John Crisler Mortensen

Mortensen, John Crisler
John was born on September 5, 1936 in the Santa Monica Hospital which his grandfather, William S. Mortensen, Co-founded. He died at his Westwood home on December 14, 2003. A descendant of a prominent Santa Monica family- a third generation Californian, John was born to Helen Jincks Mortensen and William Leigh Mortensen. A graduate of Santa Monica High School; attended Pomona College and graduated from the University of Southern California. He married Barbara Sawyer and they had three children, Michael, Stephanie and Karen. John worked with his older brother "Bill" at First Federal Savings and Loan of Santa Monica (co-founded by his grandfather, Wm. S. Mortensen) from the late 50's through the early 80's. He served as Vice-President and his brother as President. John was well known throughout the business and civic community in Santa Monica. In the early 80's he went to work with his life-long best friend, "Jack" Douglas, at the Jon Douglas Co. (Beverly Hills) as Executive Vice President. He married Patricia Findlater in 1986. They lived in Brentwood and enjoyed their marriage to the fullest. John will be remembered for his keen intelligence, active listening and fair, balanced and wise responses, his integrity, wit and love of fun, his genuine kindness of spirit and his consummate individuality. He thrived on intellectual pursuits and was a gifted conversationalist. But his greatest pleasures came from his family and friends. He was a deeply appreciative gentle man. He is survived by his three children and grandchildren: Michael (Kelly), Amanda and Megan; Stephanie Jonsson (Matthew) Haley and Griffin; Karen Albi (John) Lauren and John; and his beloved "Patty". He also leaves his brother, Wm. S. Mortensen II, and his family of Pacific Palisades and his sister, Marilyn Magor, of Newport Beach and her family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. A celebration of his life will be held for family and close friends at a later date.