Major John I. Lund USAF Ret.

John was born on January 10, 1931 in Whitefish, Montana to John and Bernice Lund. As the oldest of two children, John considered himself a protector in his family. He took this role seriously, and during his teen years, he worked as a Soda Jerk and at the railroad to help support his family during his father’s illness.

In April 1948, John joined the Air Force, and on August 5, 1949, he married the love of his life, Bonnie. This was the beginning of the life he loved and many adventures followed! Throughout his military career, John and Bonnie, along with children, Sandy, John, and Kathy, traveled across the United States, and abroad in Germany and Okinawa. While stationed in Germany, John and his family enjoyed many trips throughout Europe. John was also away from his family, serving remote tours in Ontario, Canada and Iceland. While it was difficult to be away from his family, he believed in serving his country, and strongly believed his service was both keeping his family safe while also supporting them. John entered the Air Force as an enlisted man and he retired as a Major after serving for 22 years. He was awarded the Airforce Accommodation Medal. John and Bonnie maintained many lifelong friendships with their military family. If John could have been in the military, his whole life, he would. John was truly the original Officer and Gentleman.

After retiring from the Air Force, John attended the University of Nevada – Reno, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In 1973, the family moved from Reno, Nevada to Washington State. They lived in Harrah for 27 years, before moving to Yakima. During this time, he worked in many fields, including owning an apple orchard, working as an independent contractor for Yakima County, and delivering Avon for his wife. He also volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol, which he greatly enjoyed, and brought him back to the work he did with the Air Force.

John was an honorable man, and he was liked by everyone who knew him. John had highest of expectations, both for himself and others. He lived by the values of honesty, commitment to work, and love of county and family, and he instilled these values in others. John was an excellent storyteller, although it took some time to get to the point. He had many hobbies, including traveling with Bonnie, golfing, fishing, shooting his guns, reading, and playing bridge and dice. He loved watching the Mariners as well as his grandchildren’s sporting events.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernice Lund, wife, Bonnie Lund, and children John Earl Lund and Sandy Wollam. John is survived by his children John Lund and Kathy (Patrick) Christopher; grandchildren Candace (Pieter) Gratama, Tawnya Turner, Travis (Lindsey) Christopher, and Nicole Christopher; and great-grandchildren Brittany, Tori, Spencer, Sydney, Nicolaas, and Halle.

A celebration of life will be held at Englewood Christian Church in Yakima, Washington on January 27 at 1:00 pm. Following this event, there will be a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Civil Air Patrol. To share a memory of John visit, www.lepfuneralhome.com.