John Clark Berkhoudt

John loved being a father. His final moments were in a quiet room, with his sons on either side of him. As his son, Jared, played his kalimba, Jonathan held his father's hand. As the music concluded, John Clark Berkhoudt's last breath was taken and he entered his final peace.

John lived his life believing in peace and love, whether through his anti-war feelings or unequivocal random gestures of kindness. He served in Vietnam as a first lieutenant infantry platoon leader in the US Army. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his duty and services.

After his service in Vietnam, John resumed teaching junior high school and coaching the boy’s swim team. After a year he was recruited as an early staff member of what became the New York State United Teachers association. He worked as a Labor Relations Specialist for over thirty years. He did his master’s work at Cornell’s Industrial Labor Relations School and taught Labor Relations in their extension program.

John always referred to Ruth Wright as his first “girlfriend.” They dated briefly in the mid-60s and in August 2000, they both happened to be in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where they literally bumped into each other. They were married (and John retired) on New Year’s Eve 2003 and John relocated to Charlotte.

John was always a positive source of loving energy for those around him. If not by cracking a joke to lighten the mood, he would go above and beyond to make someone's day extra special and memorable. For those he met, he made their day a little brighter. For those who knew him, he made their world a more interesting place. He was generous, sending gifts just because someone might like what he found. No special occasion necessary.

John was a wordsmith. He often wrote lengthy communications with clever puns and unusual word usages. He wrote two books filled with poetry, short stories, and ponderings crafted in a small notebook, in the jungle, in combat. The latest, In My Boots and Through My Eyes, was printed in early 2021.

His last weeks on this earth were met with medical hardship. After recent surgery, his body did not fare well. He developed complications and recovery was not a possibility.

He survived those last weeks with his wife at his side. On Christmas day, his step-daughter Kirsten, and her husband, Larry, along with their children, Dean and Julian spent time with him. His final few days were accompanied by Ruth and Kirsten, his sons Jared and Jonathan, his sister Janet and his brothers-in-law Larry and Stanley.

John is preceded to his heavenly home by his mother and father, Jennie and Clark Berkhoudt, sister Andrea See, niece Kelly and mother-in-law Ruth Wright. He is survived by his wife Ruth, sons Jared and Jonathan (Colleen) and their children Gretta, Cayden and Dalton; his step-daughters Kirsten and Annika and their families; his brother, Clark (Regina) and sister Janet (Larry), along with many nieces and nephews and countless others who became family through his loving embrace over the years.

John spent many summers as a camper and staff member at The Salvation Army’s Long Point Camp on Lake Seneca. Memorial gifts can be made in John’s name to:

The Salvation Army

Long Point Camp Memorial Fund

P.O. Box 148

Syracuse, NY 13206-0148

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Buffalo area in the future.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.