John Randolph "John" Pahls

My dear, younger cousin, John, was in town in the summer of 2010, and asked me to lunch. While enjoying catching up on our lives, he informed me that he was seeing someone and had asked her to marry him. After telling me all about this new love, John asked if I would be their wedding photographer. Oh, and the wedding would be held in a small village in Cambodia! Of course, I agreed. It was a life-changing experience.

When John and Saren were living in Thailand, Fiona was born and they decided to move to America. While looking for a job, They stayed with my husband, Mike, and I in Cincinnati for part of the summer. How we enjoyed their visit! John and Mike would talk books, life, and world problems while Saren would gab as she prepare delicious meals and I played with Fiona. When they had to leave, we were so sad to see them go.

Last week I was able to come to Taos after John passed to be with Saren, the kiddos and Jeanne and Bob to be with them in this sad time. Mike and I will miss John immensely.

It is hard to believe that John is no longer a phone call away. As a Jesuit Volunteer in Cleveland in the mid 90's I had the pleasure of befriending John, who was then a Marionist Volunteer. After our volunteer year, we both stayed in Cleveland and John even joined Bob and I on a trip or two to Massachusetts, where his warm personality and humor were much beloved by my family and friends here. While he is no longer a phone call or a text away, he remains ever present in our hearts and in our treasured memories of hikes, meals, and trips. He was one of the kindest souls we have ever known.

Much love,

Sheila Cryan and Bob Sutula

Memorial service details:

John's Memorial Service will be on Saturday, October 4 at 11 am at Rivera Funeral Home in Taos.  There will likely be a meal at a local church fellowship hall afterward.


**** Slight change in scheduling:
Two days later on Monday, Oct. 6, there will be a military burial of John's ashes at 11:30 (not 11 am as stated before) at the Veterans Cemetery in Angel Fire, New Mexico.  We are gathering at the Rivera Funeral Home in Taos (818 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571) at 10:30 and the burial procession will leave at around 10:45 am to drive to Angel Fire, NM.

Some folks have asked about contributing toward expenses that Saren and the kids will encounter.  John worked hard to be as sure as possible that his family would be OK if something happened to him, but his last week was riddled with not only pain but worry that Saren and the kids might not be OK in the long run.  Anyone who wishes to remember John in this way can visit this Go Fund Me site that the kids' school created in order to be of support to Saren and the kids:  https://gofund.me/2b74dcbbf

Here is a picture of us all from 1966... John is front and center.

So glad you are pain free now, little brother.
Missing you and wishing you were still here with us.