John T. Popich, SR
July 23, 1918 - March 16, 2011
Obituary
John T. POPICH, SR.
Born July 23, 1918, passed away March 16, 2011.
John graduated from West Seattle High School where he was very active in athletics. After graduation, he went to work for the Boeing Co. In 1950 he and his brother Walter founded the Popich Sign Co. During the following years, they acquired Western Sign Co., Flynn Signs and Chris Sign Co. He was President and Operations manager until he retired in 1983. He served as Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #92 during Seattle’s World Fair 1962-1963. John was a member of Rainier Golf & Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors. He and his wife June moved to Sequim, WA and joined the Sunland Golf and Country Club a residential development in 1989 where they lived until moving to Overlake Terrace in 2008.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years June in 2009. Beloved father of Judy Forbes and her husband Dirk, John T. Jr. and his wife Donna and Penny Ruthruff and her husband Curt; grandfather of Danika Welch and her husband Matt, Aaron Forbes, Joshua Popich and his wife Amy and Emily and Jennifer Ruthruff and great-grandfather of Finley and Phoebe Welch, Isaac and Micah Popich and Audrey Forbes.
Memorial services with a reception following starting at 11:00 AM Friday, March 25, 2011 at Bonney Watson-Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 16445 Pacific Highway South SeaTac, WA.
Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com.
There are so many memories, especially while we were growing up, of you and your family. But, I think what I remember most Judy, is when your Dad would take us to the movies in his convertible – with the top down. I’m absolutely positive we were flying, with the wind blowing and messing up our hair, loving every minute of the ride. Of course, when we reached the theater, we immediately ran into the ladies room so we could comb our hair before anyone saw us with messed up hair. How dreadful would that have been?
I will never forget my surprise and graditude toward John and Walt for hiring a woman me as an apprentice sign painter in 1986. Being hired into the Popich Sign Co. is like being adopted if you measured up to their standards. John was a fantastic manager and a leader to look up to and trust. I enjoyed observing the tight knit family connections in all aspects of the making of signs throughout the shop. I remember the signiture smile ear to ear on John’s face when he announced his retirement. Like a good brother, Walt was right there to carry on the Popich family business. God Bless all the Popich families and thanks again for believing in me.
John was one of my very first customers when I went into business for my self. I remember him giving me a lot of encouragement when I was about to throw in the towell. I have remembered him fondly ever since. I want to convey my condolences. The world lost a really good man. He will be missed.
I worked with John for 4 years in the business. He was like a second father to me and gave me tremendous support in the business as well as my family life. John was one of a kind and a pleasure to know and work with, I will be forever grateful for all that he did for me and my family.