John F. Harshman

 John F. Harshman, 73, of Emmett, Idaho passed away peacefully at home on March 7, 2023. John was born August 15th, 1949, in Emmett Idaho to Wayne and Phyllis (Jayo) Harshman. He attended his primary years in Emmett then graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1968. John fell in love with Carole Chilcott their senior year of high school and followed her up to the University of Idaho and were later married in 1972. This past summer they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! In 1973, he graduated from the University of Idaho where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education. Go Vandals!

 John then joined the Army and served 22 years traveling the world with his family. John and Carole's first station was Ft. Stewart, Georgia. They welcomed their first child, Sarah, and a few years later, Heather. They then went onto adventures in Alaska, Missouri, Kansas, Washington, Germany and Virginia. In 1994 John moved his family back to Emmett while he served in Red Cloud, South Korea. John retired with honors from the Army in 1996 and returned home to Emmett where he served as the Gem County Recreation Director for 6 years and then went on to work for Swire Coca-Cola for 10 years.

 His girls were the apple of his eye, and he cherished his time teaching them to fish and shoot, watching them play softball and cheer, shopping (or waiting on a bench), taking vacations and cross-country drives. It always included tough love but followed quickly with humor and an I love you and usually followed up by an apology to Mom for our shenanigans. John softened up once he became a Papa. His grandchildren had him wrapped around their fingers. They knew Papa was the one they could go to for cookies and ice cream and never be turned away. He was their #1 fan and the proudest Papa! He enjoyed traveling to Portland to watch his granddaughter, Evyn, play softball in the World Series, building a project in his workshop with grandson, Colson, harvesting a deer with his grandson, Layne, and watching his granddaughter, Averie, graduate and continue on at the University of Idaho. Again, Go Vandals!

 After retirement, John never let the grass grown beneath his feet. He was always on the move working in his wood shop, hunting, driving their RV around the west with friends, serving his community and walking around town with Carole and their Labrador Retriever, Maxwell.

 John was an UNBELIEVEABLE (his favorite word) man and will be greatly missed. He was a devout, lifelong Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Church, and is now resting in the arms of his Savior.

 John was preceded in death by his father, Wayne; mother, Phyllis (and her twin Annis). He is survived by his wife, Carole, of Emmett; daughters, Sarah (Bryan) Morriss, of Portland and Heather (Mason) Dykema of Emmett; grandchildren, Averie & Layne Dykema of Emmett, Evyn & Colson Morriss of Portland; sister, Juanita (Robert) Vroman of Las Vegas and many cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

 The funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emmett on Tuesday, March 14th. The Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. Immediately after there will be a procession to Emmett Cemetery, where he will have a military honors funeral ceremony, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers you can donate to one of John’s favorite charities, P.A.L.S. (animal rescue) or the Emmett Food Bank.

 Share your memories or pictures of John with the family at the following link: 

https://my.gather.app/remember/john-harshman

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