John Mefford

Jack Mefford, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. He had been valiantly battling Alzheimer's for a number of years. Jack was born in Galeton, Colorado on May 6, 1929, and raised in Denver by his maternal grandmother, Matilda Gohlmann. A Korean War veteran, Jack served in the United States Navy for nine years, spending much of that time in the Pacific region. He met his beloved wife of 65 years, Pauline McKee, on July 4, 1951, and married her on New Year's Eve of the same year. Jack worked as a contract administrator for 38 years in the aerospace industry with the same company before retiring in 1994. In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf, attending ASU football games, traveling and spending time on the beach with his wife, children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ione Mefford, brother Raymond Mefford, and son, Richard Alan Mefford. Survivors include his wife, Pauline; daughter, Gail Rymer, and son-in-law, Andy Rymer, of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren Danny Ward (Alison), of Kingston, Tenn.; Kelli Krise (Ron, Jr.) of Knoxville, Tenn.; and three great-grandchildren, Mikko Balcolm (Krise), Kaden Krise and Elizabeth Ward. Funeral Service and Burial will be held at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary and Cemetery, 719 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, on Saturday, May 20, 2017. The family will receive friends beginning at 10am, Funeral Service will begin at 11am followed by Burial and Graveside Services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley Gardiner Home or Arizona Alzheimer's Association.