Jon Alfred Oja died July 14, 2010 at St. Als hospital in Boise at the age of 71. He was born October 14, 1939 in Soudan Minnesota to Sanford and Mae Oja. Jon grew up on Lake Vermillion, working for many years at Stoddards Resort where at age 13 he met his future wife, Priscilla when her family vacationed there. After graduating from Tower-Soudan High School in 1957, he worked as a journeyman sheet metal worker in construction around Virginia, Minnesota. Jon joined the United States Air Force in 1960 with hopes of becoming a pilot. Jon and Priscilla were married on May 9, 1962 at Sugarcreek Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio. He and Priscilla relocated to Mountain Home, Idaho, where he helped maintain SAC missiles and where his daughter Carrie was born in 1964. Jon was honorably discharged from the Air Force and rejoined the private sector with employment at Fridgiaire in Dayton, Ohio where his son Chris was born in 1966. He helped the General Motors Company design and secure multiple patents for the latest manufacturing process technology of the time.

His desire to return to the hunting and fishing opportunities of the West brought his young family back to Mountain Home where he began work for Wherry Heating and Air Conditioning. Then he worked for Office Service Center in Boise in 1969 so that Jon could work on his business degree while maintaining a full time job repairing and rehabbing electronic equipment.

It was during these early years that Jon nurtured his love for flying. He obtained his pilots license and contracted out his electronic skills to various businesses at Bradley Field and with Rex Lanham in Emmett in exchange for flying time. He enjoyed delivering equipment and supplies to the back country. He eventually partnered in Delta Service to install transponders in small aircraft and in the purchase of a Grumman American Traveler small airplane. He proceeded to fly his family throughout the state and country on a regular basis.

Jon graduated from Boise State College in 1974 with a B. S. degree in Transportation Management and was immediately employed with Boise Cascade through the transportation division as their Transportation Coordinator for the Manufactured Home Division. He spent several years traveling through the West, Hawaii, and Alaska ensuring that the modular home product was safely and efficiently delivered to various destinations.

Jon was also an active member of Southminster United Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Idaho. Jon was an avid reader, tireless fisherman, lover of the outdoors, steel and wood craftsman, musician, and life member of the NRA. He savored his time with hunting companionship of his son and Joe Amell in Bear Valley. Also, he liked nothing better than a long weekend in the camping trailer, with family, Labrador dogs, and friends parked close to the shores of Cascade Reservoir where launching the boat for fishing was an easy early morning activity. He and Priscilla also enjoyed entertaining in their home.

In 1979, Jon transferred his transportation and manufacturing skills Metalbesteos and later to Omni-Lift Inc. in Salt Lake City. He came back to Boise for a brief stint where he worked at Image National Sign Company. He and Priscilla moved to San Mateo, California in 1986 when Jon accepted a position with Ferry Steel of San Francisco. Next they moved to San Leandro where Jon used his transportation training at Liquid Sugars, Inc. in Emeryville, CA. Jon was responsible for the transportation of a variety of sugar products around the country.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Sanford and Mae Oja, and his youngest brother Robert. He is survived by his sister Sandra (Jim) Salo; his sister Helen (Jim) Salminen; his brother Jim (Byrnetta) Oja; his children Carrie Oja in Coeur dAlene and Chris Oja in Boise and grandchildren Maximilian and Remington Oja.

There will be a viewing held on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Southminster United Presbyterian Church, 6500 Overland Rd., Boise starting at 10:00 A.M. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 A.M. Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Idaho Humane Society or the Southminster United Presbyterian Education Scholarship Fund at 6500 Overland Road, Boise, ID 83709.

Service Information Visitation Monday July 26, 2010 4:00 PM to 10:00 AM