Obituary source St. John's United Church of Christ scrapbook
Text from the funeral service program at St. John's, Saturday, November 16, 2002.
John was born in Graceville, Minnesota, June 12, 1921. Until the age of twelve, he was raised about 30 miles from Graceville on a farm near Wheaton, Minnesota. The farm was on 400 acres and had a two story brick house with no running water or electricity.
The oldest of eight, he lived in Payette, Idaho until the age of 20. At that time, he joined the service for four years where he studied electronics, specializing in radar. While still in the service, he met Beatrice and they married February 3, 1946. They built their first home in Payette, Idaho where they lived for one year.
John and Beatrice then moved to Placerville, California where they resided for four years and built a house paycheck by paycheck with no running water or electrcity.
After landing a job at McClellan Air Force Base, they relocated to Sacramento, built three more houses, just the two of them. This time they had running water and electricity! They have lived in the same neighborhood for the past 51 years. John worked for 43 years at McClellan as a Ground & Airborne Radar Specialist and an Equipment Specialist. During his career, he was sent on many classified missions that took him overseas and to other places he never disclosed.
Even though John and Beatrice did not have kids of their own, John was known to many children of friends and family as Uncle John, who could tease with the best of them. When realizing that their friends were not willing to give up their children, they decided to adopt. At the age of 43, John became a father when they adopted Barbara and two years later, they adopted Tammy.
John retired from McClellan in August 30, 1988; however, he had not given up working completely. He wanted to keep busy and worked part-time at Burger King for another 7 years.
The next big event was John and Beatrice's 50th wedding anniversary where they received a cruise to Alaska. John was starting to take it slow but they both enjoyed this wonderful gift. This was John's last vacation.
John went in for heart surgery a year later, which resulted in many complications including a stroke. As a family, we made the decision to care for him at home. Beatrice, Tammy, son-in-law Kerry and Barbara cared for John for five years with the love and dignity that he deserved. At the age of 81, John passed away on November 9, 2002 with this Bride beside him as always. We will miss him!
I will miss you dearly Johnny. Thanks for 56 wonderful years. I would do it all over again as long as you were there by my side.
Love, Betty
Thanks Dad for all the love, laughter, dedication and the example of the golden rule that you lived by, but most of all Dad thanks for giving us a name and a loving home.
Love, Barbara and Tammy
