Patrick Walter Johns

"Anything is possible.” That is what Patrick Walter Johns believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Patrick thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Patrick was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

Patrick was born on August 27, 1950 at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, California. His parents were Audell A. & Eleanor E. Johns. Patrick was raised in Los Angeles, California. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Patrick could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Patrick's family relationships. Patrick was raised with two brothers and two sisters. He had one older brother, Mike, one older sister, Mary Elizabeth, one younger brother, Doug and one younger sister Nancy. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Patrick was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, Patrick could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Patrick took part in basketball and bowling. He was a member of the Boy Scouts. In his spare time he liked comic books, mostly Flash Gordon.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Patrick enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Patrick was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Simi Valley High School in 1968. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was Shop. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Schuman.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Patrick performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. He was working towards his Associates in Law. His favorite courses were the Administration of Law. He was the John Travolta of his day.

Patrick was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Patrick was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Patrick to be very stimulating company. Patrick's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were Chuck Middleton. Later in life, he became friends with Clarice and David Montgomery and Michael and Kat Kartak.

On May 12, 1971 Patrick exchanged wedding vows with Valerie Crapo at Fort Ord in Monterey, California. Patrick was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Patrick was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Patrick was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Valerie (ex-wife). In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Patrick loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Valerie (ex-wife)'s.

Patrick's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Patrick was blessed with seven children, four sons, Shawn, John, Jimmy, and Shane and three daughters, Sheila, Sharlene and Sharee. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren, Ethan, Baby Aurora, Cody, Evan, Tara, Jared, Jason, Caroline and Brooke. Someone who was quick to laugh, Patrick found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

As a born inventor, Patrick was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Patrick was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Patrick was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was owner of Honey Dew Maintenance. He was self-employed for 31 years. Patrick always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Patrick's “never say die” attitude and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Patrick carried with him into the military. Patrick was an Army Veteran. He was in the Infantry Company A, 2nd battalion 3rd Brigade based out of Fort Ord, Monterey, California. Patrick saw action for Vietnam War. Through his hard work and dedication, he earned not only the respect of his fellow service men and women, but also was presented with various awards, including National Defense Service Medal and Marksman (Rifle). He achieved the rank of SP4.

Patrick's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Patrick was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Patrick simply couldn't’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were doing community service, helping those in need, riding/breaking horses and shooting.

Patrick's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, Patrick played baseball and bowling. Recreational sports included bowling and speed walking. Patrick was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were W.W.E. Wrestling! And occasionally a baseball game.

Faith and religion were important to Patrick. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 11 years. During that time, he was a counselor in the Elders Quorum and Elders Quorum President.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Patrick. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Patrick to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Patrick was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Two of Patrick's favorites were Ruger and Ginger. Ruger was a part Lab/Pit-Bull and Ginger was a pure-bred Yellow Lab. They were best friends...Ruger for 14 years and Ginger for 12 Years. His family was rounded out by his Chocolate Lab, Roxy, pet owl and 'Chipper' the Squirrel.

Even while in retirement, Patrick never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In June of 2006., his new life involved relocating to Sultan, Washington. In retirement, he found new pleasure in P.I. Work, walking daily and meditation. He had a love for music and was intuitively gifted in helping others. Even in retirement, Patrick continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Patrick passed away on January 8, 2012 at Providence Regional Medical Center, Colby Campus in Everett, Washington, due to a massive Heart Attack, which, in turn, caused severe brain damage. He is survived by his seven children, Shawn, Sheila, Sharlene, John, Jimmy, Sharee and Shane, and his nine grandchildren, Evan, Terra, Cody, Caroline, Jared, Jason, Brooke, Ethan and Baby Aurora. Services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sultan Building, in Startup Washington. Patrick was laid to rest in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Everett, Washington.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Patrick. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Patrick was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Patrick, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Patrick Walter Johns, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.