James R. StJohn's Obituary
James Randall StJohn (Jim) 68, passed away on July 6th, 2022 at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas. His dear friend Holly was by his side.
Jim was born on April 8th, 1954 in Salem, Oregon to parents John (Jack) & Lois (Cooper) StJohn. He grew up on the StJohn family poultry farm in Gervais, Oregon working the farm with his father. Jim graduated Gervais Union High School in 1972. After which he joined the United States Air Force and traveled the world for 6 years serving his country. Jim made his way home to the family farm in 1980 and settled down to start a family of his own. He became the proud father of two sons and a daughter before going to Air Traffic Control School and starting a lifelong career in the Federal Aviation Administration. He moved to Louisiana in 1995 and continued his FAA career at the DeRidder Flight Service Station, until his retirement in 2005. Like his father, Jim also earned his private pilot license and enjoyed flying small planes in his free time. Jim was a Harley Davidson enthusiast and had been riding motorcycles for more than forty years, he traveled the country with his beloved Grey Ghost and a host of other bikes until the last 9 months of his life. He was an avid skier and loved the Oregon coast. Jim knew no strangers and was respected and well liked everywhere he went. His time-honored words of wisdom were always “don’t lie, don’t cheat, & don’t steal”. He will be missed by all who knew him. Jim lived life on his terms, free and full to the very last minute.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Lois StJohn, wife Caren StJohn, sister Barbara (StJohn) Scherzinger, & son Jason StJohn.
Jim is survived by his son Dr. Christian Heydorn (Diana) of Phoenix Arizona, Step-daughter April Gritta (Larry) Anacoco Louisiana, daughter Jessica StJohn-Floyd (Derek) Baird, Texas. As well as nine grandchildren, Elizabeth, Zachariah, & Ashley Heydorn, Bryce & Ariana McAfee, Jackson, Jacob, Jason II, & Jessa Floyd. Cousins, Dennis StJohn (Sharon) Gervais Oregon, Tina StJohn, Longview Washington. As well as a few 2nd & 3rd cousins.
The family extends special thanks to dear friends Mike Fields, Holly Borgen, & Billy Outlaw.
The memorial service will be held at the VFW in DeRidder, Louisiana on Saturday July 23rd at 5pm.
A second memorial will be held in Oregon at a future date. Followed by his family scattering his ashes on Mt. Hood.
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