John passed away August 28, 2012 at his home in Edmonds. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, four children, LaRene, Michelle, Mark and Whalen, one sister, Kathy Chase, and 7 grand children. John was preceded in death by his grandson, Blake.

Born in Deer Lodge, MT, he grew up the son of a Methodist minister from Kansas and a school teacher from Missouri.  While growing up, the family moved around a number of small towns in Montana, Washington and Oregon. An adventurous young man, John claimed that from their home in Prosser, he and a buddy snuck off to Portland for a few days – at age 12 – and his parents never knew he was gone!

John hired on at Boeing at age 18, starting off in the machine shop, beginning a 45-year career with the aerospace company.  He gained an early respect for the shop workers and quickly advanced through the ranks into project and contract management.  He attended both the University of Puget Sound and Seattle University.  At his retirement party, an executive mused that John’s was the most unlikely extraordinary career.

John met Patricia Whalen through a friend at Boeing.  They married in 1951 and raised four children at a home on Seattle’s Ravenna Boulevard. They enjoyed a summer weekend place on the Stillaguamish River near Arlington. Last summer they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a dinner at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri.  

John...