John Edwards Gaskin (78), June 10, 1941 – January 13, 2020 passed away from complications of cancer. John was the son of George and Gladys Gaskin. Born in Yuma, AZ and a longtime Phoenix resident, John attended Madison Elementary, North Phoenix High School and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1963 where he was a member and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
The majority of John’s work life was with Capital Lumber Company (52 years) where he succeeded his father, George Gaskin, as owner and president. He loved each and every day of his 52 years with Capital from the days of stacking lumber in his youth during the hot, dusty days of summer to the twilight winter days of his life as Board Chairman.
Friends. A very cherished part of his life were the people who honored him with their friendship. From grade school to the “Golden Years” all were treasures to him.
He also enjoyed his association with The Phoenix Thunderbirds, The Arizona Riding Club and Paradise Valley Country Club. He loved travel – with his relentless world -wide search for the perfect martini – and he loved reading and music as well as pursuing fitness in the gym. In earlier years he looked forward to driving fast hot rods, bird hunting, running, swimming and biking.
But his beloved wife, Jean Rae, and his children and grandchildren were always first and foremost in his life. He was extremely proud of each of his children’s successes in life and of the love they gave to each other as well as to him.
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean Rae, his children; Christie Darby (Michael), Scott Gaskin (Jennifer) and Wendy Mulvihill (Michael) and five grandchildren; Michael Darby Jr., John Darby, Annie Mulvihill, Kate Mulvihill and Ella Mulvihill, and his sister Gail Dumas of Greenwich, CT.
Services to be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 3:30 P.M. A celebration of life to follow at Paradise Valley Country Club. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be designated to cancer research at Mayo clinic. Gifts can be mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Posey Moore Nash
Such a truly humble nice man.
It was our honor to know him.
Our kindest always.
Aelisa Duran
John you are truly missed ❤️
Mary Stokes
Both John and I worked at Capital and retired from there. After retirement we continued to stay in touch and he always had a very positive, upbeat attitude – never any complaints. John was a kind, gentle and fair person who we were privileged to know and work with for many, many years. John was a part of our lives for so many years and will continue to always be in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Ben E
An intelligent, kind and classy gentleman who will be missed.
Susan Scagnelli Tellier
I was privileged to be one of the Gaskin’s sitters in the early 70s for their 3 adorable children who ended up being in my wedding in 1977. I would like to share several memories of John & their family.
One night when I was sitting, about 10pm, the children were fast asleep and I decided to put my head down on the sofa for a few minutes. The next thing I remember , I opened my eyes and John was sitting on the hearth staring right at me with that big, handsome smile of his.
Another time, when he and Jean Rae left for the evening, he saw a couple of kids near the house. He chased them into the desert. He told me about it when they came home. I found out it was my little sister & her friend trying to scare me in the house with all the windows on Homestead.
I went to UofA and again watched the children several times when the Gaskins came down for a game & stayed at the magical Arizona Inn. In the Spring of 1974, I received 4 tickets in a lottery to see Bob Dylan in LA. My two friends & I had an extra ticket and Jean Rae told John to go. John picked us up in LA in a limousine! My first ride in one.
I often wondered how can you be grown up and still have fun? John & Jean Rae always knew how to make it happen.
My sincerest condolences to Jean Rae, Christie, Scott, Wendy, & the rest of the family.
Susan Scagnelli Tellier