John attended Lusted and Orient Grade Schools and graduated from Gresham High School in 1956. He married Priscilla Huntsman on April 1st, 1961; she died on October 29, 2000. He and Kathy Rule were married in 2008. He was a third-generation farmer in Gresham, Oregon. He grew potatoes, a variety of berries, and later transitioned to nursery stock that he supplied to local landscapers and garden centers. He retired from farming in 2015 and moved to Battle Ground, WA.
John was preceded in death by his first wife, Priscilla, and granddaughter, Nadia Zyelinske. He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Battle Ground, brother Gordon of Gresham, sister Lisette Palmer of Fairview, Lois Clark of Canada, Stephen of Scappoose, David of Gresham, Eunice Laughery of Vancouver, Hannah Blake of Ridgefield, Rachel Sester of Arizona, Abigail ElGawli of New Jersey, stepsons Andrew, Jeremy, Timothy, Peter, Daniel, Sam, 22 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
Private family visitation followed by a graveside service, Tuesday, May 3rd at 12:30 PM at Douglass Pioneer Cemetery in Troutdale.
Arrangements by Bateman Carroll Funeral Home
Serving as pallbearers are Andrew Blake, Philip Blake, Caleb Sester, Peter Sester, Jeremiah Sester, Joel Sester, Nolan Sester and Joshua Zyelinske.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the Sester family.
