John Edgar Walstrom's Obituary
John E. Walstrom(1934 – 2013)Walstrom, John E. LAKESIDE — John E. Walstrom, born on July 7, 1934 in Lebanon, Missouri, left us on February 26, 2013 after a brief illness.Like many families during the Great Depression, he left the Midwest for California, where the family eventually settled in Fresno. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and in 1952 enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving honorably during the Korean War. It was on leave that he met Jane Haggard in Oakland, California and they were married on November 20, 1954. John began his 31-year career with the California State Department of Parks and Recreation in 1957. His first assignment was at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park in August 1957. Throughout his life, John was devoted to protecting the great outdoors he loved and he quickly advanced to serve throughout the state, including assignments at Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino, Lake Elsinore State Recreation Area, and Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego, where he was the first Park Ranger. John was reassigned to Cuyamaca State Park, and then to the Sierra District at Squaw Valley; and to Fort Humboldt State Park, District Headquarters in Eureka, CA. and finally back to San Diego where from 1976 to 1988 he served first as the Assistant District Manager and finally as the Regional Technical Services Manager. John continued to enjoy the great outdoors throughout his life.He was an avid fisherman and birder and together with Jane raised dogs for Canine Companions for Independence. John is survived by Jane Walstrom, his wife of 58 years, of Lakeside, California; his daughter Mary Katherine Long, her husband Darrell Long, and his grandsons William and John Long all of Soquel, California; his brothers Robert Walstrom of New Mexico and Dave Walstrom of Wyoming. Interment was held on April 13, 2013 at the Clovis Cemetery, Clovis, California. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013 at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, where he devoted many hours helping others, 2119 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92019.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center or the Anza Borrego Foundation, P.O. Box 2001, Borrego Springs, CA 92004.
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