Age 99, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2016, with his family at his side. John was born in Aizkraukle, Latvia. He came to the U.S. in 1949, eventually settling in Kalamazoo with his family. He was a long-time member of the Latvian Church and a member of the Latvian Tervetija Fraternity. In 1948 he married the love of his life, Inda Karlsons, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter and two grandchildren. He was preceded in passing by two sisters.