John Papa Hubert Kok Jr.

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Uncle, John H. Kok, Jr., died at his home in Lincoln California on Thursday January 26, 2012 five days short of his birthday. Private services to celebrate John’s life will be held on what would have been his 83rd birthday, January 31.

John was born in Lynden Washington to John and Jenny (Haveman) Kok, on January 31, 1929, where he spent his formative years on the family dairy farm. John met the love of his life, Elsie Paauw of Vancouver BC in 1947 and they married in 1950. He attended Western Washington University and spent the majority of his professional life as a Mortician and Funeral Director which allowed John to share his great compassion with those he served. Along with his sister and brother-in-law, Marge and Jerry De Jong, John opened Colton Funeral Chapel in 1960. In 1971 John switched gears and moved his family to Sonoma and opened Western Auto. He later acquired Franklin Furniture and along with Elsie operated the business until his retirement in 1982. Throughout his working life John shared his talents with many civic organizations in both Colton and Sonoma. John and Elsie remained in Sonoma until 2005 when they moved to Lincoln.

John’s greatest pleasure was spending time with his family. One of his greatest achievements was his 61 year marriage to Elsie. John is survived by his wife Elsie and their children, Esther and Curtis Frolich of Vallejo, Beverly and Dean Davis of Windsor and John and Deborah Kok of Auburn. John’s dedication to family included his great love for his seven grandchildren and their spouses; Richard and Sarah Rigney, Tina Rigney, Julie Davis and Eunoto Doswell, Joni Davis and Gregory Plumb, Dean Davis, Jr., Jennifer Kok Neimeyer and Andrew Neimeyer and John H. Kok IV. John’s legacy of love included his three great grandchildren Richard Rigney, Katie Rigney and Dakari Doswell. He also enjoyed his special relationship with his nephew and niece Dean and Barbara Cochran of Lincoln. John was a devoted Christian who walked the walk. He never missed an opportunity to make a new friend and John had many. He believed that strangers were just friends he had not yet met. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him and we are comforted with the knowledge that John is now home with the Lord whom he faithfully served throughout his life. John’s final resting place will be in Napa California.