John Eugene Whicker, 91, passed away peacefully in his home on December 23, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones. John was born on August 27, 1929 in Eminence, Indiana to Chancey and Flora Mae (Turner) Whicker. He was the youngest of three children.
He went to Eminence Consolidated School for his entire twelve years and was one of nineteen members that graduated on April 18, 1948. John participated in many activities throughout his school years, including Varsity Basketball in high school. One of the most memorable talents John was remembered for, was his ability to sit on the handlebars of his bicycle and ride around town backwards. His classmates were all proud of who he become in his lifetime and fondly remember him as both “naughty and nice” Throughout his lifetime and no matter where he lived, he always did his best to attend the annual alumni banquets and visit with classmates.
On August 9, 1948 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam. During his years in the military he served as Base Sergeant Major. He was stationed all over the world during his 20 years of service, including: Wright-Patterson AFB in Oh; Wheelus AFB in Tripoli; Lockbourne AFB in OH; Hickam AFB in Hawaii, to name a few. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1968 from Grissom AFB, Indiana, with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant E-9.
While home on leave from Tokyo in 1951, he met his future wife, Cora U Clements. They were married on August 18, 1951 and traveled the world together, eventually settling in Mesa, AZ. They were happily married sixty-one years.
While in the military John completed a BS degree in accounting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While stationed at Hickam AFB, he attended the MBA program at the University of Hawaii.
John was a long time member (since 1954) of the Scottish Rite Masons, Eminence Lodge No 440.
In 1968 when he retired from the Air Force, he went back to his hometown of Eminence, Indiana and started a successful real estate business. In 1985 he moved to Mesa, Arizona and owned a real estate business and did FHA and VA appraisals. He was an active licensed member of the Arizona Real Estate Board until he retired on December 31, 2019.
John was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous since April of 1988. In 2004, he established a daily noon meeting in East Mesa, which became known as the Arbor Group. The group has since grown to over 125 members. Until his death, John continued to manage or coordinate many of the group’s functions such as phone lists, anniversaries and annual celebrations. He will be missed by all who attend the meetings.
John lived an honorable life well worth living.
John is survived by his daughter Janeva A. Whicker of Gilbert, AZ; grandson Jackie D. Ferguson Jr. of Tampa, FL; great grandchildren Joseph and Tiffany Lynch of Apache Junction, AZ; and his great-great grandchild Erik Walton of Apache Junction, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his wife Cora U. (Clements) Whicker; parents, Chancey and Flora Mae (Turner) Whicker; brother, Thomas Whicker; sister Rosa May (Whicker) Norris; granddaughter, Angela M. Ferguson.
John’s services are scheduled for 2:00pm on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, where John will be laid to rest.
Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery. 7900 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ. (480) 832-2850.
To attend services virtually, please follow the ZOOM link below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88529051385?pwd=YWRHZFlDM2dlZ1ZtSXVMT2ovcUJzZz09
Meeting ID: 885 2905 1385
Passcode: 877715
Thank you for everything you ever did for me. All the summers we hung out growing up. Thank you for allowing me to take care of as you went to heaven. It was an honor to do anything for you. I love you and will forever be missed Rip uncle john as you always called me ( the baby ) Virginia crowell
I’m sorry for your loss. John was a good friend .I’ll miss him….
Jan your Dad was always so sweet..Always came over to to your office to talk with me. He knew my Aunt Fran well from Columbus. You were blessed to have him so long….RIP John
I am so sorry for the loss of John. He will be missed by many. I will always remember him for his kindness.
Thank you for being a friend and a great landlord you will be missed
Thoughts and prayers from the Eminence Alumni Association.
John was the first dear man who made me feel welcome in Mesa gatherings. He had that very special charm that made you feel I loved and important. It will be dearly missed and his legacy will live on through all of us.
John always welcomed me with open arms and good hugs.
My deepest condolences to the family and everyone who knew him.
To Jan
Your Dad adored you. His eyes lit up when he mention your name. He is in heaven with your Mom. Prayers for the brightest light perpetual to shine on his beautiful soul. He did so much for so many. We are better having known him and his kind spirit. Wish we could be at the service.
Fondly Diane & Richard Jablonski.
John slowed down in his later years but he had a full career in the Air Force rising to the highest enlisted rank of E-9 Base Sergeant Major prior to beginning his second career becoming a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Appraisal expert. He loved his Daughter, grand children and great grand children immensely. He was devoted to his wife, Cora, who predeceased him in 2013. He had a fierce sense of humor and always dropped by to see whoever was in the area that he was in at the time. As a child, the “drop ins” always made my days better and I always looked forward to the next. He will be missed by all that had the good fortune to know him
My Condolences
Whicker Family & Friends:
My Condolences & Sympathy, I was a Friend of John for 18 years, He was always willing to Help Me anytime of the day. My Prayers are with the Family & Friends. (Sorry I am not able to Attend John’s Services)
With Sympathy,
Jerry Dennhardt
It is very difficult to know what to say when someone you love is hurting. I do my best to stay connected to my Higher Power and to maintain an attitude of gratitude. Losing dear friends hurts even though we know they have gone on to a better place. As I take the time to look over our times with John I remember his smile, his laughter and his love. I look at the wonderful pictures I have of times together and I am so grateful that we met. I am grateful that John shared his journey with us and that God has called him home to that great meeting in the sky where he is without pain and worldly concerns. More than that I am grateful for the contribution that he made in my life, the tears, the laughter, the shared meals and most importantly the love. Thank you John and Thank you God for this blessing in my life. Much love, Splash
John, you truly were one of the good guys. A heartfelt thank you for all you did in life! I am honored to have known you. Xoxo
Il miss John! Good by for now God’s kid!
John came into my life back on April 4th 1988.
Cora, my husband Bear, John ( Gods Kid), and I had many many trips to AA meetings all over Arizona. Fun was had by all. Now they have all gone off to that big stadium in the sky. Left me here with wonderful memories
and the job of carrying on the wonderful Iessons I learned from all three. Which I pray for guidance from my Higher Power. Its not going to be easy.
John always has been there to hand me my yearly chips.
If he had to he would
mail them to me.
He loved this AA program with a passion. He is going to be missed.
Jan he was so proud of you. He would simply glow when your name was mentioned. Then along came a little guy Erick. And John glowed brighter.
He left his mark on the East Valley.
And now God has three more angels to help Him.
RIP JOHNATHAN.
I’m sorry for your loss. John was a good friendly man.
Such Sorrow I feel for his passing but I will meet up with him in Heaven. I got to know John at the Desert Station Post Office where he had his po box then moved to Superstition Springs later. By far the oldest customer I have known in my 30+ years in Mesa Post Office. Always the Gentleman and a pleasure to serve him at the counter. He will be missed by all of the clerks who knew him.
To the Whicker Family..I only knew John for a few years. He was the 1st man I met at Arborwhen I moved here. John became a close friend and I will miss him very much but will have some fond memories..My condolences to the family