John A. Napier

John A. Napier, 59, peacefully passed away on the morning of August 5, 2022 after a short but unforgiving battle with pancreatic cancer. He did so at home courageously and with dignity surrounded by loved ones.

John lived life filled with curiosity and wonderment of nature, and love of the arts. Early in life John was a member of the ROTC. Following graduation from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, John was accepted to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where he studied microbiology. As a young adult in Iowa, John was an activist and an advocate for the homeless.

In the summer of 1989, John transferred to the University of Alaska in Anchorage to pursue a degree in education. Upon earning his Bachelor and Master equivalency degree in early education, he became an accomplished, acclaimed, and admired elementary school teacher with the Anchorage School District were he taught and mentored children and adults alike for over 14 years. At the same time, he was a Naturalist/Camp Host for the Girls Scouts of America, teaching young girls the necessary skills to survive in the wilderness.

John was adventurous and an avid outdoorsman. He skied, hiked, and biked thousands of miles throughout Alaska and the lower 48. He took pride in his work with The Denali Foundation removing invasive plants in Denali National Park every summer for many years. John was also a talented quilter who rejoiced in gifting his works of art to family and friends.

John’s adventurous side prompted him to sell his home, buy a motorhome, and travel the country with Jimmy. After visiting all 50 states, they settled in Seattle and made it their home for the next 13 years. While there, John flourished as a school teacher with Pike Market Child Care and Preschool and as Wardrobe Master for the Seattle Men’s Chorus traveling with them throughout the state and abroad.

In 2018, John and Jimmy left Seattle. John applied and was accepted as a member of the Volunteer In The Park program with the National Park Service, serving both Rocky Mountain National Park in the summers and Everglades National Park in the winters. John eventually became the Lead Wilderness Park Ranger on the West side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It was his dream job. Of this work, John always said, it was his job to make peoples dreams come true.

Upon learning of his illness, John was given the opportunity to leave the park service as soon as he wanted in order to visit family or to complete his bucket list. John replied that his bucket was full, that he had done and accomplished everything he wanted.

John knew he lived a remarkable, charmed and full life!

John will be missed dearly by many friends and family alike. He leaves behind a devoted and loving husband of 35 years, Jimmy Navarro of Denver, Colorado; his father John E. Napier of Jensen Beach, Florida; mother in law Nelly Rosado of Caguas, Puerto Rico, his three sisters, Julie Moss of Tampa, Florida; Joan (David) Logel of O’Fallon, Missouri; Angela Jandreski of Franklin, Tennessee; sisters in law, Aleida Navarro of Caguas, Puerto Rico; Nelly (Edwin) Navarro of Newport News, Virginia; Madeline Navarro of Caguas, Puerto Rico and brother in law Rafael (Wanda) Navarro of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. He is preceded in death by his mother Marilynn R. Napier, grandparents Wayne and Ruth Markle, and Ann and Harold Napier, a younger brother Patrick Thomas Napier (stillborn), and a host of maternal and paternal nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Park Service in John’s honor.