John G. Kaiser died March 20, 2005, at Whidbey General Hospital at the age of 88. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sept. 22, 1916, to John and Viola (Platz) Kaiser.

John’s father died at the age of 24, one month before John was born. His young teenage mother raised John, spending much of his early years in Brooklyn. John entered the U.S. Navy Reserves as an enlisted man and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was later commissioned as a Naval officer and, following the war, remained in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant commander with more than 29 years of service.

After the war, John began a career with the New York City Police Department, beginning his career as a beat cop. After a few years, John was transferred to the Emergency Services Division, serving as a member of the Harbor Precinct. John spent the next 20 years on the waters of New York City. John’s first wife Phyllis passed away in 1978.

After more than 22 years on the police force, John retired. Following the death his wife, John went to work on Wall Street for Farnstock Company in the order room. He remained there until 1982, when he moved to Phoenix, Ariz. John met Barbara, a girl from Long Island, and a romance blossomed. Barb and John were married Aug. 27, 1983, in Phoenix, Ariz.

John and Barbara remained in Phoenix for several years, while Barb managed her travel agency. Growing tired of the heat of the desert, the Kaiser’s began looking for a retirement area. They first tried Boise, Idaho, then Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and finally settled on Spokane. They spent the next 11 years in Spokane. While there, they gained an extended family with Kara Dubin and James Feldhausen and eventually became godparents to their children, A.J. and Tanner Feldhausen.

While living in Spokane, John and Barb vacationed in Oak Harbor, staying at the Navy Lodge. In 2001, they decided to make Oak Harbor their retirement home. John was a member of the Retired Military Officers Association. His name is inscribed on the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

John loved to laugh, tell jokes and was known as a great kidder. He loved his boys and enjoyed playing and flying kites. He was affectionately known as “Poppa.”

John is survived by his wife Barbara of Oak Harbor; by one daughter Virginia Dedona of Pelham Manor, N.Y.; one stepson, James Vares of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother Carl Sundquist of Vancouver; six grandchildren, Joseph, Michael, Nicholas, Anthony, Christopher and Krystina Dedona and two great-grandchildren, Mikaela and Ashton Dedona. He is also survived by his extended family, Kara Dubin and his godchildren A.J. and Tanner Feldhausen and their father James Feldhausen, all of Anchorage, Alaska.

Memorial services for John Kaiser were held Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Burley Funeral Chapel with CDR. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN(Ret) officiating. Burial at sea with full military honors will follow by the U. S Navy.