Jon Carl Didrickson

Jon Carl Didrickson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 18, 1943, to Carl and Kathryn Didrickson. Growing up in Chicago, Jon attended St John’s Lutheran School through the 8th grade and graduated from Mt Prospect High School in 1961. Jon studied Biology at Wheaton College, graduating in 1965.  While at Wheaton he met his bride, Jana Filip, and they were married in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1966.  Together they pursued Christian missionary service in Chicago and Newark and then spent 6 rewarding years in Nigeria with Sudan Interior Mission. Jon taught high school science at a mission compound in Kwoi and built deep and lasting friendships through inner city youth work in Lagos. Their first daughter was born during that time. After an internship with Youth for Christ in Walnut Creek, CA, their second daughter was born.  They moved their young family to Port Angeles in 1975 and had 3 more children.  Jon worked a variety of local jobs, most notably spending 15 years with Olympic National Park and 10 years with John L. Scott Real Estate. 

Jon loved people, history, coins, stamps, trains, travel, and photography. He was also a community visionary and enjoyed connecting all his diverse interests through the creation of a variety of community events.  His favorite endeavor was the “Port Angeles Olde Fashioned Thanksgiving” which he hosted at Lincoln Park for 10 years. Jon was most well-known for his love of the Lord and for people. He was generous, thoughtful, and kind and made friends easily, keeping in contact with people from all over the world. 

Jon loved having many visitors, including his children, during his final days. He shared his faith and prayed with each one.  Jon passed into heaven peacefully on September 2, 2022, after a 3-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Jana, five children (Shelley, Carla, Karen, Jan, and Joy) and 14 grandchildren. His brother, Luther, and his parents preceded him in death. 

A memorial service and reception are planned for Sunday, November 20th at 2:30 pm at Dungeness Community Church.   

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