John Secrist
John William Secrist was born July 3, 1951, in Haxtun to Frederick and Margaret Secrist. John died and went home to be with his Lord on Feb. 1, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loved ones after a long battle with his health.
John is survived by his mother Margaret Gibbs (Secrist); his loving wife Kathy Secrist; three children, Heather and Kyle Bolejack, Sonya Secrist and Julie Secrist; nine grandchildren, Alex and Ana Elifrits, Marissa Martinez, Kirsten Secrist, Cameron Secrist, Braylend Whitaker, Charleigh Bolejack, Bailey Dixon, Nevaeh Secrist, Dayveon Secrist and Kevin Bolejack; two sisters, Sharlyn and Richard Brown and Judy and John Antone; brother Freddie Secrist; brothers-in-law Gred Driml and wife Lori and Brad Driml; nephews Matthew and wife Mirana and Ryan Driml.
He was preceded in death by his father Frederick P. Secrist, his sibling Carol Baker, and grandparents Roy and Nellie Harrah and Verna Cheramy.
John served his country for two years in the Army while stationed in Germany. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he began his career with Leon Atkins as a mechanic, and he then carried on his mechanical career in Missouri and Kansas.
He loved working on cars and was very good at it. He then moved back to Brighton where he started his mechanical career for Jackson Ice Cream. He was always training and teaching people the job. He retired from Jackson’s at the age of 62, and they moved back home to be near family in Holyoke.
John and Kathy loved to go camping with family and friends whenever they were able to. John loved fishing and getting away from the “shitty city.” The simplest pleasures in life brought John so much joy. He enjoyed tinkering and fixing up old cars/trucks. He loved spending time with family and friends. John also loved Nascar and watching the race.
John is missed by all of his family and friends but will continue to live on in his loved one’s hearts.
The funeral service was held Feb. 8 at Baucke Funeral Chapel, with interment at Haxtun Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.