John Edwin Reckard

In Loving Memory of John E. Reckard

A Life Well Lived, a Fight Well Fought, and a Legacy of Love and Laughter

John Edwin Reckard, 78, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with multiple health challenges, particularly over the past four years. Through it all, John demonstrated extraordinary strength, determination, and resilience. He fought harder and longer than anyone could have imagined, but after a lifetime of giving his all, it was finally time for his body to rest. Surrounded by the love and comfort of his family, he spent his final days at home in hospice care, allowing him to rest peacefully after so many years of fighting.

John was preceded in death by his parents and sister. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Jan, of 55 years and his daughter, Michelle, who will forever cherish the memories, laughter, and unconditional love he brought into their lives.

To know John was to know a man of remarkable intelligence, endless curiosity, a wonderfully mischievous (and occasionally inappropriate) sense of humor, and an unwavering devotion to his family. He was an engineer at heart, a collector of tools and books, a meticulous planner, and a man who could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and leave with a new friend. He approached life with ingenuity, enthusiasm, and the firm belief that almost anything could be fixed with the right tool—or perhaps a tool he hadn't purchased yet.

John's greatest adventure was undoubtedly his 55-year marriage to the love of his life, although their courtship had a somewhat unconventional beginning. After initially asking out her sister, Marty, and being turned down, he wisely redirected his attention to the woman who would become his lifelong partner. It turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made.

Their marriage was filled with love, laughter, adventure, and the occasional test of patience. John was a man of classic wisdom and bold declarations, including his memorable observation, "Married men live longer… but they're more willing to die." After 55 years of marriage, he felt he'd earned the right to offer such insights.

He also firmly believed, "It's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission," a philosophy he put into practice early in their marriage by purchasing a car without consulting his new bride. Fortunately, both John and the marriage survived.

Together, they shared a love of travel, exploring the country in their RV. Their adventures took them through Alaska, Canada, throughout the continental US, along with destinations outside the US including Australia, New Zealand and England. They also made frequent trips to Minnesota to visit their daughter, who had wisely escaped the Florida heat in favor of Minnesota's more agreeable climate. For John, every journey was an opportunity to explore, discover, and, naturally, plan every detail with military precision.

Their marriage also survived the construction of not one, but two garages—an accomplishment that anyone who has undertaken a major home improvement project with a spouse will recognize as a true testament to the strength of their relationship.

But perhaps the sweetest reflection of their marriage was found in the quiet moments at home. John had a favorite resting place, affectionately christened "Cooterville," where he could curl up beside his wife and find his own little piece of paradise. It was his personal sanctuary, a place of warmth, comfort, and contentment. Behind the playful name was something wonderfully simple: after more than five decades together, his favorite place in the world was still right beside his wife.

John's sense of adventure was matched only by his apparent disregard for gravity. Over the years, he fell off a roof in Florida and took an unforgettable tumble down a hill in West Virginia while chasing a runaway lawn mower. Somehow, he emerged from these adventures relatively unscathed, leaving his family with stories they would retell for years. He had a remarkable ability to turn life's mishaps into cherished family memories.

As a father, John was loving, supportive, protective, and endlessly entertaining. He never yelled when his daughter crashed his Corvette, and he made even the simplest childhood outings memorable, including trips to the Paper Pad to pick out stickers. His fatherly advice was equally unforgettable. When warning his daughter about the dangers of premarital sex, he offered this terrifying piece of wisdom: "You'll stick together like Velcro and have to go to the hospital to get pulled apart."

Of course, his protective instincts occasionally took unconventional forms. He once enlisted his police officer friend, Bob, to stage a traffic stop while his daughter was on her way to the beach with her then-boyfriend, just to question her about her love life. He also took a particularly keen interest in investigating Tim, who became his daughter’s longtime partner. Thankfully, Tim passed inspection.

Even as his daughter grew into adulthood, John never stopped looking out for her. Whether offering advice, lending a hand, or insisting on personally installing something in her home because he wanted to be certain it was safely anchored to the ceiling, his motivation was always the same: he wanted her to be happy, safe, and cared for. Engineering meets parental concern at its finest. Some of those stories are best saved for family gatherings, where they will undoubtedly continue to bring laughter for years to come.

John loved being prepared. He owned seemingly every tool imaginable, held on to books as though each contained an irreplaceable piece of knowledge, and proudly displayed a slide rule in his office—a reminder of an era when engineering required both precision and a sharp mind. His ability to solve problems was rivaled only by his ability to find humor in them.

Beyond the stories, adventures, and laughter was a man whose greatest accomplishment was the love he gave his family. He showed that love through actions: fixing what was broken, making sure everyone was safe, offering support without judgment, and being there whenever he was needed.

Through the many challenges of his final years, John showed a strength and determination that inspired those who loved him. While saying goodbye is heartbreaking, his family takes comfort in knowing that his long struggle is over and he can finally rest.

There is also comfort in imagining the reunion waiting for him. Six beloved dogs who went before him are surely there to greet him, tails wagging, ready to welcome him home. After so many years of love and companionship, it's a beautiful thought that they are together again.

John's legacy will not be measured by the tools he collected, the projects he completed, or even the extraordinary stories he leaves behind. It will live on in the love and memories of his wife and daughter, the laughter shared whenever his name is mentioned, and the countless ways he made life better for those around him.

He was one of a kind—brilliant, funny, stubborn, resourceful, loving, and unforgettable.

At the family’s request, there will be no public services.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor John's memory are welcome to make a donation to Blood Cancer United or the ASPCA. No gifts or donations are expected; your thoughts, love, and memories of John are more than enough.

Rest easy, Dad. You've fought long enough. You've fixed enough things, planned enough adventures, and given us more love and laughter than we could ever ask for. We hope you're surrounded by six wagging tails, with no more pain, no more struggles, and perhaps a few projects to keep you busy. We love you, and we will miss you more than words can say.