John Paul Locke

We are heartbroken to announce the death of our beloved father, husband, uncle, and brother John Locke. John passed away in his home this week with his wife, daughter, and son by his side as he transitioned into the next part of life. John was born in Oakland, California into the lives of parents Evelyn Yates and John Clifford Locke with great enthusiasm. He grew up alongside siblings Larry, Janet, Mike, and Cliff.

John (or Jack as he was called in his youth) was raised in Loomis, California on a 10-acre farm where he was responsible for his favorite jersey cow, Betsy. He lived and breathed the sport of baseball in his youth. Every day you would find him on the baseball field down the road until the sun went down. He often had to book it home to milk his cow before he got in trouble from his dad, because Betsy sure let everyone know when she wasn't milked. John was an all-star athlete in high school. He proudly ran the torch for Squaw Valley Olympics 1960 with a mile time of 4:50, the fastest in the county.

After high school, John was recruited to the University of Montana to play baseball and earn a degree. He was back and forth between college and working the oil fields with his dad, John C. Locke. Soon after John joined the US Navy and served for three years, stationed in Japan and the Philippines.

After the Navy, John lived in Huntington Beach, California and started working for GTE. He eventually transferred to Beaverton, Oregon where he met his beautiful wife, Halie Salmonsen (Locke). He married and had two children, Shelby and John Clifford (JC), whom he loved and adored. He had a dog named Sugar, whom he might have adored even more. He was a fiercely protective, loving, loyal, smart, and devoted father and husband. He also had a quick wit that kept you on your toes.

John's passions in life included sports, wine, nature, and working with his hands to create and fix whatever was in front of him. He loved a good bargain, and a neighborhood garage sale was never safe with John around. He was a great problem solver, a history buff, and a mathematical wizard. He will be missed dearly by his loved ones and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, John's favorite charity.

A graveside service for John will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 1:15 PM at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Happy Valley, OR 97086.

A memorial service for John will be held Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland, OR 97225 in the Godiva Reception Hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Locke family.