John Thomas Strand

John Strand passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He put up a courageous battle against multiple myeloma, diagnosed just two months previous.

John was born and raised in north Everett and was always an adventurer. His childhood was spent hopping trains, hitching rides, flying/piloting any airworthy airplane and gillnetting with his father in Puget Sound. He hung out with pilots at Paine Field and the old Marysville airport. Eventually, Arlington Airport became his home base for flying. He was certified in land and sea, single and multi-engine aircraft and was instrument and commercial rated. His passion was to fly any and all type of aircraft. He owned a T-6 Warbird, and 8 other airplanes. John logged over 100 different types of aircraft including the P-51 Mustang, the Mobil Blimp and gliders. He made multiple parachute excursions too.

John worked in the telephone industry most of his life and embraced the challenges of the ever-changing telecommunication business. He was instrumental in proposing and implementing one-party telephone lines. The word “can’t” was not in his vocabulary. John was a natural negotiator, in business and personal life. He was not afraid of conflict and brought a cool head to resolve issues. Boeing (Seattle) was John’s first employer and he began work on his 18th birthday. He subsequently worked for West Coast Telephone Company (WTC), General Telephone (GTE), Continental Telephone Company (CTC) and Boeing Telecommunications (Everett ). At GTE, he was also a corporate airplane pilot.

John loved to travel and explore. He RV’d with his family for 37 years and just recently returned from his winter home near Palm Springs, California. Over the years, he made multiple trips across the country and his journeys took him to all of the United States. Trips to Norway, Sweden and England were the subject of fond memories. A “Do Not Enter” sign was an opportunity and a teachable moment for those along for the ride. He was with the love of his life, Judith, for 40 years and leaves behind two children, four grandchildren, and numerous relatives and friends. John gave unconditional love and understanding to those he cherished. He proudly spent the last 20 years in Bermuda shorts and sandals always seeking warm weather and clear skies.

One of John’s favorite quotes was “It will feel better when it stops hurting”. And so it will……

Subsequent to his hospital stay John made revisions to his course “Dying 101”. This is a one-time only course. There will be no test. It will be noted in your transcript and cannot be repeated.

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Arrangements under the direction of Evergreen Funeral Home, Everett, WA.