John Sarff

John William Sarff, 77, of Jackson passed away Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 15, 1933, in Desloge, Mo., only child of Jefferson and Juanita Waltman Sarff. He and Carolyn Allstun were married June 5, 1963, and lovingly raised two children together in Jackson.

John graduated from Farmington High School and attended Mineral Area College.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957 and was trained as a cryptologic communication specialist. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands and Europe to intercept and decode Russian communications during the Cold War.

He entered government service in 1957 with the Civil Aeronautics Administration in St Louis, and transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration in 1960 where he worked as an air traffic controller in Cape Girardeau until his retirement in 1985.

John was very proud of his volunteer work with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where he served as one of the eight master instructor Hunter Education trainers. He received the Pioneer Award for Education, the highest award Missouri has awarded a volunteer instructor, and Instructor of the Year Award. He was most proud of each student he certified as well as teaching classes with his daughter, Dee Dee.

John was an active member of the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, American Legion and a life member of National Rifle Association. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, but mostly a devoted grandfather.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 48 years, Carolyn Sarff; two daughters, Laura (Alfred) Martin of Enola, Neb., Dee Dee (Jamey) Dockins of Jackson; two grandchildren, Jonathan and Madalyn Dockins of Jackson; a cousin, Jane (Cletus) Hartrup of Farmington; and special friend, Joan Anderson of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a granddaughter, Callie Dockins.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating.

Interment will immediately follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with graveside military honors.

Memorials may be made to Caring Bridge, Missouri Veterans Home of Cape Girardeau or Little Hearts.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.