Gary William John |
| Posted 2019-09-03 by Pat R |
| Daily Courier (Prescott, Arizona) Sunday, September 1, 2019, p. 6A Gary William John, age 76, of Prescott, Arizona, passed away on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, due to complications from Esophageal Cancer. Gary was born May 5, 1943, in Safford, Arizona, a third-generation native to William G. and Belva E. (Golding) John, the second of two children. He was so proud of his family roots. His grandfather Golding walked with the Arkansas Travelers to settle in the Safford Valley in the 1800's. Gary would always tell you that his grandmother was the 1st white child born east of the Gila River. Gary's parents were cattle and cotton farmers and pecan growers in Safford their entire lives. It was there where Gary worked in his younger years and through college. Gary attended grade school, middle school, and high school in Safford, graduating from Safford High School class of 1961. He went to Eastern Arizona J.C. for two years in Thatcher, and then decided to become a "city boy" and attended ASU in their Construction Engineering program. He would find himself always going back to Safford helping his parents on the farm. In 1966, Gary joined the Arizona Carpenters Union and joined an apprentice program with four years of classes to become a Journeyman Carpenter. He worked in that field at various jobs in the Phoenix area. He also served in the Arizona Air National Guard. In August 1975, Gary found his dream job working for Kitchell Contractors. He worked his way up the ladder to become a Sr. Project Superintendent. Gary was definitely a "Kitchell Man!" He was so proud of what they stood for--Honesty and Integrity. He had such a strong work ethic! He always gave 110 percent to whatever project he worked. While at Kitchell, he joined their Healthcare division to build and remodel hospitals in Arizona, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and California. His most loved projects were Mayo Clinic, Sunrise Hospital, St. Rose Dominican, Thompson Peak Hospital, and the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Parker, Colorado. He was also proud of his Fashion Square remodel projects, in which he constructed the bridge across Goldwater Road to join the two malls together. He also built the Peccole Business Center in Las Vegas and many more. In 2004, after retiring to the Phoenix area, Gary took a job to build Yavapai Regional Hospital East Campus. It was there that he and his wife Shona would eventually retire. But retirement didn't come easy for Gary, so he decided to take on one more project! In August of 2008, they packed up their clothes and their beloved dog Daisy and headed to the central coast of California, where he remodeled Marion Hospital in Santa Maria. On Dec. 31, 2009, Gary finally decided it was time to retire from Kitchell, but he found himself consulting back with Kitchell for another six months! Gary was a man who loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, golfer, fisherman, skier and a serious mountain bike rider. He ventured to Africa five times and New Zealand two times with his hunting buddies in search of his trophy animals. They were his prized possessions! You would always find him on the trails of Prescott with all of his mountain biking buddies and of course there was always time for golf and fishing. Gary and Shona enjoyed retirement traveling the countryside in their RV. Their biggest trip was in June 2011 when along with friends, Jerry and Delores Kunz, they took off for three months and drove to Alaska. Gary was amazed at the 24 hours of sunlight and being able to fish 24/7. He'd find himself out fishing until 1 a.m., and coming back to clean them! There was never a dull moment! Gary was a very loving husband and he and his devoted wife Shona spent 27+ years together. "I will always love you, Gary--forever and a day!" He is pre-deceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Shona; his two sons, Jason of Tempe and Casey of Chandler; his three grandchildren, Logan, Estella and Abram John; his sister, Joan Berryman (Jack); niece Brenda Whinery (John); John Moody (Debbie); and his great-nieces and nephews, Nicole, Kate, Jack and Will, all of Arizona; his mother-in-law, Bessi Moore of California; and his many cousins and many dear friends. We love you and miss you and you'll be forever in our hearts. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1101 Sandretto Dr., Prescott, Arizona. Lunch will be served immediately following service. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors |
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