John O. Hull

1919 - 2018

John O. Hull

Salem - John O. Hull, born March 7, 1919 in Vallejo, CA, passed away at the age of 99 in Salem, OR on May 7, 2018. He attended Stanford University, graduating in June 1941 with an Engineering degree. After college he enlisted in the Navy, attending flight school in Corpus Christi, TX and volunteered to become a Marine pilot. From October -November, 1942, he flew a dive bomber from Henderson Field in Guadalcanal, becoming part of the "Cactus Air Force." He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a direct hit on a Japanese battleship.

John began construction engineering after the war, eventually becoming a project manager on high rise buildings in Oakland, San Francisco and Honolulu. Later in his career he switched to Owners Representative for large commercial developments in Washington, D.C., Anaheim and Palm Desert, CA. He retired at age 70, living in Waldport, Lake Oswego and finally Salem.

John married Natoma (Toni) Hull in February, 1942. Referring to her as his "sweetie," they were inseparable until her passing on November 14, 2015. He is survived by daughters Teri and Sue, son Jeff, 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, skiing (until age 80), Stanford football and the San Francisco 49ers.