John H. Eikenberry

John was born in Jackson, Michigan, on March 29th, 1926, to Lloyd Eikenberry and Josephine Stiles (who died when John was 6). John’s step mother was Ruth Vigland.

John is survived by his half sister, Ruth Ann Wrucke, two sons, Eric, and Mark, 9 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren, and predeceased by parents, wife Betty, and son, John (died Feb 16, 1993).

John grew up in Chandler and Wilcox, Arizona, and in 1944, John met Betty while at the Arizona State Teachers College (now ASU). He married Betty when they were both only 18, and they spent 70 years together until her death February 5, 2015.

John enlisted in the United States Navy during WWII, and upon discharge from the service, entered the University of Arizona, receiving a B.A. Degree in Music Education three years later. After teaching high school music for five years, he enrolled at the American Institute for Foreign Trade, commonly referred to as the Thunderbird School, in Glendale, Arizona. After receiving a Bachelor of Foreign Trade Degree in 1953, John was employed by the Rand Corporation. The subsequent three years were spent in Buffalo, N.Y., Mexico City, and Havana, Cuba. Due to the instability of Cuba, John left the corporation and enrolled in the U of A to complete a Master’s Degree in Education Administration.

John retired in 1989.

He led a full life and is probably best known and remembered for his contributions to education: Spanish and music teacher in Eloy and Marana, principal in Marana and Safford, and superintendent in Eloy, Catalina Foothills, and Wilcox.

Although he put his “All” into everything he did, his greatest love was teaching music and his former students routinely thanked him for his dedication and the difference he made in their lives.

A Celebration of John’s life will be held at,

East Lawn Palms Cemetery

5801 E. Grant Rd.

Tucson, Arizona 85712

Monday, April 19, 2021

At Noon

Attend virtually by clicking link below

https://www.facebook.com/EastLawnPalms/

“Grandson, Keenan, imagined that this could be the last love song John wrote for Betty.”

https://keenanjames.bandcamp.com/track/forever-with-you