John Burke Dastrup

John Burke Dastrup died at his home in La Jolla CA on 1 Nov 2023 at the age of 91. John is survived by his wife, Donna Muchmore Dastrup; children, Pamela Jo Dastrup (Dr. Ann Lebedeff) of Temecula, Sherri Dastrup Knobloch (Peter Knobloch) of University City, John Mark Dastrup (Susan Wilkinson) of Sorrento Mesa, and David Craig Dastrup (Jackie Martin) of Escondido, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. John, an only child, was preceded in death by his parents, John Owen Dastrup and Blanche Montez Christiansen. He attended the University of Utah for 2 years before joining the Navy during the Korean Conflict. He spent a year in electronics training at Treasure Island, 6 months on a minesweeper off the coast of Korea, and the rest of his service at Fleet Air Defense, Point Loma. In 1957 he married Donna Muchmore, an RN. Before his discharge from the Navy, he was hired as a senior engineer at Cubic Corp. His children remember him as a father who cared very much about teaching his children values and responsibility. He also encouraged them to think things through, work hard, strive to make wise choices, and prepare for the future.

John was accomplished at many things. As a child and young man, he played the piano and violin. Electronics was his first love and he built the first 4 computers he and Donna used. Before automobiles became so complicated, he loved working on his cars. Camping in Southern Utah became a passion, first with 4-wheel drive, then motorcycles, and once he discovered Lake Powell, a boat and wave runners were mandatory. Eventually, he and Donna bought a second home on the rim at Page AZ and spent half the year there enjoying the “color country”. He also had a passion to travel and planning the trip was as much fun as taking it. He and Donna were blessed to visit many parts of the world, including a cross country trip of the US and cruises to Alaska, the South Pacific, the coast of Mexico, Panama Canal, South America, and Europe. On Oct 15, they returned from a 29 day cruise on the Mediterranean Sea, visiting Greece, Turkey, and Egypt.

John was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life. He served as an Elder’s Quorum President, as a counselor in a Bishopric, and he and Donna served two missions in Wyoming at the Mormon Handcart Historic Sites.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the chapel of the Pacific Beach Ward, 5151 Fanuel St, San Diego. A Viewing will be held from 10 to 11. The service will be from 11 to 12. Following interment at El Camino Memorial Park, a luncheon will be served at the Dastrup Home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John Dastrup’s life. Bishop David Clark will be conducting the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to LightBridge Hospice Care, LBHCF.ORG, 6155 Cornerstone Ct. E Ste. 220, San Diego, CA 92121. The family is so very grateful for the kind and compassionate care the nurses from LightBridge provided for John.