John Russell Sandell passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025 in Saratoga, California. He was 101 years old.

John is predeceased by his sister Margorie Price, wife Kristin Romney Sandell, daughter Cynthia Sandell Hoffacker and second wife Joan Mackay Sandell.

John is survived by his sister Mary Faux; two daughters (Lauralon Sandell Johnson and husband Bruce Johnson, Barbara Sandell and husband Craig Keithley); son (Richard John Sandell); four grandchildren (Kerry Babbit and husband David Babbit, Kimberly Kulka, Heidi Hoffacker and Tyler Sandell); five great-grandchildren (Andrew, Riley, Madison, Chloe and Noah); and two step daughters (Lynne and Jackie) and their families.

John was born on October 16, 1923 in Malone Washington. In 1928, John's twin sisters Marjorie Anne and Mary Evelyn were born. The family moved to Declo Idaho, where they bought their first 40 acre farm. Russell relied on his only son John for daily help on the farm.

John graduated from Declo High School in 1941. After high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After his discharge in 1946, he attended the University of Idaho in Moscow and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

After college, John drove to Los Angeles to secure a job with Southern California Gas Company as a Field Engineer. In 1953, he got a job with Douglas Aircraft as a Flight Test Engineer. John married his first wife Kristin in 1954. They moved to Lancaster, California where they bought their first home and started a family. They relocated to Sunnyvale in 1958 when John accepted a position with Lockheed Missiles & Space. In 1968, John joined Perkin Elmer in Sunnyvale. One of projects John was most proud of involved the Hubble Space Telescope. John retired from Engineering in 1986.

After retirement, John was able to focus on his true love which was real estate. He held a Real Estate Broker's License for many years. Over his 55 year career in real estate, he owned several apartment complexes until he moved to commercial real estate in 2018.

John loved watching the finance news, reading the Wall Street Journal and following the stock market daily. For many years, he was a member of the San Francisco based Piledriver's Investment Club.

John developed a passion for traveling and always had a camera or camcorder in hand. John and Kristen took dozens of cruises and explored many countries until her death in 2004 from breast cancer. After John married his second wife Joan in 2006, their travels included Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Japan, Australia and India. In 2015, Joan also succumbed to breast cancer.

That same year, John moved to Saratoga Retirement Community. John was a beloved member of the community and participated in many activities including bocce ball, group exercise and the investment club. John remained active throughout his life and walked up to 3 miles a day well into his 90's.

John's family and friends will always remember him with much love and admiration.

A special thank you goes to Tanya and the wonderful caregivers at Sage Eldercare as well as the caring staff at Redwood Hospice.

A private service was held to honor John's life.