John David Christopherson

March 29, 1964 – November 29, 2024

John Christopherson, 60, of San Luis Obispo, CA, passed away on November 29th from complications of pancreatic cancer, surrounded in body and spirit by his many loved ones.

John was born in San Diego and spent most of his youth in California. He got to see more of the US between 1973 and 1978 when his dad worked in the Atlanta and Chicago areas. In 1978, John happily returned to California’s milder weather to attend Fountain Valley High School. John earned an undergrad degree in Information Systems from the University of Redlands and a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University. He had over 30 years of experience successfully developing and deploying software solutions in a variety of industries. John was also a lifelong learner, becoming a certified Project Management Professional, a certified Scrum Master, and a Distinguished Toastmaster during his career.

Throughout his career, John remained a southern Californian at heart and lived in Orange Country for over 40 years. A few years ago, he and his wife moved to San Luis Obispo in California’s ruggedly beautiful central coast region. The slower pace, easier access to nature, and amazing local wines were the perfect draw for him.

John had many interests including music, cars (especially fast cars!), business, and finance, as well as sports in general and baseball fanatically. John’s perfect day was any day that the Angels were playing a double header and he could convince family or friends to join him at the game. John also possessed an obsession with exercise and personal health, taking great pride in his physical appearance. Most days, even after being diagnosed with cancer, he would work out in his garage as he sought to fulfill his lifelong goal of dropping down to welterweight without sacrificing his strength.

Renowned for his dry sense of humor, John loved to share a laugh with everyone. Given the understated nature of John’s sense of humor, the unindoctrinated might not realize that he was joking until they noticed the twinkle in his eyes and the mischievous grin that overtook his face. While John loved to laugh and make jokes at his friends’ expense, he had a much softer side that was not frequently seen but was always felt. John’s devotion to the people in his life was evident by the many friendships he cultivated and maintained over the decades.

John’s dedication to his wife and children was paramount. Early on in his career, he accepted a temporary position in Oman to have the chance to save for the down payment on his first home. This was a huge sacrifice for the man who struggled to tolerate any variation from the temperate Southern California weather he valued. Acts like this were the norm for John. Anytime his children were presented a new life opportunity, John was more than happy to research the opportunity and its implications in their lives. Even once he fell ill, the well-being of his wife and children remained the biggest concern for John.

John is survived by his wife of 32 years, Stephanie, his son, Scott, his daughter, Sarah, his stepmother, Nancy, his twin brother, Jim, and Jim’s spouse, C.C., his sister, Pam, and Pam’s spouse, Mike, his brother, David, and David’s spouse, Robin, his brother, Rob, his sister, Suzanne, and Suzanne’s spouse, Charles, his brother Stephen, and Stephen’s spouse, Kaitlyn, his sister-in-law, Laura, his brother-in-law, Will, and Will’s wife, Tina, his nieces, Emily, Sydney, Meg, Hope, Eve, Faye, and Dorothy, his nephews, Henry, Shane, Joe, Jack, Luke, Nathan, Gabe, Anthony, Sean, and David, his goddaughter, Michele, and his godson, Rodrigo. John was predeceased by his parents, Dave and Carol, and parents-in-law, Dewey and Mary.