John Arthur Doerksen

November 28, 1938 – April 5, 2023

Loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, sibling, John departed to be with his Lord and Saviour, having known the joys of walking faithfully with Him all his life. (John gave his heart to Jesus as a young child.)

He will be dearly missed by Evelyn (nee Neufeld), his wife of 54 years, and lovingly remembered by his children Marci (Dee) and Byron (Julie), 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, many nieces & nephews, and his 9 (of 15) remaining siblings.

John was known for being “crazy about airplanes”. This love translated into a career that spanned 51 years, from age 17 when he joined the RCAF to his final retirement. A gifted aircraft mechanic, he serviced everything from small Tutor jets to a variety of wide-bodied commercial airliners. His highlight year was with the Snowbird Team in 1973, performing with the sleek little Tutors at airshows, crisscrossing Canada and the U.S.

When they were young, John and his brother Bill built a speed boat! This became a huge source of fun for their group of friends in Fort St. John that included their future wives, Evelyn and Sharron.

John had many talents which family and friends benefited from. He was an all- around fix-it man and a meticulous, creative landscaper/gardener. He was a whiz at recalling dates and events. A talented writer, he kept a journal for many years and wrote a book of his memoirs in his later years.

John fought a courageous battle with cancer, rarely complaining. Today he is alive and free, young and healthy, in a place so glorious we can scarcely imagine – his home in Heaven, where we’ll meet again.

Family & friends are invited to a celebration of John’s life on June 23, 2023 at Bella Vista Church of God, at 1:30 pm.

Arrangements in care of Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-4333