John Orlando Bakken

John Orlando Bakken, 83John Orlando Bakken left a legacy behind him when he died June 23 - a legacy of caring, teaching, and believing in people.He was born in Belmont, Mont. Oct. 26, 1925. After graduating from Billings Senior High School, he enlisted in the US Navy at 17. As a field medic attached to the Marines, he saw combat at both Leyte, Philippines and on Okinawa, where he was under enemy fire for 92 consecutive days. Going on to evacuate and care for civilians by setting up medical clinics and treating encephalitis and war wounds on five of the eastern islands, he earned numerous medals for bravery, injuries and skill.Following his discharge and later marriage to Dora Miller in Billings, Mont., March 2, 1951, the two moved to Greeley, Colo., where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial arts, with high honors.He went on teach in Wallace, Idaho, Billings and Edmonds, Wash., always excelling and wanting to do what was best for his students, whom he loved.He was active in numerous professional trade organizations, holding executive positions in several, and spent the last 10 years of his career as program manager for trade and industry, industrial arts and health occupations for Edmonds School District. Mr. Bakken was instrumental in developing a huge array of classes for students, which allowed them to train for specific trades while still in high school - an innovative idea at the time.The couple retired to Sun City West in 1985, where he loved to garden, read, play cards, enjoy the grandchildren, and help others, especially those at Lord of Life Lutheran and Interfaith Community Care.Mr. Bakken is survived by his wife, Dora, his life partner through 57 years of marriage; daughter Terri; grandchildren Casey, Mugsy and Suzy, all of whom loved and miss him deeply.