John Neil Borgert

John Borgert passed away on Monday January 3, 2022, at the age of 78. He passed suddenly but peacefully with his beloved wife Marylou and their three children by his side.

John was born in Tacoma, WA, on March 9, 1943, to Alvin and Winnie Borgert. He was known as "Johnny Boy" to many family members throughout his life. John met his wife Marylou and best friend in grade school at St. Francis Cabrini in Lakewood, WA. He attended Ballamine High School in Tacoma, WA, and started dating Marylou. They were married in 1965.

During his youth John worked on fishing boats with family members in Gig Harbor. His love and passion of the water he shared with his family on many vacations through the San Juan Islands and British Columbia. He loved piloting a charted yacht through open waters.

The couple worked at the family store in Lakewood called the B&I Circus Store where Ivan the gorilla was kept. In 1975 John and Marylou moved to Yakama, WA, where they owned and operated the Country Store Shopping Center until they retired and moved to Shelton. John grew and sold Christmas trees from his property in Agate. It was a great way to vacation in Hawaii while selling trees! He also gave trees away to those in need while working at Shelton Land & Homes as a real estate broker, for 20 years.

John impacted the lives of so many people. His smile and enthusiasm for life were infectious. He was always studying politics, world events, reading, learning and researching topics until he found the answers. While raising his family the couple had hosted about 22 exchange students from all over the world. John kept in close contact with some students with phone calls and helpful advice. They regarded him as a second father.

John is survived by his wife Marylou, his children Tine, Christine and Earl, grandchildren Natalie and Conner and sister Kedda and her daughter Barbara. John was a strong patriarch of the Borgert family and will be missed by so many.

A memorial service will take place at 10:00 am on February 5, 2022, at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, WA, in the Aspen Chapel, followed by a reception in the adjoining Willow room from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A private placement of the urn will take place with the family at Calvary Cemetery.