On Friday June 11, 2021 John R. Fletcher – “Papa” – passed away peacefully at the age of 95.

John Fletcher was born December 5, 1925 in Hollywood to Dorothy and Arthur Fletcher. He attended Alhambra High School and Cogwell College in San Francisco. He was drafted by the US Army and served in Germany during World War ll. In 1948 he moved to Eureka to take a job as an engineer with the California Dept of Highways (CALTRANS). Working north of Eureka, he met the love of his life while staying at Klamath Glen, Shirley Scott. They married in 1951 and had three daughters (Deborah, Linda and Ann). Following the death of his beloved in 1984 and retirement from CALTRANS in 1985 he traveled, volunteered with the Senior Resource Center and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. In 1990 he married Velna Polizzi and moved to Ferndale, then Florence, Oregon and Walnut Creek, enjoying an active social life. After Velna’s death in 2015 he returned to Eureka to live with his daughter Deborah. He spent his days walking at the Sequoia Park Garden, visiting Chester the cat at the Zoo, listening to his books and cheering on the San Francisco Giants.

Papa was a quiet intellectual with a quick wit and sense of humor. He was generous and thoughtful, loved reading and walking outdoors.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brother James, wives Shirley and Velna.

Papa is survived by his daughters Deborah Chaffee, Linda (Terry) Fristoe and Ann Blackwood, grandchildren Jonathan Blackwood, Shanna (Jerry) Olofsson, Christina Blackwood, Holly (James) Ohrt, Breanna (Brandon) Burras, great grandchildren Leslie & Xander Ohrt, Patrick-Ross McNally, Aria, Elias & Noah Olofsson and Ray Burras. He is also survived by other beloved family members, Alma, Mark and Austri Fletcher, Marci Chaffee and Lenore and Charles Rose.

Papa was much loved and will be truly missed.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of John Fletcher’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.