John Hurst Kartchner passed away peacefully in Tucson, AZ on June 8, after a brief battle with cancer.
Born in Cortez, Colorado June 4, 1927 to Silas Decatur Kartchner and Elizabeth Hurst Kartchner, John "Johnny" "Jack" spent his formative years in Blanding, Utah, which filled him with stories and adventures that he reveled in for his entire life.
In 1940 the family moved to Salt Lake City where he graduated early from South High School then joined the Army. He prepared for World War II infantry service, but when the war ended he was sent to Panama where he was able to pursue his love of music, particularly Big Band Jazz, as a trombone player in the Army band.
On November 17, 1951 John married Amelia "Katie" Katis. He later joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he served over 30 years on the Wasatch, Boise, Bridger, Sawtooth, and Salmon National Forests. He retired in 1983 as a Senior Officer for the Boise (now National) Interagency Fire Center.
An authority on the Big Band Era, John's knowledge and insightful story-telling made him a natural and long time co-host on Boise's "The Music of Our Lives" weekly radio program.
John spent 15 years after retirement as a seasonal resident of Tucson, AZ. In 1999, he and Katie moved to Green Valley where he continued to pursue his interest in jazz, golf, and desert life until the onset of his sudden illness.
Katie survives him along with children and spouses Steven (Lisa), Chris (Gabriele) both of New York City, Laura Lange (Bruce) of Scottsdale, AZ, David (Ginger) of Portland, OR,; grandchildren, Brandon, Brittney, Alexandra, Taylor, Dylan and Mia; brother, Hal (Nita); sister, Betty Bengtzen (Bob); and brothers and sisters-in-law, Gus (Jean), Chris, Tina and Mary Katis.
John was proud of his Pioneer heritage, his military Service, his Forest Service career, and his family. He cherished his many friends and will be remembered for his loyalty to each of them. He loved nature, history, a good meal and of course the Big Bands. We will miss his unique wit, colorful storytelling, and strong opinions. He will continue to bring laughter to our lives.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 14, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Services will be held at the same location on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11 a.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in John's memory to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743, where he spent cherished time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on June 12, 2009
Born in Cortez, Colorado June 4, 1927 to Silas Decatur Kartchner and Elizabeth Hurst Kartchner, John "Johnny" "Jack" spent his formative years in Blanding, Utah, which filled him with stories and adventures that he reveled in for his entire life.
In 1940 the family moved to Salt Lake City where he graduated early from South High School then joined the Army. He prepared for World War II infantry service, but when the war ended he was sent to Panama where he was able to pursue his love of music, particularly Big Band Jazz, as a trombone player in the Army band.
On November 17, 1951 John married Amelia "Katie" Katis. He later joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he served over 30 years on the Wasatch, Boise, Bridger, Sawtooth, and Salmon National Forests. He retired in 1983 as a Senior Officer for the Boise (now National) Interagency Fire Center.
An authority on the Big Band Era, John's knowledge and insightful story-telling made him a natural and long time co-host on Boise's "The Music of Our Lives" weekly radio program.
John spent 15 years after retirement as a seasonal resident of Tucson, AZ. In 1999, he and Katie moved to Green Valley where he continued to pursue his interest in jazz, golf, and desert life until the onset of his sudden illness.
Katie survives him along with children and spouses Steven (Lisa), Chris (Gabriele) both of New York City, Laura Lange (Bruce) of Scottsdale, AZ, David (Ginger) of Portland, OR,; grandchildren, Brandon, Brittney, Alexandra, Taylor, Dylan and Mia; brother, Hal (Nita); sister, Betty Bengtzen (Bob); and brothers and sisters-in-law, Gus (Jean), Chris, Tina and Mary Katis.
John was proud of his Pioneer heritage, his military Service, his Forest Service career, and his family. He cherished his many friends and will be remembered for his loyalty to each of them. He loved nature, history, a good meal and of course the Big Bands. We will miss his unique wit, colorful storytelling, and strong opinions. He will continue to bring laughter to our lives.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 14, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Services will be held at the same location on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11 a.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in John's memory to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743, where he spent cherished time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on June 12, 2009
John Hurst Kartchner passed away peacefully in Tucson, AZ on June 8, after a brief battle with cancer.
