With saddened hearts, the John E. Love family says goodbye to their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, John Edward Love—a man who exemplified kindness, faithfulness, compassion, integrity, and righteousness. On September 17, 2021, John was called home by his Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 88.
John was born November 11, 1933, in Vaughn, Washington. At the age of three, he was placed in the Spokane Children’s Home and, at the age of six, was adopted by Stella and James Love of Garfield, Washington. Looking back, John said he had been “off and on living with the Indians” on the coast, and then lived in an orphanage where he had more fun than a kid should be allowed to have. John graduated from Garfield High School in 1950, went to Whitworth College, and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a Petty Officer aviation machinist’s mate. Upon graduation, he received his commission as an officer and earned a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics with a minor in Physics and Speech.
During his years at Whitworth, he met and married the love of his life, Susan Ann Oliver Love, in 1954. John was a fun-filled, energetic, caring, and giving man and devoted husband. Within their 67 years of marriage, they built their family home and raised four children, James, Keith, and twins, Jerry and Julia. With John at the helm, this family of six have many fond memories of summer vacations and ski trips together.
In the Navy, John was active in anti-submarine engineering and as a weapons officer. He served with the NATO forces in Europe and managed to be between wars. Commodore John E. Love was promoted to Rear Admiral at the Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region 22, on September 29, 1984, where he was responsible for the training and administration of more than 4,300 Naval Reservists at 18 training sites in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. His last command was Reserve Duty Commander of Naval Surf Pac Forces and, after 38 years of active and reserve duty service, John retired in 1988, and rejoined the family business manufacturing agricultural and forestry equipment.
As president of J.E. Love Company, with plants located in Garfield, Mississippi, and Minnesota, John was very active in the community and surrounding areas, serving on many boards in various capacities. He was President of the Inland Empire World Trade Club from 1980–1981; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Washington State International Trade Fair in 1982; Chairman for Eastern Washington University Foundation from 1982–1984; and Foundation Director of Community Colleges of Spokane from 1982–1991. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Whitman; Board of Directors for Metriguard, Incorporated; Chairman for the Farm Industrial Equipment Institute in Chicago; and a past member of the Garfield School District Board. From 1987–2017, John served as Chairman of the Board for Saturna Capitol and, in 1995, he was elected Commissioner to the Port of Whitman County, retiring in July 2020.
John was easy to talk with, an avid reader, and he loved Native American art. He enjoyed working with his hands, the outdoors, and fishing with all its glory, peace, and wonder. John was raised and involved in church as a devoted Christian following God’s Word in his life. He was the Scoutmaster for Garfield Troop 577, attending the 12th World Jamboree of Scouting at Farragut State Park in 1967, and the 13th World Jamboree of Scouting at Asagiri, Japan, with his scouts in 1971. In February 1979, John—then Chairman of the Mount Steptoe District—was awarded the Silver Beaver Citation for being involved in scouting for more than 30 years. This coveted award is the highest that the Inland Empire Council of Boy Scouts of America can bestow on a volunteer.
John is survived by his wife, Susan; three sons, James, Keith, and Jerry; daughter, Julia; daughter-in-laws, Laura Love and Kim Love; five grandchildren, Ryan Love, Patrick Love, Brendan Love, Mandi Love-Keen, Jacob Love, and Kevin Love; 10 great-grandchildren; and aunts, uncles, cousins, many nieces and nephews, and countless dear friends. John is preceded in death by his adoptive parents, James and Stella Love, and his sister, Thelma Woolford.
John’s celebration of life and memorial will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., at Garfield Middle and Elementary School, 810 N. 3rd, Garfield, Washington 99130.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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