John K. Sales

DANVILLE - John Keith Sales, 84, of Danville, Vermont, passed away on Aug. 12, 2018. John was a loving and beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle and great-uncle, and friend.
Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1934, he graduated from Syracuse University. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, going through flight training and teaching desert survival, and was honorably discharged as a captain, and then graduated with a PhD in structural geology from the University of Nevada Mackie School of Mines.
John was a respected geologist and teacher. For most of his career, he worked for Mobil Oil in the United States with stints overseas in Norway and England. He also enjoyed field work in sites across the United States and in Svalbard, and had the opportunity to lecture and work at sites in Europe, the Middle East and Indonesia. He was also a professor for 10 years at the State University College of Oneonta in Oneonta, New York.
John saw beauty everywhere, and loved his family and friends, carpentry, fixing houses and building boats, driving back roads, music, reading and writing cowboy stories, photography, learning and teaching about the world around him, and making people around him think, and often laugh, with his keen eye, unique perspective and quiet humor. He loved spending time in the field and on the water.
He met his wife, Suzanne, in college and they shared life, adventures and boisterous family life for 62 years. A creative and innovative master builder and mason, he and Sue renovated old houses together, traveled and camped, all while raising and educating their children, Daniel, Tim, Lauren, Ellen and Robin and helping them raise and educate their grandchildren.
A soft spoken man of few words but many talents, John was generous with his time, knowledge and skills. In his time, he touched many lives directly and indirectly. He will be remembered with great love by family and friends for his enduring gifts.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.