Beloved Jackson Hole Radio Personality Del Ray John Passes Away at 80

Remembering a Community Icon and Voice of Jackson Hole

Early Life and Radio Career

Del Ray John was born June 24th, 1945, in Kirkland, Washington, and raised in Firth, Idaho, by Elmer John and Norma Hess John. He graduated from Firth High School, attended Ricks College and BYU, and earned a bachelor’s in oceanography. His professional journey began in radio at KBLI in Blackfoot, eventually leading him to become a long-standing personality for Jackson Hole Radio. As the longtime morning air personality on KJAX Country Radio and KSGT AM, Del Ray was one of the best known voices in Jackson Hole, earning the moniker the Voice of Jackson Hole and becoming a beloved community member.

Family, Community Contributions, and Honors

On May 21st, 1988, Del Ray married Lynda Dawnel Waid in Idaho Falls, and they made their home in Victor, Idaho. A Vietnam veteran, he co-founded the Freedom Birds, an informal group of veterans across Eastern Idaho, which played a key role in developing and installing the Vietnam Memorial in Idaho Falls.

Del Ray enjoyed riding his motorcycle and had a gift for turning strangers into lifelong friends. In 2023, the Headwaters District of the Boy Scouts of America honored him as a Hero of the Year for his extensive community service, including work in community theater at the Pink Garter Playhouse, performing with the Jackson Shoot-out Gang, narrating the Community Band children’s concert, and contributing to Eagle Scout courts of honor—reflecting his own status as an Eagle Scout. This award recognized his integral role in the Jackson Hole fabric beyond broadcasting. Read more about the honor in KJAX Radio’s Del Ray John to be Honored as “Hero of the Year”.

Del Ray John
Del Ray John

He is survived by his wife, Lynda John of Victor, Idaho; daughter, Kaisha Daley of Poplarville, Mississippi; sons, Justin John and Jeremy John, both of Victor, Idaho; brother, LaMar John of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sister, Diana Bell of Donalds, South Carolina; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Services and Ways to Honor

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19th, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Primary Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.

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