John Valentine Bethune

John Valentine Bethune was born February 14, 1925, In Mountain Grove, Missouri to Roland and Mary Bethune. On Saturday August 18, 2018 John, who was known to most as Jack, went home to begin his new life with our Lord.

Sometime before Jack started school the family moved to Rochester, Washington. It was there that he and his 6 brothers and sister grew up and went to school. Jack finished 8th grade and then left tor Alaska. In Alaska he worked as a telephone operator on an Army base. In 1943 Jack enlisted in the military and became a proud Marine. He was a rifleman and saw action in four different battles. Many of these battles were fought in very difficult terrain and circumstances. Jack lived up to the familiar saying "once a Marine always a Marine."

After serving in the military Jack came home. He met the love of his life and married Verdie Mae Lindsey on June 7, 1947. Verdie was a mere 16 years old, but their marriage was strong. At the time of death Jack and Verdie had been married for 71 years. Jack and Verdie started their married life in Portland, In 1961 they moved to "the farm" in West Union. Jack loved living on the farm. He and Verdie always raised a beautiful garden, had a well groomed filbert orchard, and there were always cows in the pasture. The farm was the gathering place for the family. Many family reunions and family meals happened there. There was always room for one more at the Bethune table.

Jack was a hard worker at home and at work. He worked at Cosby and Overton as a diesel mechanic and a machinist. Many of those skill were self taught. You might say he was a "Jack of all trades."

Jack was proceeded in death by his adopted son Willie Nell Bethune. He is survived by his wife Verdie, three children and their spouses, Thomas Bethune (Dorothy), Cathalene Zach (Leland), Richard Bethune (Cheri), 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren in heaven. He was loved and will be missed by all. Today we way goodbye to a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend until we meet again at Jesus feet. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints. Psalms 116:15

A public graveside service with military honors was held on Friday, August 24, 2018, at 1pm, in Skyline Memorial Gardens, Garden of the Old Rugged Cross, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR.

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