John Andrew Hjelmstrom

1935 - 2015
John was born on July 18, 1935 in Brockton, Massachusetts, to parents Andrew Frederick William Hjelmstrom and Helen Stone Hjelmstrom. His brothers are Gordon Frederick Hjelmstrom and Robert William Hjelmstrom.
John attended schools all over the world and the US, wherever his father was stationed with the US Army, but he ultimately graduated from John Burroughs High school in the summer of 1953. On September 18,1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Wilson at First Baptist Church in Glendale. The Officiant was Reverend James Whitmore Brougher, who previously, in 1933, had officiated at the marriage of Mary Jo's parents, Ben and Dorothy Wilson, and who also later, in 1994, officiated at the marriage of John and Jo's daughter, Karen Haney.
John and Jo have recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. During those 60 years they have welcomed 3 children: John William Hjelmstrom, (Lynda), Dean Allen Hjelmstrom, and Karen Toma Haney (Randy), 5 Grandchildren: Aaron Hjelmstrom, Dawn Hjelmstrom Miller, Tana Hjelmstrom Eacret, Jeremy Hjelmstrom, and Richard Haney, and 6 great grandchildren: Savannah Fletcher, Ashlan Hjelmstrom, Zoey Schnell, Liam Gibson, Kali Eacret, and Kaia Gibson, all of whom survive him.
John was widely respected for his integrity and generosity as the founder and owner/operator of Thrifty Appliance Repair since 1961, whose employees include his 2 sons, his grandson, his son-in-law and, over the years, other family members.
His community activities included membership in Burbank Noon Kiwanis Club and support for Mary Jo's La Providencia Guild (auxiliary for LA Children's Hospital). He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and school PTAs.
Johnny led a full life as an excellent dancer (every lady's choice as a partner), an avid golfer (a hole in one!) and an enthusiastic supporter of all activities related to his children and grandchildren. In his youthful days John and his family enjoyed drag boat racing, waterskiing and camping. He will be greatly missed by many good friends and ALL his family members.
Bon voyage to our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, golf partner, dance partner, and friend.
Services will be held at Forest Lawn's Hollywood Hills Location, on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.
With interment and reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, credited to La Providencia Guild.