John Nicholas Zefkeles

John N. Zefkeles, 76, of Bellevue, WA, passed away on January 4, 2013. He was born to Nicholas and Helen Zefkeles on February 28, 1936 in Seattle, WA. He was a lifelong resident of Seattle, WA, except for military service.

John graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1953, a class officer, honor student, and varsity baseball player. He graduated cum laude from the University of Washington, College of Business Administration, in 1957. He was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma, National Scholastic Honorary. He was in R.O.T.C. and was elected to Scabbard & Blade, National Military Honorary.

After college, John served in the U.S. Army. He graduated Artillery & Missile Officers School in Fort Sill, OK in 1958 as a First Lieutenant. He served active duty at Fort Ord, CA in 1958, then active reserve for seven years in Seattle, WA, and was honorably discharged as Captain.

John was hired by Safeco in 1958 and became Division Surety Manager. He conducted surety underwriting school for Safeco agents in the Home Office. At the time, Safeco was one of the largest multiple line insurance companies in the U.S.A. He was also an honor student and instructor at Sales Training, Inc.

John was hired by Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc. as Surety Bond Department Manager in 1968. After 33 years, he retired in 2000, having served as partner, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

John served on the Board of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers, and as its Northwest Regional Vice-President. He was also a member of the Board of Control, Seattle Chapter, Northwest Construction Council, affiliate of the Associated General Contractors of America.

His social affiliations included Overlake Golf & Country Club, The Rainier Club, Washington Athletic Club, Bellevue Athletic Club, Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Alumni Association.

John married Janet Maehl in 1957 in Seattle, WA, with whom he had two sons. Janet passed away in 1997. John remarried to Carolyn Swynenburg in 1998.

He enjoyed family, golf, travel, exercise and gardening. He maintained excellent health. John was an original, and exemplified integrity, fairness and high character. His unique levels of dedication and effort in life provided for many "John N. Zefkeles" memories.

John will be fondly remembered by family and many cherished friends. He is survived by his wife Carolyn; children Bradley and Brent; daughter-in-law Joan; brothers Evans and Gus; and five grandchildren Nicholas, Alexandria, Benjamin, Lewis, and Peter.

Private services were held. Please view the tribute to John on our Washelli website.