John Clayton Lisk

John Clayton Lisk, the son of John William Lisk and Jesse (Mueller) Lisk was born in Neenah, Wisconsin on a cold day--January 20th, 1935. The youngest of three children, John grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin, with occasional summer trips (alone!) to Danbury in Burnett County in northwestern Wisconsin. While still in elementary school, John met Hazel Mueller. It was by no means “love at first sight.” Young Hazel once kicked John and gave him a scar that he would have on his shin for the rest of his life. John enlisted in the Navy before graduating from high school and returned to graduate from Neenah High School after his first enlistment came to an end. It was at this time that he and Hazel Mueller began dating and soon the two were married. Hazel made sure that John took Christian instruction and church became a central part of their lifelong marriage. John reenlisted in the Navy and would go on to serve for just under 30 years. In February of 1959 in Memphis, TN, John and Hazel had their first child, a daughter, Rebecca Sue and in January of 1962 in Escondido, CA, a son, Kevin John, joined the family. John’s naval career took the family from Memphis, TN to Escondido, CA, back to Memphis, TN, to Puerto Rico, then to San Diego. He did three tours off the coast of Vietnam—one on the USS Constellation and the final two on the USS Enterprise. His final tour was a two year stint in the Philippines while the rest of the family remained in San Diego. After his naval career was finished, John was employed by General Dynamics--Convair to work on the development of the first generation Tomahawk cruise missile for the US Air Force both in San Diego and at Edwards Air Force Base. (The contract for the air force cruise missile eventually went to Boeing) The next ten years were spent in Appleton, WI where John first worked for a computer store and the later taught computers at Fox Valley Technical Institute (now college). After experiencing several Wisconsin winters John and Hazel decided to return to San Diego. John and Hazel lived with daughter Becky for several months while they searched for a home in San Diego. Once they purchased a home, John then worked for a couple of companies and also taught briefly at a technical college, but finally retired for the last time as he was approaching 70 years old.

John’s interests included computers and shooting. He was a superior marksman and was able to pass his knowledge down to his son as well as to his grandsons. John spent his final days on this earth with his wife Hazel at Felicita Vida in Escondido, where on April 11, 2023 the Lord called him to his heavenly home with his wife Hazel by his side. Becky and Kevin were able to say goodbye to John shortly before he breathed his last breath. John was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Alyce and Wanda. He is survived by his wife Hazel, his two children Becky and Kevin and their spouses Rick Danielson Jr. and Tiffany Lynn (Zuehls) Lisk, by five grandchildren: Joel Danielson (Tiffany), Megan Gibbon (Michael), John Lisk (Lily), Jordan Lisk, and Bethany Lisk.

John’s life was an amazing journey throughout much of the world, but John also had his struggles in life and like all of us committed his share of sins. But by grace he believed that the blood of Jesus covered all sins and because Jesus lives, John believed that he will live too—with Jesus forever in heaven. He is with Jesus now while the rest of us wait to go there too.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com for the Lisk family.