John A Packard Jr.

John A Packard Jr

Feb.15, 1943 - Feb. 20, 2026

John A Packard Jr, 83, passed from earthly to eternal life with our Triune God on February 20, 2026. Born on February 15, 1943, he grew up in Tennessee, inheriting a strong work ethic from his parents, John A Packard Sr and wife Trula. In his youth, he played tuba in his high school band, was active in 4-H and church youth groups, delivered newspapers, and weeded the big garden.

As he grew, adventure called; he was interested in forestry and had been accepted into Oregon State University and been hired as a wildland firefighter for the summer prior to starting college. Two weeks after high school graduation, he boarded a bus in Knoxville for a 3-day cross-country road trip to Salem, Oregon. He fought fires each summer, becoming a Smokejumper in 1965. His connection to Smokejumpers endured; later in life he served over a decade on the Board of the National Smokejumpers Association and relished the local and national reunions.

Halfway through college, John switched his major to geology. Instead of life trudging in the rain forest, he would pound rocks. He also met a girl. As manager of student employees in the dorm dining hall, John met Diane Polhemus, who needed a job. She got one, for life. They graduated together, John received his Army Commission, and they married six days later.

John's service as an officer in the Army included a couple tours in Viet Nam. John and Diane's first child, Susan, was born between tours in Ft Carson, CO. Their daughter, Julie, arrived 18 months later when John was back in Viet Nam.

After the Army, John returned to OSU, earning his M.S. in geology. He accepted a job with Unocal, a career that took him over much of the globe. The family lived in Alaska, England, Los Angeles, Damascus in Syria, and Houston. His business travels racked up the miles to Europe, the Middle East, many African countries, and Japan. After 26 years, John left Unocal, he and Diane moved to Spokane, and he embarked on a career in finance - insurance and investments - helping others navigate important decisions regarding their financial security.

John was a steadfast man of Christian faith, living with grace, humility and generosity. He was deep into service in Rotary, heading a project to build a waterpark splashpad for kids who had no community pool. Finally retiring at age 75, John continued volunteer work, tending his garden, and he and Diane enjoyed traveling in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, China, and the USA.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brother James, and daughter Sue Hagman. He is survived by his beloved wife Diane, brother Richard Packard (Sandra), daughter Julie Galles (Megan), son-in-law David Hagman (Theresa), and grandchildren Charlie and Heather Galles, and Burt, John, and Katie Hagman.

You are invited to join the family in celebrating John's life at

Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, 4102 S Crestline St, Spokane, on Saturday, March 14 at 2 pm.