John Everett Huffstutter went to be with the Lord on March 12, 2010. He was born June 24, 1918, in Rawlins, WY to Ray and Mabel Huffstutter. Several periods of John's life were marked by what many would consider a hardship, but John saw these times as adventures and he loved retelling these stories with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. John's early years were spent traveling up and down the Pacific Coast during the Depression. His father had lost his arm in a lumber mill accident and jobs were hard to come by. John helped his family by being the cute young boy who went door to door selling soap, sewing needles and calendars. John always delighted in boasting that he consistently outsold his father and brother. This experience gave John the patience to listen politely to telemarketers, judge their performance, and graciously say, "No thank you." John's family was on the move a lot during that era and he had the distinction of attending every elementary school in Portland over a two year period. John went on to graduate from Fremont High School in L.A., as well as Whittier College. One of the highlights in John's life, was when he entered the U.S. Army on June 11, 1942. He became a member of the Elite First Special Force, a joint American-Canadian specially trained group, and forerunner of the Green Beret. John was in three Italian POW camps and Three German POW camps from April 1944 to June 1945. John had many favorite stories about his time during the War, and he loved to regale everyone with his adventures. John enjoyed teasing his future wife, Alene, about how she "caught" him at first sight with her recently dyed copper red hair. John and Alene were applying for the same job, in Southern California, at the L.A. County Parks and Recreation Department. The director could not choose between the two of them, so she hired them both. John married the love of his life, Alene Hall, on May 17, 1946, in Thermopolis, WY. Together they raised two children. In 1966, the family moved to the Olympia, WA area, where John worked for the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, until he retired in 1982. John enjoyed high country horseback camping, playing golf, winning games of cribbage or pinochle and watching his grandchildren participate in anything. John's favorite pastime in later years was reflecting on the many blessings of his life, especially each member of his family.

John is survived by his wife, Alene; his son, William Huffstutter (Pam) of Bakersfield, CA; his daughter, Kathleen Schwab (David) of East Wenatchee; four grandchildren, Randy Huffstutter (Sheila) of Torrance, CA, Robin Huffstutter, who is currently working in India, Shawn Schwab (Melissa) of East Wenatchee and Richard Schwab (Jessica) of Ellensburg, WA; six great-grandchildren, Jason and Julia Huffstutter of California, Makenna and Conner Schwab of East Wenatchee and Riggan and Rylan Schwab of Ellensburg, WA. John was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Richard, whose picture was prominently displayed beside his TV remote control.

A Memorial Service in honor of John's life will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at the East Wenatchee First Baptist Church. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.