John Howard Bigelow

John H Bigelow, 95, passed away April 7, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. He was born January 31, 1931 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the youngest of Howard and Ruth Cooley Bigelow’s four children. He was a talented musician and esteemed college professor. An avid reader and world traveler, John was curious, engaged and active to the end.

John was preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 48.5 years, his first wife Janette Sherman, daughter-in-law Claudia, and his siblings Barbara, Mary and James. He is survived by daughters Allison Bigelow, Connie Bigelow (Walter White), son Charles Bigelow (CoVan Nguyen) and two grandchildren, William and Cecilia Bigelow.

John grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, graduated from State High and enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in San Francisco, where he attended the Navy School of Music, and in Norfolk, Virginia. He liked to say he defended the country with a string bass and a tuba.

He returned to Michigan to study for a master’s degree at Michigan State University then moved to Detroit where he worked for the city planning commission and taught part-time at Wayne State University. He completed his doctoral thesis “Politics and Community Planning” and received his PhD from MSU in 1969. His work took him to Nigeria and eventually to Washington, DC where he worked as a housing and urban development consultant. He returned to teaching at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria campus and Loudon campus.

Following an early retirement, John and Helen set out to circumnavigate Australia and New Zealand. They eventually resettled to the gulf coast in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, living near his sister Mary in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed guest house. The climate did not suit them so they moved again to Seattle in the early 1990s and found their forever home. He and Helen continued to travel internationally and made regular visits to family and friends throughout the U.S. They enjoyed theater together and John enjoyed symphony, opera and the Garden Railway Society.

During all this time John also worked as a musician. In Detroit he played Dixieland jazz, society dance band gigs, and marched with the police band in Thanksgiving Day parades.

In Virginia, he played bag pipes in the Alexandria Pipe and Drum Band. In Seattle, he got back into music via the North Seattle College symphonic band and from there he worked with the Seattle Civic Band, the Boeing Big Band, the Market Street Jass Band and others. He always loved an opportunity to make a joyful noise for his community. He played his last gig with the Seattle Civic Band in March 2026.

He was a voracious reader, open, engaged and interested in the people and the world around him. He embraced life with gusto and he never knew a stranger. He enjoyed bad puns, dad jokes and talking story. He was always there for his family in times of need and times of joy. He shared his wisdom in classrooms and living rooms, everywhere he went. He taught us well: “everyone works until the work is done”; “don’t say anything if you haven’t got something nice to say”; “if people don’t like the way you look they can turn away, but if you stink, you have a problem”; and “here’s how to hold your coffee so you don’t spill it while driving”.

The family is forever grateful to the staff and residents of Truewood on Capitol Hill for making his last years comfortable and fulfilling. He loved his community, he loved being downtown, he loved being “on the right side of the grass, upright and taking nourishment.”

He left this world sitting in his recliner chair, listening to jazz in a sun filled room with a stack of books by his side. Bon voyage Dad! We will always love you and you will be missed. “Big Dad Bigelow” aka “Big John” was a force for good, “laughing and scratching” all the way.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Salmon Bay Eagles in Ballard, 5216 20th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107. There will be music.

If you wish to make a donation in his honor, the family suggests the Seattle Symphony or the performing arts organization of your choice.