JOHN LOEHR

JOHN LOEHR
September 20, 1941 -
September 27, 2025
John George Loehr, also known as Jack, passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 84, at his home in Corrales, New Mexico.
He was born in New York City on September 20, 1941, and spent his childhood in Yonkers, NY, before moving to Farmington, NM, at age 12.
He is predeceased by his parents, John Francis Loehr and Gertrude Alma Sweetman Loehr Thomas; step-parents Nell Bates and William Francis Thomas; brother, New York Supreme Court Justice Gerald Edward Loehr; uncle George Morgan Sweetman; aunt Mary Jane Sweetman Ryan; and wife, Sally Christine Margaret Martin.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Margaret "Meg" Evans Keen of Corrales, NM; children: Lee Anna of Corrales, NM; Joseph (Kellie) of Leander, TX; Edward (Jane) of Boulder, CO; Sarah Weaver of Farmington, NM; and Rita Kemm Baca of Rio Communities, NM. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren (Lucy, Gabriel, Jessie, Emilie, Abigail, Olivia, Jonathan, Ellen, Josh, Sadie, Wyatt, Dylan, Destiny, Sharla, and Beth), and 2 great-grandchildren (Weston and Adonis).
Other survivors include his sisters Cynthia of Bozeman, MT, and Deborah of Farmington, NM; nephew Nicholas; and former wives Delores "Dee" Duboise of Farmington, and Jennifer Pruett of Albuquerque, NM.
John remained close to his extended New York family throughout his life. He is survived by his sister-in-law Susan Del Guidice Newman Loehr, former sister-in-law Jean Marie Gartner, aunt Marthalee Sweetman, cousins Patricia Barnard and Jo Ann Hill, nephews Peter Loehr (Tina Shi), Gerald Loehr Jr. (Whitney), and Jonathan Newman (Michelle), nieces Janine Barbanell, Melissa Loehr, and Cariana (Tim) Bulman, and many great-nephews and great-nieces.
John graduated from Farmington High School in 1959, where he played varsity baseball and football. He earned his B.A. in Sociology at New Mexico Highlands University in 1964.
John built a career in education and business management, taking him across the U.S. and abroad. Some of his notable accomplishments include work at the Westinghouse Behavioral Research Lab; co-founding Independent Learning School in San Rafael, CA; serving as the first Superintendent of Education at Alamo Navajo School in NM; and starting his business consulting career at Proudfoot, which led to founding JLoehr Associates. His clients included British Airways and the London Underground.
After retiring, John remained active in education and public service. He served as a Trustee of the United World College of the American West in NM, had three appointments as Regent of his alma mater, and served on both the State of New Mexico Commission on Higher Education and the State Board of Finance.
He was an adventurer-extraordinaire, having rafted the Yukon from source to mouth in 1963, along with many tamer rivers throughout his life. Known for his sharp mind, wit, and humor, he maintained friendships across decades, continents, and oceans.
John was an avid reader, with a deep knowledge of history and politics. He had a beautiful tenor voice and treasured his years singing with the New Mexico Highlands University choirs. He loved all things boat, plane, train, automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, and baseball. A licensed pilot, he also raced cars and motorcycles, refurbished old vehicles, and took great joy in high-altitude cycling for over 30 years-until an evacuation injury in 2022 sidelined his rides.
A Memorial Gathering for family and friends will be held at the family home in Corrales, NM, on November 8.
Please contact loehr.jla@gmail.com if you would like to attend.