SOUTH JORDAN — He was there when Michael Jordan scored his last basket as a Chicago Bull in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the Delta Center in 1998. He saw Karl Malone play his last game as a member of the Utah Jazz and when he returned as an LA Laker in 2003. And, he witnessed John Stockton’s jersey retirement ceremony in 2004.

Jon Absey was at the Delta Center for those important basketball events, and more. For 24 years, he was there for everything — from the comfort of his Jazz Bear mascot get-up. But those aren’t the moments that top his list.

Absey’s focus in the Delta Center was on the fans, moving from section to section, trying to get everyone to smile. As Jazz Bear, away from the Delta Center, he spent his time with younger fans, especially those with a terminal illness, but with

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