a Sterling Scholar. He graduated in 2016 with high honors and was Salutatorian. He was attending Utah Valley University with a full scholarship studying physical therapy at the time of his passing. Justin's discovery and passion of music was quite coincidental. After suffering a football injury at age 13, he borrowed his sister Kylie's guitar and started taking lessons, and the rest is history. He formed a band in high school which performed at Velour, Battle of the Bands, and several other venues. Playing was his outlet and his passion. He was truly happy when he was performing. Pure joy radiated from him while playing the guitar, harmonica, ukulele, piano, and while singing. He is survived by his mother Gina, stepfather Richard Hemma; sisters McKenzie (Weston) Hyde and Kylie (John) Twomey; his treasured grandparents Harold and DeAnn Larsen and their beloved children and grandchildren; his stepsisters Macie, Caitlan, and Bailie Hemma; and his stepbrother Josh Hemma. He is also survived by aunts Shantelle (Jerald) Young, Misty Jensen (Jimmy) Harper, and many more family and treasured friends. Justin passed away January 13, 2017. He was preceded in death by his uncle, Justin Bolt Jensen, and his best friend PJ (his cat). There is no wound heaven cannot heal and now we have two special angels watching over us. We would like to thank every friend who became family that helped raise and support Justin. We would also like to thank his roommates for their friendship, as well as his friends from Corner Canyon, Pioneer High School, and the "The Squad." No words can express our gratitude for the time, years, and unconditional love and support the Larsen family has given Justin. Their hands-on, Christ-like love molded him into the human we all know and love. The opportunity to form relationships as an uncle to all their beautiful grandchildren was a blessing to him. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 am at the River Ridge 1st Ward, 10128 South 1300 West, South Jordan, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah and on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 am at the church. Interment at Elysian Burial Gardens. A memorial concert for Justin will be held Wednesday night at the Adventure Church (55 East 400 North) in American Fork at 7:00 pm. All donations will be used to cover funeral expenses. Your memory is a treasure to us Bubs. We love you. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT