There are 2 services for him. One in Portland this Friday that 4 or 5 of us are attending. On May 5th 3pm in El Segundo New City Church 591 E Palm Ave El Segundo CA.
So sad to hear John has died. Have memories of him and his great smile from elemnetary school through LCHS. Never recall him uttering an unkind word even as a kid. Wish I could attend the So Cal service. Best wishes and warn thoughts to John's wife. XO
John always had a kind, gentle spirit about him and that great smile. Thanks to those of you that gave us the opportunity to reach out to him before his passing. It was so special to read the article about his life as a minister too! He leaves a wonderful legacy.
John you were one of the good ones. I first met you in Junior High at F.I.S. A few years later you invited me and others to your home to share the "Good News" at the "Coffee House" sessions. I found out as the years have gone by that I definitly benefitted from the experience. John I valued your input during the storms that would present themselves in my life and after our discussions you helped me make positive adjustments to deal with the challenges that would come my way.You are to be admired for your selfless devotion as pastor and mentor to the congregation of the church you served in El Segundo. Later on,even when you were courageously battling cancer, your compassion was always present as you put the cares and concerns of others ahead of yourself. I will always admire you for that.
John a great loss is felt by myself, your classmates and those who have crossed your path.
My heartfelt condolences to your wife Suzy and the Svendsen family and to all those of have had the good fortune to know you.
I met John the second week of 7th grade at FIS. Many of us had to share a locker then. I wasn't sure who my locker partner was until I walked up behind him to see him looking through my lunch and helping himself to the Ding Dongs. He was very embarassed and apologetic but we soon became good friends. John also invited me to his Friday night gatherings at his house while in High School. I met many good friends there. At one of the reunions we saw each other and he told me he was a pastor. I couldn't expect anything else from John. A couple of years later I looked him up at his church in El Segundo and I asked him to officiate at my wedding. It made our wedding even more special to be married by one of your good friends. Last year as a gag, I mailed him a box of the new peanut butter Ding Dongs. We talked when he received them and that was when I found out he had cancer. He was in stage 4 but was still very optomistic and in great spirits. He said then he is making the very most of each day but he was already very prepared to meet his maker. He was a great inspiration until the very end. I'm sure he will be up there waiting to greet all of us when our day comes.
My sincere condolences to John's family upon his passing April 13, 2019. John, you shine. Released to be with God, through Jesus Christ, you found your calling early in life. So many of us unsure of ourselves, you stood tall, happy with that Amazing Smile. I'm sorry for John's cancer battle, yet I learned that his strength throughout his illness gave others a sense of peace and understanding of Faith. I learned of John's cancer late, and emailed him to share my gratitude of old LCHS days. He replied how he was not afraid, as his faith in God, in Christ, gave him strength in each day. John, I know your angels are guiding you Home. It is a blessing to have such connections with LCHS collegues, as we travel forward on our paths. Peace, Jill Tipton
My sincere condolences to John's family. John was a remarkable man. I've known John since junior high school (FIS) as we had a few classes together. He was so nice to me at the dances at the Youth House during those days (my ugly duckling days). John was the only guy that would ask me to dance. He made me feel like I was someone. Later on in high school he knew his calling. I remember those church meetings in his backyard on Friday nights. You are flying with the angels now John, and have met Jesus and God face-to-face. Lucky you. I'll see you on the other side John.
Always extremely difficult to say goodbye to a genuinely nice and gifted man. You left us much to soon - and yes your enthusiasm and smile was contagious and refreshing! Haven’t seen you for a quite a while but your lovely letter reply was heartfelt- thanks for the impact you had on so many!
John was a kind and gentle man with a terrific laugh. I am so grateful to have been able to email back and forth with him a few days before his journey to heaven. I was blessed by his words and will always remember him fondly. RIP John , see you when I get there.
