He would visit Disneyland where his father, John Gaynor, had worked for years helping construct as a welder. He attended The University of California in Los Angeles and received his Master’s in Meteorology. John met Luisa Li, a fellow student while at UCLA. They later married and moved to Boulder Colorado, where John worked for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They had 2 daughters, Barbra Barmettler (Gaynor) and Bonnie Machuca (Gaynor) who were raised in Boulder, Colorado. Luisa Gaynor (Li), John’s first wife passed away in July of 1988.
After John’s daughters moved to California, John’s career with NOAA brought him to Potomac Maryland where he was promoted to the prominent level of director. He had many important and interesting career projects such as traveling abroad to Europe to help U.S. allies with projects involving sea conditions and military defense. His work also took him to Washington D.C to offer advice to congressmen working on bills related to NOAA projects, and many other countries including Thailand, and Norway. After an accomplished career with NOAA for 40 years, John retired and moved to San Diego, California and married his wife Ilene Gaynor (Kolbe) in May of 2013, whom he had a close relationship with for 22 years prior.
He spent his retirement with Ilene traveling around the world. Their trip to Iceland was one of the most memorable for John. He also loved spending time with his 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren both in San Diego and Oakland, California. John’s interests included reading history, bowling, watching college and pro football games and trying out new restaurants with his wife Ilene.
His sudden and unexpected departure caught his family by surprise since John loved to exercise daily; went for daily walks and ate healthy. He will truly be missed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ilene Gaynor (Kolbe), his daughters Barbra Barmettler (Gaynor), and Bonnie Machuca (Gaynor), and his grandchildren, Micaela Machuca, Gael Machuca, Xavier Machuca, and Austin Barmettler. He is also survived by his sister Joyce Johnson and her husband Rupe Johnson.
There will be a celebration of life in his memory with family and friends at his and Ilene’s home this Saturday November 24th from 12 to 4 pm. If interested in attending please inquire for the address at 858-254-4631. A donation in his name can be made to the American Red Cross for the victims of the Paradise Fire, which deeply touched him.
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ (Select California Wildfires)
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