John T. Pyburn

John T. Pyburn, age 90, of Green Valley, AZ, passed away on April 9, 2024.

John Thomas, the son of James and Goldie (Miller) Pyburn, was born on February 3, 1934, in Austin, MN. John graduated with the class of 1951 from Austin High School. Following high school, he joined the U.S. Navy for four years and traveled the world. While in the Navy, John studied aviation. After completing his four years in the Navy, he started working for Butler Aviation at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, then transferred to San Francisco. In 1974, John went to work at United Airlines and retiring from United in 1994.

In 1979, John was united in marriage to Gretchen Snell in Lake Tahoe, CA. John and Gretchen enjoyed traveling to Hawaii for many years. John always looked forward to traveling back to Minnesota to visit family. John loved golf and he golfed many courses throughout the United States. John was a “Master” and could amazingly fix anything. John was a serene man but always knew the right words to say. Many of his characteristics include and not limited to being kind, honest, fair, pleasant and optimistic.

John will be sadly missed by all that loved him!

He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Pyburn; stepchildren, Jeff Bongers (Ann), and Shân Jasinski; grandchildren, Sam Jasinski (Jenna Wetzel), Jacie Jasinski, and Maci Bongers; son and daughter, Jeff Pyburn and Kim Shadyn and their children; special nephews and nieces, Rick Pyburn (Sue), Kathy Pyburn, and David Pyburn (Cheryl); sister-in-law, Barb Pyburn and family; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob Pyburn, Ken Pyburn, Roger Pyburn, and William “Billy” Pyburn; sister-in-law, Kathleen Pyburn; nephews, Steven Pyburn (spouse, Kathleen), Gary Pyburn, and Randy Pyburn; and niece, Susan Jaroch (Pyburn).

Interment with military honors will be on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 1:45 p.m. at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, assembly area 3.