September 02, 1931 - March 03, 2010

Versatile, patriotic John will be remembered with a smile

John Patzold was a dreamer, a visionary, a traveler—and a great husband, father, and grandfather.

John was proud to serve in he air force in his early twenties, and thrived working for the government in his thirties while living in Livermore, CA. He went on to work as a printer, a job core executive, writer, off-Broadway director, and entrepreneur.

In the late 1970s his life got even better when he married his childhood sweetheart Patricia Van Patten and went to work for the City of Everett, where he was a parks director and assisted the mayor.

He will always be remembered for founding the Freedom Foundation and being a key player in bringing the Navy to Everett. Thus he was called “Mr. 4th of July.” He received Number 55 Heart Transplant from the UW and was also known as “the man with a heart.” He called his new heart his lucky “double nickel.”

He spent the next 20 years loving his family, enjoying his best friend Niles, and just being the patriotic inspirational man that he was. He and Patricia lived in Long Beach, WA the last 12 years, where he was a huge part of the Loyalty Days Foundation, building many floats for the 4th of July parades.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; his children Greg Patzold, Kim Meulink, Don Krischano, Cheryl Goshorn and husband Brad, and Tammy Eubanks and husband Ray; along with grandkids Michael Ross and wife Lacey; Kristina Rupe and husband Doug; Krystal, Nathan, Holly, Hannah, Skyler, Stepannie, Nick, Luke, Breane, KayLynn, Sara; and great grandkids Nicodemus, Alexcia, and Tristan. John was a great man and we will miss him every day but will always smile when we think of him!!

Memorial

Words for John

A life is like a song we write in our own tone and key
Each life we touch reflects a note that forms the melody
We choose the theme and chords of the song to bear our name
and each will have a special sound
No two can be the same
So when someone we love departs
In memory we find
Their song plays on within the hearts
of those they left behind.

We love you, John!