The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

1931 - 2013

 John passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on January 18th in Phoenix, AZ.

 John was born in Baker City, Oregon on December 15, 1931. After graduating Gem State Academy, he joined the US Army at age 19. He proudly served in the Korean War as part of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team until the war's conclusion.

 After the war, John returned to Baker City, where he met and married Janice Fricke. John attended Eastern Oregon College, graduating in 1960.

 John served as a dedicated teacher and administrator in several districts throughout rural Idaho and Oregon, including Payette in the early to mid 1970s. The Payette Dome project was one of his most fulfilling accomplishments. He had a lifelong dedication to developing the minds of his students by providing quality education. He retired after spending 35 years as an educator.

 For about the last 21 years John and Gwen spent the winter in Phoenix and the rest on Puget Island where they enjoyed watching the deer, geese and Aegerter's Brown Swiss cows grazing. If John wasn't working in the yard and garden he was salmon and steelhead fishing.

 John is survived by his loving wife, Gwen (Phoenix), his sister Grace Seliger, three sons, Mike (Carol), Pat (Sue), and Nick (Cheryl), stepchildren Chris, Charla and Eddie Thompson, and several nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 A memorial service will be held in Payette at a later date.