John Vernon Gingerich

John Vernon Gingerich

October 4, 1945 – January 12, 2025

John Vernon Gingerich lived a life of steadfast faith and curiosity, commitment to family, and hard work from his birth on October 4, 1945 to his sudden death of a massive heart attack on January 12, 2025. He was born in Oregon City to Vernon and Dorothy (Lais) Gingerich after brother Ray and followed by Doug, Dorothy, Tom, Charlie, Carolyn, Judy, and Craig. He played hard and worked hard. He helped with whatever work needed to be done on the farm, including picking berries, tending and milking the cows, and moving irrigation pipe. He was involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA) in high school and as a junior flew to Detroit, Michigan to receive an award from the National Junior Vegetable Growers as a winner for the 11 Western States in growing and management of his crop of cucumbers (which he never did learn to like, either fresh or pickled!). He was on the football and wrestling teams and worked on the ditcher for Needy Brick and Tile in the summers. 

John attended Willamette University his freshman year. That year he also made a trip to Kansas City to receive a national FFA award. John transferred to Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana where he received his degree in math education. It was there he met Louise Burkholder and they were married in 1968, the year after he graduated. His first teaching job was at Starr Commonwealth (a school for emotionally disabled and delinquent boys) in Albion, Michigan, fulfilling his service duty as a conscientious objector. After three years there, John and Louise moved to Oregon where he again worked on the ditcher and obtained his Master’s Degree in Math Education at Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University). It was during this time that John and Louise decided to start a family. John taught math at Ackerman Junior High in Canby for the next 30 years, his final 10 years as the Technology Coordinator for the Canby School District. John was known professionally for his integrity and excellent work ethic and was always very well respected. He was in many ways a farmer at heart and loved to garden and to be out in nature. After a mild heart attack in 2011 he became a dedicated walker, clocking almost 4 miles a day. He also became very involved as a volunteer for Drift Creek Camp and the Mennonite Historical Society. 

John knew how to do so many things and with the help of cousins' expertise, he and Louise built a house at the edge of the woods on Miller Road. To make use of some of the land, he set up greenhouses to propagate rhododendrons for a cousin's nursery which provided work and college money for his children. They lived on Miller Road for 44 years before moving to Hope Village in 2021. John was very committed to quality time with family. His children fondly remember him reading them stories, playing games with them, and telling them “When the World Was Young” stories from his childhood memories, with embellishments of course. He was similarly devoted to and adored by his six grandchildren. John was dedicated to growth, learning, and open-mindedness. He was an avid reader on many topics throughout his adult life. His views and values evolved as he allowed himself to be shaped by the people he met, stories he read, and things he learned. John was also known for his quick wit and repetitive sayings, the latter being a trait he carried on from his own father.

John is survived by his wife of 56 years Louise (Burkholder) Gingerich; his children: Jeremy and Jennifer (Eder) Gingerich, Benjamin and Katrina (Gent) Gingerich, Jennifer Gingerich and Paul Boers, Andrew Gingerich and Mary Leichty, and Clemens Jaros (German exchange son); his grandchildren Harrison and Kyra Krall, Emma, Megan, Connor, Eli, and Olive; five brothers, three sisters, Urszula Balenkowski, and so many cousins, (great)nieces, and (great)nephews. We already miss him fiercely. Memorial donations may be made to Drift Creek Camp.