John was born in Alameda, California to parents Olaf and Marie Werenberg Fleischer. When John was two weeks old, his mother passed away and the wish of his mother, he was taken to the home of her sister and husband, Aage and Dorothea Lund, a fruit ranch in Los Gatos, California.
When John was about 10, they moved to San Jose where he became interested in Amateur Radio at a time when boys built their own radio sets. Later he joined the Boy Scouts which led him to Sea Scouting and many happy hours were spent sailing on San Francisco Bay. After graduating from Los Gatos High School in 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, 10 September 1940. Because of his previous radio experience he was sent to the United States Naval Training School of Los Angeles. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Salt Lake City CA 25, a light Cruiser. John's naval career was spent in the South Pacific Theater. He was discharged in 1946.
John attended San Jose State College, majoring in Industrial Arts with an Art Minor. By attending summer school, he graduated in three and a half years. The day after graduating, March 25, 2951, he went to San Francisco for a job interview. It was successful and he went to work for the California State Automobile Association March 29th, a career that was to last 32 years.
While in college, he became a member of Los Gatos Masonic Lodge #299. After retiring in 1983, he became active in the Fraternity and in 1985 he became a member of San Jose Scottish Rite where in 1995 he was Coronated 33', joined Royal Order of Scotland, demitted from Los Gatos George E. Ttutt Lodge #292, affiliated with Carson Valley Lodge #33 in Gardnerville, NV.
John is survived by his wife of 61 years, LaVay; son, Bruce and his wife, Robyn, of St. Helena, California; son, Charles and his wife Adele, of Soquel, California; granddaughter Susan and husband Jeff Cornutt; great-granddaughter Brenda of Oregon; granddaughter Laurie and husband Mark Serpa and great-grandchildren, Kiera, Evelyn and Tristan of California.
A military service will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, July 27, 2012, at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City, Nevada, by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 56, Carson City, Nevada. FitzHenry's Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for arrangements.
