OBITUARY: John W. Kearns
John W. Kearns, 81 of Harrisburg, passed away at his home 3:45 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015.
He is survived in marriage by Betty Lorraine (Sanford) Kearns. They were married in Placerville, Calif., on Feb. 21, 1953, and recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary. He was preceded in death by his parents Lindley Orval Kearns and Lena Mae (Gulley) Kearns of Diamond Springs, Calif., Shirley Worth Sanford and Cleta Jane (Sizemore) Sanford of Jackson, Calif.; his Uncle Herbert Kearns and Aunt Ethel Kearns of Sutter Creek, Calif., Sister-In-Love Katie Louise (Sanford) Pedretti of Jackson, Calif.
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted by Pastor Biff Moore at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the First Christian Church, 20 S. Webster St., Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers the family requests any memorials to be donated to the First Christian Church of Harrisburg. Our hearts have been deeply touched by the loving support from our church, family and friends.
John was born in Stockton, Calif., on Sept. 13, 1933. He graduated from High School in Placerville, Calif., attended American River College in Auburn, Calif., and worked as a logger for the Caldor Lumber Company before serving in the Army as a High Speed Radio Operator in the 21st Infantry Division. After the war he worked for Aerojet General as a draftsman on the development of the Titan rocket engine. He started his own water well drilling business working in the Sierra foothills of California bringing the first air/rotary hard rock drilling rig to the region. After selling the well drilling business he worked at a limestone quarry while continuing his education at the Mackie School of Mines, University of Nevada (Reno) receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering. He later worked for various hard rock mines and mine construction companies. After retiring from Pyro Mining Co. at the age of 62 he built and operated a commercial greenhouse at Raleigh, raising hydroponic tomatoes. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Harrisburg, where he served as a Deacon. His hobbies include building and flying experimental aircraft, rock lapidary work, designing and building almost anything.
He is survived by his brother: James Orval Kearns of Carmichael, Calif.; two sisters-in-love: Pricilla Sue (Sanford) Johnson of West Sacramento, Calif., Jacqueline June (Sanford) Little and her husband Roland Patrick of Redwood City, Calif.; three sons: John Wesley Kearns and his wife Mary Alice of Pioneer, Calif., Scott Alan Kearns and his wife Deborah Ann of Morton, Minn., Jeffrey Craig Kearns and his wife Tammy Kay of Harrisburg; 8 grandchildren: Casey Leroy Kearns and Jennifer Lynn of Pioneer, Calif., Steven Alan Kearns and his wife Chantalle of Marathon, Ontario, Canada, Melisa Ann Kearns of Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada, Jacob Wesley Kearns and his wife Lindsey Rose of Orangevale, Calif., Kayla Ann (Kearns) Brasher and her husband Ryan of Harrisburg, Kristin Renee Kearns and Amber Wade of Nashville, Tenn., Joseph A. Gresch and his wife Shelby of Shakopee, Minn., Jennifer Scholl and her husband Bucky of Alexandria, Minn.; 17 great-grandchildren scattered across various locations in North America: Natasha Marie, Tyler Wesley, Abigail Rose of California; Hunter Douglas, Jolie Michele, Brody Alan, Tanna Helen, Brody David, Ryder James, Steven Kent, Reese Wesley, Wyatt Anthony of Ontario Canada; Samantha Joe, Jacob Henry, Ella Jean of Minnesota; Issac Jordan, Tammeryl Lockie of Illinois. He was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews and close family friends that were dear to him.
Colonial Terrace Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com