John Andrew Sapwell, Sr. |
| Posted 2009-07-16 by Sharla |
| Originally posted to the web in Obituaries, on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 1:01 PM CDT. The Wickenburg Sun John Andrew Sapwell, Sr. John Andrew Sapwell, Sr. was born to Andrew and Bernice Sapwell on March 28, 1935 in Blythe, Calif., and lived there until his early teens. He then moved to Wickenburg, Ariz., rejoining his mother and siblings and attended Wickenburg High School. After high school, John married Sharon Baker and went to work in the manganese mines by Box Canyon. It wasn't long until Uncle Sam drafted John into the U.S. Army, where he served two years and was honorably discharged. After discharge, he moved to Sunnyvale, Calif., where he worked at a store called CMA and later ventured into swimming pool excavation and construction. About 1969, still in California, John found his career path in machining, working his way up to manager and lead inspector. John retired in 1990 as a machinist and in 1992 he and his wife Sharon moved back to Congress, Ariz. John had many hobbies and interests. He loved the time spent with his wife Sharon and their children. He loved hunting with his brothers, reloading, fishing, woodworking, prospecting for gold, making homemade tamales at Christmas with his sister and just taking rides "out in the hills." Although John had not been well for quite a while, he became critically ill very suddenly and put up a valiant fight during his month-long stay in ICU at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. John, a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2005 surrounded by his loving wife and family. John was preceded in death by his father Andrew "Andy" Sapwell, mother Bernice (Sapwell) Villa, stepfather Raymond "Ray" Villa, sister Peggy (Sapwell) Cramer and stepdaughter Claudia Sharp. He is survived by his wife Sharon Sapwell of Congress, Ariz., four children: daughter Cheryl Ann Vernon of Grants Pass, Ore.; daughter Elizabeth Boer of Modesto, Calif.; son John Sapwell Jr. of Oakdale, Calif.; and stepdaughter Kris Kinsey of Congress, Ariz.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Gary "Squeak" Sapwell and Arnie Sapwell, and sister Linda Villa, all of Wickenburg, Ariz. A memorial service celebrating John's life was held on June 7 at the Community Alliance Church in Wickenburg, with a touching eulogy delivered by Pastor Dave Hunter. No one can take John's place in our hearts, and we will miss him terribly, but we take comfort in knowing that John is now breathing easy, free to fish and to hunt, where there are no limits on catches or on quail. And when he comes to the end of his day, he will find solace in Christ and rest in the outstretched arms of his mother, who has waited patiently for her son to come home. Condolences may be sent to Sharon Sapwell, P.O. Box 397, Congress, AZ. See Also: Find A Grave |
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