John Isham

In loving memory of beloved John Isham. John died March 1st, 2025, at the age of 86, being held by his family. He was born in Washington, D.C. in 1938 and grew up in Pembroke, MA. He graduated from Silver Lake HS, attended Tilton School and RPI. He chose love over academics and married his first wife, Jane, and then enlisted in the Army. He finished at Northeastern, majoring in electrical engineering, and received a grant to study for his PhD at Harvard but was unable to due to staffing.

John is survived by his wife, Sally, step-son David (Jennie), daughter Laura (Davis), son Paul, grandchildren Nathaniel, Nicholas and Jessica, brother Allan, step-sister Sally, and cherished cats Joey and Rilla. He is preceded in death by his parents Paul Dwight Isham and Madelon Burbeck, step-sister Susan, and half-sister Christine. Unfortunately, his father died when John was only 15 months and his mother remarried a man, also widowed, with two daughters. Despite the support of his siblings, John’s relationship with his step-father was tumultuous, which John carried with him always.

John divorced his first wife and married long-time family friend, Sally Heaton, in 1978. They had a love of adventure, starting with their spontaneous rainy wedding night in Las Vegas. Fast forward to their trips: 1980 after Laura was born, driving in the Suburban pulling a trailer. 1993 in the PaceArrow with Laura and Paul, very brave with a teenager and pre-teen. In the RoadTrek in 2014-2015, with the cats, visiting family, friends, National Parks and beaches in the US and Canada. Also, not to be forgotten: the Mediterranean cruise culminating at the spice markets in Turkey, swimming in the Caribbean, drinking margaritas in Cancun, and biking through the Dordogne valley, plus numerous family trips to the San Juan Islands, Lake Powell, Yosemite.

John supported Laura and Paul through SBMS, DPHS, UCSB, SBCC, summer camps, travel for soccer and track, videotaping music, theatre and dance performances. He was lucky to be a part of three special Unitarian congregations, volunteering as sound operator, serving multiple board positions, supporting mens groups and social justice. He worked loyally for Rockwell, Sonatech and ITC. He had a deep love for marine life and found himself at a crossroads from the underwater sonar projects affecting the communication of whales. At age 55, he changed course to pursue stock investing out of his home office, which he studied until his death.

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton took the roof of their Bradenton, FL, condo. They moved back to California in December 2024.

John was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004. He had a prostatectomy in 2006, radiation in 2018 and was diagnosed with metastases to the bone in 2022. After a few hospital stints and an insurance denial to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, John was put on hospice in February. On March 1st, we sat with him, listening to favorite Jonathan Livingston Seagull, one last time, until he let go to receive his silver wings and soar. His wish would be for everyone to continue working on love – love for each other, the earth, the animals.

A memorial service/celebration will happen later on in the year.