December 05, 1939 - November 24, 2018
God saw John was getting tired, a cure not meant to be, so he put his arms around him and whispered, “Come with me.” John passed peacefully from this life into the next on November 24, 2018. John was born in Spokane on December 5, 1939, to Ida Mae Jones and was adopted by Ralph and Thelma Pfeffer. He attended nine grade schools in four states as his Dad bought and worked gold mines. At thirteen John’s beloved Mother died and his Dad died within the year. He was raised by relatives in Seattle. John played the piano and the accordion. He attended Shoreline High School, had a band and enjoyed playing for school dances and functions. In 1958 he married Sandra Howisey and in 1963 they, with their daughter Tawny, moved to Phoenix, AZ. John attended Phoenix College and Arizona State University. He worked on Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign. He was employed by the Metropolitan Police and was the Chief of Security for The Executive Towers for 30 years. Sandra died in 1994. In 1995 John was reunited with his biological mother, Ida Mae, in Spokane. They developed a loving relationship. This visit also reunited him with his childhood soulmate and best friend, Sally Anderson. Their story started as infants and lasted until 1956 when they went their separate ways. In 1995 they renewed their friendship; John moved to Spokane in 1996; and they were married in 1997. They enjoyed traveling. John enjoyed visiting the homes and many schools he had attended. He liked watching movies, loved music and writing. He was a soft spoken, kind, gentle man. John is survived by his wife Sally; daughter Tawny Walser; grandson Donald; granddaughter Miranda Pfeffer (and her children, Serena and Josiah) all of Phoenix; step-children Debbie (Ray) Lee, Wendy Keiser, Spokane, John (Liz) Muirhead, Philadelphia; six step-grandchildren and four step-great granddaughters; large extended family; Betty Anderson; Janice Baker; and step-foster son Glenn Toptine. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Thelma; his biological mother Ida Mae (Jones) Weldirt; wife Sandra Pfeffer; step-daughter Becky Muirhead; father-in-law Ray Anderson; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. At John’s request there will not be a memorial service. In lieu of flowers please donate to Hospice House South for the dignity and outstanding care John received.
