John Paul Gernhardt

March 17, 1927 - March 24, 2016

John Paul Gernhardt 3/17/1927 – 3/24/2016. John P. Gernhardt, 89, passed away on March 24 from natural causes in Tualatin surrounded by family and friends. He was born March 17, 1927 in Hettinger, North Dakota, then moved with his family to Williston, ND, Dickenson, ND, Nyssa, OR, and finally to LaGrande, OR where he attended Eastern Oregon College. It was there that he met the girl of his dreams, Dorothy Ann Worden. He married Dorothy on his 23rd birthday, March 17, 1950. Very clever to get married on St. Patrick’s Day and your birthday…it made it pretty hard to not remember one’s anniversary! He and Dorothy were married by his father, Rev. Henry J. Gernhardt, a Methodist minister. John earned his BS in Elementary Education and then his MS in School Administration. A move to Portland began his teaching career. John taught in the Portland Public School system for the next 33 years. He first taught 8th grade and later became Vice Principal at Jackson H.S; Grant H.S. and Marshall H.S. He loved his students and would do whatever it took to make them successful. Prior to getting his education taken care of, John joined the Navy and Naval Reserves (3/1945 – 7/1946) and received an honorable discharge. He served on the USS Sigsbee (DD-502), a Destroyer that had been hit by Kamikaze pilots, which was being towed in for repair. John retired in January 1985…sort of. For the next 30 years, John and Dorothy invested in a series of vacation homes in the fun places of Lincoln City, Mt. Hood, Salishan, Sun River, and LaQuinta, near Palm Springs, which they fixed up and remodeled. They loved to have their friends join them and then John and Dorothy would put them to work. They were “flipping” houses before the real estate market coined the word “flipping.” John and Dorothy loved to share activities and projects with each other. They were the epitome of wedded bliss, cooking gourmet meals, pulling weeds, and washing their “RED” cars together. Their lifestyle was happy and active and included skiing, golfing, and vacationing with friends. They were always up for a good party. No matter what they were doing, it was a good time! John also loved woodworking of all kinds. He had a beautiful singing voice and an eye for design. John is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 66 years, seven nieces, and two nephews. His last years were spent at Spring Ridge Court assisted living facility. We thank them for the wonderful care and attention they provided John. His final resting place will be at Willamette National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.at Spring Ridge Court, 32100 SW French Prairie Road, Wilsonville, (Charbonneau) OR. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the American Cancer Society.