John Caruso. He spent his childhood thru high school in the Tacoma area. Before entering
college, the first in his family, John served two years in the United States Navy. He was
stationed in the Seattle, Washington area.
John started his forestry career at Fort Lewis in Washington after graduating from forestry
school with a masters degree from the University of Washington. After a time at Fort Lewis
John accepted a position with the United States Forest Service in Bend, Oregon. This is where
he met his wife of 9 years, Sara Tate. He spent several years working in the piney woods and
then put in for and accepted a position with the Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District.
From there John went to work for the Salem District at the Tillamook Field Office. After working
in Tillamook he moved to the Cascades Field Office in Salem. John held many positions in his
forestry career. He was a layout forester, contract administrator, soil scientist, silviculturist and
helped in cruising and marking for timber sales. John went on wildfires occasionally and helped
out in prescribed fire. John’s work was always done with professionalism, accuracy and a
willingness to help others. He was well liked by his peers.
One of John’s true loves was making wine. John and Greg Kirkpatrick started making wine
approximately 25 years ago. A couple of years later Kevin Teigland joined the team. John loved
picking fruit of various kinds. After the fruit was picked and frozen the three amigos got
together and started the arduous process of wine making. It took several months but in the end
they had, in some cases, over a hundred bottles of wine. The rewards of their labor was wine
distribution to all their friends. When John moved to Salem he planted a small vineyard in his
back yard for wine production. John had just completed most of his fruit picking before he
passed away.
Even though John didn’t have pets he was an animal person. By his own nature pets were
drawn to him. As a result he became a pet sitter for a couple of his friends. His willingness to
help was greatly appreciated because they knew their treasured pets were in good hands.
John was active on the North Santiam Watershed Council since 2003. He was the Marion
County representative. He reviewed the Councils recommendations and gave trusted input
when needed. John recently resigned from the Board but kept up to date on their work.
John was the type of person who was well liked by many people. He made many lasting
friendships with his coworkers and with others from his outside interests. John’s many and
varied friendships were a testament to the person he was and what he meant to them.
John loved his family, helped and supported them all as much as he could, including
supporting their desire for higher education.
John was preceded in death by his parents and son Chris Caruso.
John is survived by his daughter Valerie Caruso-Wilkes, grandchildren Allison and Tyson
Wilkes, niece Kimberlee, great niece Jessica and great-great nephew Kennedy.
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