John Pilkington

SURPRISE - John Pilkington, wonderful father and faithful friend, passed away peacefully Sept. 24, 2016 in Surprise. John was born in Sept. 9, 1925 in Galva, Kan. As a young man, he served as a paratrooper and foot soldier in Germany during the Second World War. He did not talk much about his service, but we know that he took part in the Battle of the Bulge and that he had the nerve-racking job of jumping from a plane and parachuting into small villages to clean out the snipers before the rest of the infantry came in. After the army, John settled back in Kansas. He went to work for Continental Airlines, went to college, got his pilot's license, married Bobbie, and became a father. He and his two partners spent 30 years building a successful manufacturers' representative business. He was always a hard worker. He was at the office early and he stayed late. He took very few holidays. But, as hard as he worked, he always had time to joke and laugh with friends and family. After retiring, he settled in Sun City West where he lived more than 20 years of "the good life." He enjoyed tennis, men's golf days, and early morning breakfasts with friends. He had a easy-going nature, he loved to joke and laugh. He was a good and loyal friend and a kind and loving father. John is survived by his daughter, Cyndi (Scott); and four grandsons. We know that he is in heaven enjoying two of the things he loved best: his cocktail hour manhattan and listening to Frank Sinatra. On behalf of John, his family would like to thank the owners and staff of Golden Autumn Care Home in Surprise for the kind and respectful care they gave him over the last two and a half years of his life. John's life will be honored at a casual service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West.