Born in Cortez, Colorado June 4, 1927 to Silas Decatur Kartchner and Elizabeth Hurst Kartchner, John "Johnny" "Jack" spent his formative years in Blanding, Utah, which filled him with stories and adventures that he reveled in for his entire life.
In 1940 the family moved to Salt Lake City where he graduated early from South High School then joined the Army. He prepared for World War II infantry service, but when the war ended he was sent to Panama where he was able to pursue his love of music, particularly Big Band Jazz, as a trombone player in the Army band.
On November 17, 1951 John married Amelia "Katie" Katis. He later joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he served over 30 years on the Wasatch, Boise, Bridger, Sawtooth, and Salmon National Forests. He retired in 1983 as a Senior Officer for the Boise (now National) Interagency Fire Center.
An authority on the Big Band Era, John's knowledge and insightful story-telling made him a natural and long time co-host on Boise's "The Music of Our Lives" weekly radio program.
John spent 15 years after retirement as a seasonal resident of Tucson, AZ. In 1999, he and Katie moved to Green Valley where he continued to pursue his interest in jazz, golf, and desert life until the onset of his sudden illness.
Katie survives him along with children and spouses Steven (Lisa), Chris (Gabriele) both of New York City, Laura Lange (Bruce) of Scottsdale, AZ, David (Ginger) of Portland, OR,; grandchildren, Brandon, Brittney, Alexandra, Taylor, Dylan and Mia; brother, Hal (Nita); sister, Betty Bengtzen (Bob); and brothers and sisters-in-law, Gus (Jean), Chris, Tina and Mary Katis.
John was proud of his Pioneer heritage, his military Service, his Forest Service career, and his family. He cherished his many friends and will be remembered for his loyalty to each of them. He loved nature, history, a good meal and of course the Big Bands. We will miss his unique wit, colorful storytelling, and strong opinions. He will continue to bring laughter to our lives.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 14, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Services will be held at the same location on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11 a.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in John's memory to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743, where he spent cherished time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on June 12, 2009
Born in Cortez, Colorado June 4, 1927 to Silas Decatur Kartchner and Elizabeth Hurst Kartchner, John "Johnny" "Jack" spent his formative years in Blanding, Utah, which filled him with stories and adventures that he reveled in for his entire life.
In 1940 the family moved to Salt Lake City where he graduated early from South High School then joined the Army. He prepared for World War II infantry service, but when the war ended he was sent to Panama where he was able to pursue his love of music, particularly Big Band Jazz, as a trombone player in the Army band.
On November 17, 1951 John married Amelia "Katie" Katis. He later joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he served over 30 years on the Wasatch, Boise, Bridger, Sawtooth, and Salmon National Forests. He retired in 1983 as a Senior Officer for the Boise (now National) Interagency Fire Center.
An authority on the Big Band Era, John's knowledge and insightful story-telling made him a natural and long time co-host on Boise's "The Music of Our Lives" weekly radio program.
John spent 15 years after retirement as a seasonal resident of Tucson, AZ. In 1999, he and Katie moved to Green Valley where he continued to pursue his interest in jazz, golf, and desert life until the onset of his sudden illness.
Katie survives him along with children and spouses Steven (Lisa), Chris (Gabriele) both of New York City, Laura Lange (Bruce) of Scottsdale, AZ, David (Ginger) of Portland, OR,; grandchildren, Brandon, Brittney, Alexandra, Taylor, Dylan and Mia; brother, Hal (Nita); sister, Betty Bengtzen (Bob); and brothers and sisters-in-law, Gus (Jean), Chris, Tina and Mary Katis.
John was proud of his Pioneer heritage, his military Service, his Forest Service career, and his family. He cherished his many friends and will be remembered for his loyalty to each of them. He loved nature, history, a good meal and of course the Big Bands. We will miss his unique wit, colorful storytelling, and strong opinions. He will continue to bring laughter to our lives.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 14, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Services will be held at the same location on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11 a.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in John's memory to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743, where he spent cherished time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on June 12, 2009
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
