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John Severson
1933 - 2017
John Severson
1933 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1933
DIED
2017
John Severson Obituary
Surfer Magazine announced that Severson died in his sleep Friday, May 26, 2017.
A Southern California native, Severson began surfing at age 13 when his family moved to San Clemente. He was drafted into the Army and assigned to Hawaii. While in Hawaii, he made his first surf movie, which was simply titled “Surf.”
In a video from 2011, Severson said, “I became a beach boy, surfed, got a camera, and started shooting magic movies of us surfing.”
Severson was one of the pioneers of surf movies. His films included “Big Wednesday,” “Surf Safari,” and the 1960 film “Surf Fever.” To promote “Surf Fever,” Severson made a magazine filled with photos and stills from the movie. The magazine proved so popular with the surfing community that Severson decided to create the magazine Surfer.
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He made the popular surfing documentary “Pacific Vibrations” in 1970. The movie featured music from the bands Cream and the Steve Miller Band.
Severson sold Surfer Magazine in 1972. He moved with his wife and two daughters to Maui, where he pursued photography and painting. Severson’s surf paintings are very popular. He also designed hundreds of prints for Kahala's Artist Series Hawaiian shirts.
“Before John Severson, there was no ‘surf media,’ no ‘surf industry’ and no ‘surf culture’ — at least not in the way we understand it today,” Surfer editor Sam George wrote in 1999.
Severson wrote an introduction in the first issue of Surfer. “In this crowded world, the surfer can still seek and find the perfect day, the perfect wave, and be alone with the surf and his thoughts.”
49 Entries
June 26, 2018
Knew John during his time at Chico State college and his first wife, Beverly Sullaway, was a roommate! Sorry to hear of his passing.
Maxine [Nunes] Lucas Cupertino,Ca.
Mark MacGowan
March 2, 2018
.....Dearest John....We are so sorry to lose you..
But lose you, we won't !!!...You sir brought, so
much joy to surfer's all over the world...I
was a blessed, California surfer...( 1961-1972)...
Best years of my life, much of that, stareing at
your surfing posters on my wall...You scared
the hell out of every surfer, with, "THE ULTIMATE
JOURNEY" !!!...I would run, to see if my *newest
copy of: "SURFER MAGAZINE"arrived yet !!!...
Everything you broughf in surfing for me...
THAT WAIMEA SHORE BREAK, STILL HAUNT'S ME..
WHAT A CURL !!!...YOU *SIR ARE SO SPECIAL !!!..
MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE BIGGEST WAVE IN
HEAVEN !!!...BECAUSE, WE KNOW YOU WILL RIDE,
IT IN TRUE: "SURFER STYLE !!!...*CATCH ONE,
FOR US, JOHN SEVERSON....With love, forever...
Mark MacGowan....2018....
J
February 8, 2018
I worked at a golf course in Maui that "Seve" often played at. Everyone liked and respected him. I think very few people knew who he really was or what he had accomplished in his working life. I have a Hawaiian shirt that he designed and some artwork that his brother did. He had a quiet confidence! A humble guy and a nice guy; very gracious. Friends talked about his accomplishments and art but he never did? Happy that I got to meet him. Sorry to read about his passing. "Seve" was one of the easiest guys to get along with. I never saw him have a problem or problems with anyone. He seemed to be on "Maui Aloha cruise control" all of the time. He stood out as a person to me; long before I realized what he had achieved in his life. My thoughts and prayers to his family. Thanks "Seve" one of the nicest people I ever met!!! B
Michael Jacobsen
December 13, 2017
I remember his magazines. They were awesome
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John Marshall Small
September 9, 2017
I grew up in St. John's Portland ore in 64 went surfing at seaside Oregon I still have my roller derby slake board in erode on the sidewalk in seaside too every kool guy in my neighbor hood had a picture of a wave from magazine and a playboy bunny on his wall. Thanks John and he'd
Ginger Vogler
June 2, 2017
As a teen I grew up N Shore 60's and his work helped define my world. I had one of his first black & white magazines I treasured so much ... a boyfriend later refused to return it in the 70's and you would have thought my cat had died! Many blessings to his entire family from Kona!
Katy Severson
June 1, 2017
RIP Uncle John. My thoughts are with the Severson Ohana.
June 1, 2017
May the words written in the bible for our comfort strengthen your saddened heart during this emotional time (Matthew 5:4 NWT)
Jon karcey
June 1, 2017
You are loved John.
Cameron Todd Fisher
May 31, 2017
I , Remembered My Great Grandmother Gave Me 1 Of His Magazines When I Finished Up My Sophomore Year Of High School ........ John , May God Bless Ya Little Brother ....... Joshua 11:14
May 31, 2017
I lived in Corona del Mar and remember John bringing his surf movies to the arcade in Newport Beach while I was in high school in 1958 - 1960. He was so handsome and talented. My condolences go out to his family and friends. I just lost my husband a few weeks ago so I completely understand your sorrow.
