Alfred 'Al' E. John, 93
Alfred “Al” E. John, Ph.D., 93, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell.
He was born on Dec. 12, 1920, in Berlin, Germany, to Alfred and Margaret (Kressen) John.
Al came to the United States with his family at 4 years of age and lived in New York City until he was 10 years old. The family then moved to Long Island, N.Y., and John attended New Town High School in Queens. It was in high school that he became involved in track and field. He was a member of the track team that won the city championship where he ran the quarter mile. From New Town High School he earned a scholarship to LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, Long Island, known as the Flying Cadets of LaSalle.
Al graduated in 1941, at the beginning of the war, from LaSalle and went to college at St. John's University but ended up signing up for the U.S. Coast Guard. He went on to drill instructor school and became a “D.I.” Al met Jack Dempsey during his time as a drill instructor.
Eventually Al requested sea duty and got onto an ice breaker weather ship up towards Greenland and Iceland. After some time he was transferred to Destroyer Escorts doing convoy duty in the Atlantic where he remained until the end of the war in Europe.
With the end of World War II he was sent through the Panama Canal into the Pacific heading for the South Sea Islands. With the eventual end of the war, Al was sent home and back to New York. Then he applied at Hofstra University where he graduated with a major in history and minor in education.
About that time (1954) he met a pretty young woman, Millie Nelson, who talked him into marriage. They were married for 51 years. Millie passed away in 2006.
While working as a high school teacher he received his master's degree at Hofstra University. As the years passed, Al coached track and field at a high school level. He retired from teaching after 30 years at Harbor Field High School.
Two years before retirement while on a sabbatical leave, he and Millie packed their bags and hit the road. They came into this part of Montana and fell in love with the land and the people.
His life touched everyone he met. He had a warm and wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed.
Al John, Ph.D., is survived by his sister-in-law, Gloria Mint; and nephews, Andy and Tom.
A memorial service for Al will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, at Lions Park, south of Kalispell.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Al's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Al's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.