John Henry Korte

John H. Korte II died peacefully in his home in Napa, CA on June 9th, 2020, a month before his 91st birthday. He was surrounded by his loving family and wife of 56 years. John had fought a courageous battle with prostate cancer and suffered a broken hip from a recent fall on June 2nd. John was a man of great faith and didn’t fear his death. His life was full, he enjoyed countless friendships, family and a daily walk with Christ. We are devastated with his passing, but he looked forward to being reunited in heaven with his son John and his many friends and family. On July 18, 1929 John was born In Oakland, CA to, John and Eda (Muller) Korte. He was the middle child of a large family which included his three sisters, Claire Carriere, and Betty Serke both deceased, Edie Driscoll (Steve) and his brother Clem Korte (Barbara). Their home was located on 33rd Avenue in Oakland, CA, in the family friendly Fruitvale District. The Korte home was a popular place and always bustling with kids from the neighborhood. He grew up in a devout Roman Catholic family and attended elementary and high school at St. Elizabeth’s, (class of ’47) located right behind their house and could be accessed by a gate in their fence. John was a stellar athlete, playing basketball throughout his days in school and beyond. He raised homing pigeons, was very knowledgeable about them and loved caring for them. John served as an altar boy for 14 years and attended daily mass until the recent “Shelter In Place Order” which required virtual Mass. From age 10 to 15, he sold newspapers in the neighborhood on E14th street in Oakland, “Hey mister, wanna buy a paper!”. To his final days he enjoyed reading the paper and it was not uncommon for him to cut out articles and mail them to his family and friends. In 1951, John was drafted into the army and offered an all expenses paid trip to Asia (i.e. Korean War, “The Forgotten War”). He proudly served his country as part of the 19th Infantry, 24th Division and spent a brutally cold winter on the front lines. Following that winter, while on leave in Japan, and preparing to return to Korea, he was recruited by the regional Army Basketball Team. He was offered the opportunity to play basketball in Japan and not go back to the front lines, and he accepted. He always said, “basketball may have saved my life.” (explains why there has always been an impressive basketball court in the Korte backyard!). His love of the game continued with years of refereeing games throughout the Bay Area as a proud member of the East Bay Athletic Association for 25 years. After returning home from Korea he continued to work for the Federal Government by taking a job as mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. He enjoyed the job, but realized his calling was to become a firefighter. In 1958, John joined the Alameda Fire Department and after one rookie year was pursued as a ‘first-round’ draft choice of the Oakland Fire Department (OFD). With OFD, he accomplished an exceptional and remarkable 36-year career, advancing from hose man to Lieutenant and then to Captain. More importantly, were the many exceptional friends that came with the job. (If you’re reading this you know who you are…and thank you!) John attended countless funerals, wedding and fireman breakfasts, maintaining many of those friendships until his passing. John spent the last 25+ years of his career at 8 Engine/5 Truck with OFD and achieved multiple recognitions from City, State and Federal agencies for community service and valor. His career was exemplary to say the least. He loved the Fire Department and he always said God blessed him when he got this job and the family that came with it. In the early 60’s, John found his true love, Lois Ladenburger. She was a beautiful young nurse who ironically grew up right around the corner. At 35 years old he convinced her to marry him in August 1964. The Fireman and the Nurse proceeded to expand their family, welcoming four children into their lives. John III (deceased), Joe, Jean Marie, and Greg. The young Korte family enjoyed an exceptional community and rich cultural experience living on Nevil St. in Oakland, CA. In 1981, John and his family moved to Napa for a new beginning outside of the growing Oakland City. The Napa Valley was familiar territory since John’s parents both grew up in the famous wine country and he spent many summers there growing up. John loved the Napa Valley and always said it was, “God’s Country”. His family has been lucky to continue to expand with marriages and has welcomed seven grandchildren over the years. For the past 39 years John and his loving wife Lois have grown, shared, worshiped, laughed, cried and loved in their Napa home. He was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the International Association of Firefighters Local 55 where he enjoyed the many friendships and events they shared. It’s been an incredible journey and his life has positively impacted too many of us to count. John will be remembered most for his strong Catholic faith, incredible memory and his ability to always be counted on. He loved his children and grandchildren with his whole heart. His faith, family and friends were the driving force in his life and gave him great peace in his later years. He sent many thoughtful and funny handmade postcards to his grandchildren and friends. He loved his backyard and spent countless hours caring for his beautiful garden. We are sure he is helping supervise in God’s garden. John is survived by his wife Lois Korte, his children Joe Korte (Susan), Jean Hensley (Lain) and Gregory Korte (Jeri) and his loving grandchildren Emily, Audrey, and Clare Korte, Taylor, Camille, and Lain John Hensley and Brayden Korte as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. John will finally join his eldest son John Henry Korte III in heaven. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend and a true hero to many! He will be missed greatly and will continue to inspire and guide those who knew and loved him. Due to COVID restrictions a small private Funeral Mass and burial took place 6/17/2020. We will be having a Celebration of Life in the future when we are allowed to have large gatherings. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to St. Apollinaris Church St. Vincent de Paul Society at 3700 Lassen St., Napa, CA 94558 or St. Jude's Foundation at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

John Henry Korte

July 18, 1929 - June 9, 2020

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John Henry Korte

July 18, 1929 - June 9, 2020

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