May 31, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones.
Betty Armour-Fowler
May 31, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to the family of John Severson. Psalms 90:10 shows how he lived a long life of special mightiness from God. Keep his many, many memories close in your hearts and minds and cherish them forever. May the comfort of God be with you all during this time of grief.
Cheryl
May 31, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with the family during this difficult time.
Kimberly Johnson
May 31, 2017
CCC
May 31, 2017
With deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May it comfort you to know that John will return to the days of his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25.
May 31, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Carlotta
May 30, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Severson family and friends at this difficult time.
May 30, 2017
To the family and friends please accept my condolences know that the God of all comfort feel your pain and sorrow.Isaiah 61:1,2 reads He sent me (Jesus Christ) to bind up the broken hearted and to comfort all who mourn.
Lee Markle
May 30, 2017
Started surfing in 1961 at the age ofor 14. John Severson's movies were a big part of the impetus that got me surfing. Thanks for the memories
Angela Hardy
May 30, 2017
We do ask his blessing of the ressurection be with those who have passed and pray for the family to receive comfort.
John 5:29.
G. Freeman
May 30, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Harry Simpson
May 30, 2017
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest John, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Rick Divel
May 30, 2017
Louise, Condolences to you and the family. So many good times at the SC Muni and El Niguel.
May 30, 2017
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
George Nikitin
May 30, 2017
I send my deepest condolences to John's family. Such a wonderful, gentle and talented man. He will always be with you and with me as his paintings hang throughout my home. He has given the surfing life so much. My thoughts and prayers to John's family and relatives. RIP John and as you always wrote me, Aloha.
May 30, 2017
Truly saddened to hear about John Severson's passing. His fine legacy will surely be remembered. I hope to meet him in Paradise! (Luke23:43)
O.R . Cleveland
May 29, 2017
My Condolences to the family.
Dino Cordova
May 29, 2017
John, thanks for sharing a small part of your life with me, it was truly something special. Running with the Bull at your home in Olinda turned out to be quite funny but was so scary bro!!! I will always love your passion for surf, the times at the Bay will stand out FOREVER. Love you and your family Dino P.S. thanks for the great photo
May 29, 2017
My prayers goes out to the Severson family. May your memories bring joy to your hearts and may our Heavenly Father comfort you and your family at this most difficult time.
May 29, 2017
For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus."- 1 Thess 4:14. May the God of loyal love comfort you during your time of sorrow.
~Slb~
Yvonne Lowery
May 29, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss and may your cherish memories you have made with John always being a smile on your face with the memories he left with you.
Lindsay
May 29, 2017
I am deeply sorry for your families great loss. May you find comfort and peace through the power of prayer. Phillipians 4:6,7
Valenda Newell
May 29, 2017
Thanks, for all the beauty one captured in the search for the perfect wave through movies and photography, nothing more soothing than looking out to the ocean and viewing its magnificence......PRAYERS and BLESSINGS to all family members
AC
May 29, 2017
May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times you shared together as you celebrate a life well lived and loved by many. Psalms 90:10.
Gloria Hicks
May 29, 2017
When someone we love becomes a memory; that memory becomes a TREASURE. Keep cherished thoughts of special times of your beloved one close at heart and may Gods words and his loyal love comfort you through this most difficult time - Psalms 119:50,76.
Lynn
May 29, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. Draw close to the God of all comfort during this difficult time.
Adrian Barnette
May 29, 2017
We'll miss you !
May 29, 2017
Condolences to the Severson loved ones.
Scott Chamberland
May 29, 2017
Rest in Peace
Linda
May 29, 2017
Though death can steal your loved one, it can never steal your love, it lives in your hearts, and it lives in your memories. May you hold fast those memories and they will help you to deal with this great loss. Life is so short and those we love are gone from our lives too quickly. May the God of loyal love comfort you during your time of sorrow. My sincere condolences on your loss.
May 28, 2017
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Adrian Barnette
May 28, 2017
We'll miss you !
May 28, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
May 28, 2017
Severson family, I'm deeply sorry for your loss of your dearly loved one John. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this most difficult time in your family's. May the God of all comfort, comfort your family.
Bob Jenson
May 28, 2017
RIP John, Ride the next Wave.
May 28, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Please take comfort from these words at Reveltion 21:3,4.
May 28, 2017
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of severson.I have never met him but from what I red I can see that he has lived a very interesting life may his memories continue to be a source of comfort during this time of grief. Texas
Betty
May 28, 2017
Offering condolences for your loss. May your fondest memories, loving support of family and friends, and the wonderful provision God made by means of His loving kindness (John 3:16) help to strengthen and console your hearts during difficult times.
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