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OBITUARY
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OBITUARY |
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In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: EMT Association Injury PreventionP.O. Box 1518 Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Stories wantedCady Chapman is collecting John Volk stories and creating a book to give to his family. Please send her stories at cady@rockisland.com or fax them to 378-3583 or send them to PO Box 1833, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250 or drop them off at the Aid Unit. Thank you. |
John Charles VolkJuly 20, 1944 - December 11, 2006
John Charles Volk passed away on December 11, 2006 when he succumbed to complications during surgery to repair damage from an aortic aneurism. John was born on July 20, 1944 to Anna Belle and Charles Eugene Volk in Galion, OH. World War II was in full conflict and Gene waited seven months to come home to meet his first and only child. John grew up in Galion. He graduated high school in 1962. In 1966 he left Ohio to serve his country in the US Navy. He spent almost his entire two years of active duty as an electrician with the Seabees in Vietnam. In 1968 he exchanged his screw driver and combat boots for sunglasses and a patrol car with the California Highway Patrol. Sometimes his detail consisted of traffic control during celebrity parties in Malibu off the Pacific Coast Highway or movie set security. Back in his day it was cool, he told us, to wear your seatbelt in your car only during a high speed chase. This was to prevent one from sliding across an unobstructed vinyl bench seat. It was during his tenure with the CHP that he met and fell in love with his soul mate, Lainey Perlmutter. It was the classic tale of cop and waitress. They were wed December 21, 1974 and together they raised their children, John Charles II and Cristine Yvonne. In 1976 John left the CHP and moved his young family to San Jose, CA. There he started hanging garage doors and developed that company into a very successful manufacturing company. In 1987 John and Lainey purchased their piece of paradise in the San Juan Islands, WA and moved up in 1989. Over the next several years they dedicated themselves to building their dream house by hand. In their spare time over the years they enriched their lives by becoming active in several volunteer activities. John spent time as a firefighter, EMT, and Reserve Deputy. He was a member of the Healthcare Foundation, the Sailing Foundation, and previously served as fire commissioner and commodore of the San Juan Island Yacht Club. He was the current president of the San Juan Pilot?s Association and the San Juan Eagles. He was also an active member of Angel Flight and the San Juan Lions. John's life was filled with adventure. He had a passion for the air and sea. He had a great love of the outdoors. He was deeply loved and is missed immensely. He is survived by his mother Anna Belle, his wife Lainey, his son and daughter-in-law John and Becky Volk and their children Ian and Geoffrey, and his daughter and son-in-law Cristine and Chris Orr and their children Deanna and Gabriel. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and San Juan Islands. Please sign the online guestbook A message from John Volk's family
Photo by Sharon Kivisto posted 12/13/2006
Shortly after taking off, which we understand was beautifully done in the high winds, John told Al he had chest pain and was having a heart attack. Al, also a pilot, would have to fly the plane, and from the right side seat. They were cleared to make an emergency landing at Whidbey Naval Air Base. Al said John coached and corrected him all through the landing. (The runway there has obstacles as the Navy practices carrier landing on the field. John has been there before, belonging to the Civil Air Patrol and the Navy’s flying club.) An ambulance met them and whisked John away to the Navy hospital. The doctor planned to transfer him as soon as possible to a good cardiac hospital. The winds had grounded the Airlift helicopter so they flew him out in a Navy Search and Rescue helicopter. He was not having a heart attack, but had torn a hole in his aortic arch and damaged the valves. There was a crew awaiting him to start surgery when he arrived at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was still able to converse with them. He went into a very delicate surgery with a great team. When our family arrived shortly after surgery began, we were told what an impressive landing the helicopter made in such awful weather. Surgery was going well and his team was anticipating a successful outcome. Tragically, when it was time to revive his heart, additional damage from another unforeseen tear, prevented his resuscitation. John died on the operating table after 4 ½ hours of surgery, at about 4 in the afternoon. We are sure he loved the adventure of all that. We know he was not ready to leave us, but if he had to go, at least he went out as he had always lived: with a quiet flair for adventure. Our family is devastated and heart-broken. We loved him well. A Memorial Service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, December 16th at the Island Air Hangar. Missing Man Formation at 1:05 p.m. prompt. A reception will follow at San Juan Island Yacht Club. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
The John Volk Family |
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