John Pike

Quiet, reserved and logical are trademark qualities that friends and family might use to describe John Pike. John was an intuitive person. He was the type of person who could comfortably get lost in his thoughts, someone who had tremendous problem solving abilities. Always conscientious and focused on details, John was a person who loved to imagine the possibilities of life.

He was the son of George and Martha Pike. John did not have to surround himself with people to be content. He was the type of person who enjoyed being alone rather than be part of a large crowd. He could be content for hours in some activity or be lost in his own imagination.

John was adaptable and had good listening skills which he would use to his advantage when it came to family life. He had one younger brother, Paul. He rarely shied away from family discussions. He would debate with his brother but if it turned into an argument, John would often turn it into an agreement. In general, the family got along well and shared many memorable experiences.

In grade school, John gravitated toward others who shared similar interests and enjoyed physical activity. He was always curious about what made things work, and he would excel at the things that called more for "brain" power. John took part in baseball. He delighted in the projects that required planning, exploration and solution. John's memorable achievements included. As was evident by those who knew him, his most fun was to be found in books and in research.

Although John had a small group of friends, they were a close knit group and he enjoyed spending time with them. He liked to be able to engage them in discussions on the many topics he found interesting. Those who knew him well might describe John as a good listener who could bring out a type of understanding from those around him that even surprised them. He was passionate in his commitments and would never intentionally hurt anyone. Later in life, he became friends with Joe Fairick.

John finally found connection and fulfillment when on September 3, 1961; he exchanged wedding vows with Judith Kay Riddle at the Little Chapel of Burbank, California. Judy was influential in John's life and brought a dimension of emotion and feelings to a man who mostly lived in his intellect. John grew, blossomed and became more balanced because of their love and compassion.

John was a hard worker and a good provider who loved his family even though he wasn’t very demonstrative. John was blessed with two children, one son, Steve, and one daughter, Kerry. They were also blessed with one grandson, Spencer. John's sense of fun was often unleashed in his puns and witty, intelligent quips. The children always knew how much John loved them.

Finding the right type of job can be a challenge for anyone, but that was especially true for John Pike. He needed to find a career that would challenge him. Fortunately, he found a career path where he could use his natural intellect and his natural critical thinking skills. His primary occupation was as a flight line mechanic. He was employed for 35 years by Lockheed. John was a dedicated and valued employee and was respected by his colleagues for his ability to grasp and understand difficult concepts.

John was an Air Force veteran. He spent time in both Germany and France. John saw action for the Korean War. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Airman. John was an asset to the military system. He had the ability to appreciate the logic necessary to succeed in a regimented life style.

Hobbies were more than fun for John because he challenged himself to learn the theory behind the actual activity. Knowing how things worked was more incentive than just performing and completing the task. His favorite pursuits were gardening vegetables, namely tomatoes.

John found great pleasure by relaxing and watching sports on TV or in person. He was an avid student of the game and enjoyed comparing his ideas and choices with what actually happened during the game. Even though he generally would keep his feelings to himself, John would often use athletic events and sports as an outlet. He also enjoyed just being a sports fan. Baseball was at the top of his list.

Friends and acquaintances usually viewed John as the brains behind the operation and using this talent, he contributed a great deal to the many organizations to which he belonged. His own ability to adapt actually helped those around him to come up with creative approaches to a variety of situations. John worked hard once he became committed to a goal, and he was a strong contributor whenever it came to the planning process. Throughout his later years, John was an active coach for Little League for 15 years.

He worked out many of the details in advance so that he could enjoy the time and not have to worry. In retirement, he found new pleasure in gardening.

John Pike passed away on September 9, 2012 at Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia, California. He is survived by his son Steve, daughter-in-law Christine, and grandson Spencer. Services were held at Eternal Valley Memorial Park. John was laid to rest in the Veterans' Garden at Eternal Valley in Newhall, California.

Those who knew and loved John will miss his quiet gentleness, his curiosity and his ability to often turn work situations into fun experiences. He leaves all those who knew him with many wonderful memories.

Paying homage to John’s carefree zest for life, the family has requested that informal attire be worn to the service. The family has also invited you to make a donation in memory of John to the American Cancer Society.