Barbara Wullenwaber (Jones)
So sad to hear John has died. Have memories of him and his great smile from elemnetary school through LCHS. Never recall him uttering an unkind word even as a kid. Wish I could attend the So Cal service. Best wishes and warn thoughts to John's wife. XO
Kriste Winrich (Judd)
John always had a kind, gentle spirit about him and that great smile. Thanks to those of you that gave us the opportunity to reach out to him before his passing. It was so special to read the article about his life as a minister too! He leaves a wonderful legacy.
Many prayers of comfort and peace for the family.
Tom Hawkins
John you were one of the good ones. I first met you in Junior High at F.I.S. A few years later you invited me and others to your home to share the "Good News" at the "Coffee House" sessions. I found out as the years have gone by that I definitly benefitted from the experience. John I valued your input during the storms that would present themselves in my life and after our discussions you helped me make positive adjustments to deal with the challenges that would come my way.You are to be admired for your selfless devotion as pastor and mentor to the congregation of the church you served in El Segundo. Later on,even when you were courageously battling cancer, your compassion was always present as you put the cares and concerns of others ahead of yourself. I will always admire you for that.
John a great loss is felt by myself, your classmates and those who have crossed your path.
My heartfelt condolences to your wife Suzy and the Svendsen family and to all those of have had the good fortune to know you.
Ken Cone
I met John the second week of 7th grade at FIS. Many of us had to share a locker then. I wasn't sure who my locker partner was until I walked up behind him to see him looking through my lunch and helping himself to the Ding Dongs. He was very embarassed and apologetic but we soon became good friends. John also invited me to his Friday night gatherings at his house while in High School. I met many good friends there. At one of the reunions we saw each other and he told me he was a pastor. I couldn't expect anything else from John. A couple of years later I looked him up at his church in El Segundo and I asked him to officiate at my wedding. It made our wedding even more special to be married by one of your good friends. Last year as a gag, I mailed him a box of the new peanut butter Ding Dongs. We talked when he received them and that was when I found out he had cancer. He was in stage 4 but was still very optomistic and in great spirits. He said then he is making the very most of each day but he was already very prepared to meet his maker. He was a great inspiration until the very end. I'm sure he will be up there waiting to greet all of us when our day comes.
Jill Tipton
My sincere condolences to John's family upon his passing April 13, 2019. John, you shine. Released to be with God, through Jesus Christ, you found your calling early in life. So many of us unsure of ourselves, you stood tall, happy with that Amazing Smile. I'm sorry for John's cancer battle, yet I learned that his strength throughout his illness gave others a sense of peace and understanding of Faith. I learned of John's cancer late, and emailed him to share my gratitude of old LCHS days. He replied how he was not afraid, as his faith in God, in Christ, gave him strength in each day. John, I know your angels are guiding you Home. It is a blessing to have such connections with LCHS collegues, as we travel forward on our paths. Peace, Jill Tipton
Alison Hatch (Hamamoto)
My sincere condolences to John's family. John was a remarkable man. I've known John since junior high school (FIS) as we had a few classes together. He was so nice to me at the dances at the Youth House during those days (my ugly duckling days). John was the only guy that would ask me to dance. He made me feel like I was someone. Later on in high school he knew his calling. I remember those church meetings in his backyard on Friday nights. You are flying with the angels now John, and have met Jesus and God face-to-face. Lucky you. I'll see you on the other side John.
Chris Wagner
Always extremely difficult to say goodbye to a genuinely nice and gifted man. You left us much to soon - and yes your enthusiasm and smile was contagious and refreshing! Haven’t seen you for a quite a while but your lovely letter reply was heartfelt- thanks for the impact you had on so many!
Sherry Brown (Priest)
John was a kind and gentle man with a terrific laugh. I am so grateful to have been able to email back and forth with him a few days before his journey to heaven. I was blessed by his words and will always remember him fondly. RIP John , see you when I get there.
With loving memories, Sherry (Brown) Priest