John Alexander Levis

John Alexander Levis, of Clovis, CA, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, after a short illness. He was 82. He attended Roosevelt High School and Fresno State College, and married Barbara Ann Diederich in 1956.

After his college graduation, John was commissioned into the United States Air Force and attended pilot training in Texas. He spent six and a half years flying KC-135's at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA. During that time, he also earned a Master's Degree in Economics from Eastern Washington University. After completing his Active Duty service, John joined the Air National Guard in Fresno, CA, serving as the Base Comptroller during his final five years of duty. He retired as a Colonel from the military in 1987. He was a pilot for Pan American Airways for 21 years and retired in 1987.

John and Barbara spent the past 25 years living in their home on the banks of the San Joaquin River while enjoying the vast diversity of wildlife nearby as he tended to his many plants and gardens. In retirement, they spent many days hiking and camping in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains that they both loved so dearly.

He instilled in his family the value of hard work, his love of nature, and his love of travel. After his retirement, he and Barbara continued to travel throughout the world, and managed to visit most of the U.S. National Parks as well. After celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary in August, they soon traveled once more to northern France, a region he loved, and walked together to visit the abbey at the summit of Mont St. Michel.

John Levis is survived by his wife, Barbara Levis; his four children, Michael Levis, Patricia Levis-Eissler, Mark Levis, and Suzanne Levis; and his five grandchildren, Forrest, Ryan, Brianne, Brian, and Matthew. His spirit travels on.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, December 15, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, December 16, 2016, at 10:30 a.m.