John Serfling, my dad, passed peacefully on March 19, 2022. He had been fighting a tough infection for a few years, and it just became too much for his body.

My brother, sister, Jimmi, myself and a few other family and friends had wonderful visits with him in the hospital before he passed away. It was a very tough time, but we know he is no longer in pain and he is with the love of his life, my mom.

We are having a Celebration of Life for my dad on May 21, 2022, at 1:00 pm at the Rockin’ Horse Dance Barn. Those that knew him are invited to Celebrate his Life with us.

Those of you that knew him know what a great guy he was. He was also a great husband, father, brother and uncle to all of us family.

No one ever had a bad thing to say about my dad. I was always proud to introduce my parents to people or have people say, “You look just like your dad” or “I can tell that’s your dad”.

Dave

Celebration of Life for my dad

A little history of my dad.

He was born in June of 1939 and grew up in the tiny town of Gardiner in Southeast Oregon. It’s between Florence and Reedsport. He spent the first years of his schooling in the one K-8 schoolhouse they had. Then for High School he got bussed to Reedsport, Oregon.

He lived in the same house for all of his youth. After High School he moved to Tacoma for Boat Building School and lived in a boarding house during that time. On a field trip with that school, he saw a Pattern Shop next to a Foundry and decided THAT’S what he wanted to do, be a Pattern Maker. And he did it for his whole career! Note: He did make one or two small boats for school.

My mom grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon. My parents met at Summer Church Camp. I believe it was during High School. They corresponded and of course later got married December 31, 1960. Then in December of 1960 I was born.

My parents moved to Seattle and in 1962 bought the only house they ever lived in. That was 60 years in one house, about a year or so in an apartment and the first 20 years in his parents’ house. He didn’t move much or change much. My Mom passed April 16, 2011. Dad really missed her.

There were three of us kids, me, my brother Philip, and my sister Trina in that order.

This page is meant to Honor my Dad and what he did for me and what he meant to me.