John Edward Disney

John Edward Disney was born September 23, 1941 in Aberdeen Washington. He was born to Marian Ruth Holmes and Leslie Julian Disney. He was the oldest of three children. His sister Judy was born in 1943 and his younger brother Jim was born in 1945 and passed in 1992. He moved from Raymond Washington when he was young to a home on Boylston Avenue in Seattle. He then moved to Tacoma Washington where he attended Franklin Elementary School, Jason Lee Junior High and attended Stadium High School. He graduated in 1960. He loved Stadium High School. He attended college at Washington State University and Central Washington State College (now known as CWU). He started working at Nalley’s when he was young and retired in 2004 with 35 years of service. In 1965 while John was married to Jean McCall, Kristina was born. On February 12, 1971 John and Kathie were married in Tacoma Washington. In 1975 John joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. John and Kathie were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple April of 1977. They raised five children: Jason, Chad, Travis, Stephanee, and Marcus. He has 14 grandchildren that he loved beyond measure: Andrew, Katie, Rylee, Mason, Hannah, JoDee, Bryton, Bailee, Kendal, Jordan, Kaylee, Karsten, Kyler, and London. John was active in the American Rhododendron Society when he was younger and still to this day he is very experienced with plants and is willing to share his knowledge with others. He named a species of rhododendron after his wife, Kathie Jo. He spent many years coaching his children in multiple sports, where he had a positive influence on many kids that he coached. He spent many years as a team host for the WIAA high school basketball playoffs. He played slow pitch until he was 51 years old. He also enjoyed coaching and participating in church sports. John’s love of scouting started at the young age of 8 when he joined Cub Scouts in 1949. His dad was his Scoutmaster and he always talked about the trips that they took. John has been involved in Scouting for more than 60 years, from the time he joined as a Cub Scout in 1949 until now. In his youth, he was very active in leadership roles, first as a Cub Scout Denner, next as assistant patrol leader to Senior Patrol Leader in his troop, and then as president of his Explorer Post. He was awarded the Arrow of Light, the Eagle Scout rank, and the Explorer Scout Silver Award. As an adult he was awarded both the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope Awards. John was active in the Order of the Arrow lodge in the Pacific Harbors Council, becoming the first Vigil honor member in the Tahoma Lodge 348. He was one of two youth from the Washington state to be selected to be part of the OA Service Troop at the 1960 National Jamboree. In John’s passing he was vice president of programs for the Pacific Harbors Council. John had a life-long passion for scouting. John’s other passion in life was his family. He loved going on vacation with his kids and grandkids and especially liked trips to Disneyland. He always talked about the many family vacations we took. John had a zest for life and was always volunteering to help others. He had a testimony of eternal families and he will be truly missed. Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 16, 2014 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11212 17th Ave East Tacoma, WA 98445. Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m. with services at 11:00 a.m.