John Douglas Layton
April 17, 1955 - July 4, 2015
Amelia Earhart once said "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky". John loved to fly. He loved looking at the world from afar. It was his adventure, his wonderland, his way of engaging life while "sailing on the clouds". Sadly, John died in a plane crash in Salem, Oregon on July 4th.
Flying since he obtained his pilot license in his early 20s, it was an important part of both his past and his future as he and his wife Paulina planned trips throughout the country. While hopscotching from one community to another, it would have provided an opportunity to buy a vacation home in Arizona and continue to live and work in Salem both of which he and Paulina had planned.
Losing John leaves a void in the many lives he touched, including his family, his friends, business associates and most important, the community as a whole.
John was born April 17th, 1955 in Salem, Oregon as the first and only surviving son of Jack and Dolores Layton. He was raised with his four sisters in the Salem area, graduating from Sweet Home High school in 1973. Following high school he attended southern Oregon College and Oregon State for a time where he studied business administration and industrial engineering. In 1975, John enlisted in the US Army and was primarily stationed in Germany. He was assigned to the tank division and as a Sergeant received the "Rock Steady" award from his NCO's of HHC 3rd BN 33rd Armor. Once asked why he was in tanks, he responded with a slight grin "I preferred tanks over typewriters". He was honorably discharged in 1979.
Like most of us, John worked in several jobs in the early years. He worked in the wood products industry, was a manager of a local credit union and even spent a short time with the United States Postal Service. Then an opportunity to work for his father, Jack Layton, both defined and consumed him over the next twenty-five years of his life.
His father, Jack Layton, was an inventor, a visionary, and a problem solver. John learned as much as he could from him about business in general and in the design, manufacturing and sales of asphalt pavers and remote trax equipment. John subsequently studied other related disciplines such as critical chain project management and lean process improvement. He worked hard and it paid off. In the late 1990s, Jack retired and John took on the ownership and leadership role of Layton Manufacturing. Beginning in 2004, John began a massive expansion of the company, adding Stevens Equipment Company, Weliver Metals, and AB McLauchlan. This expansion took the company in new directions, primarily food and industrial processing equipment and a rebranding to Layton Systems. It was a challenge as John took the company through two recessions but each time coming out stronger and more successful. John was very proud of the products they engineered and built, but he was especially proud of the fact that for over thirty years he and his father were able to provide health care benefits to his employees and their dependents. Few small businesses can match that record. Currently, Layton Systems has approximately 45 employees in the Salem area.
John was also active in the community serving on numerous boards such as Simpson Credit Union, health care advisory boards representing small businesses and SEDCOR. He gave back to the community in many ways, but always in the background and without fanfare.
John had cherished relationships throughout his life and was always a devoted family man. He was a great friend, caring leader, and was treasured by all who knew him. He especially felt a strong bond with his nephews Josh and Joel Van Quick and whose lives he carried close to his heart. In October 2005, John married Paulina with whom he shared a special bond. They enjoyed golfing together and hiking many miles with their two rescue dogs. She provided John a balance in his life that brought him great joy and happiness.
Besides his passion for his work and family, John loved flying, skiing, hiking, reading, traveling and golf. He loved to talk about the social issues of our times, business strategies, politics and the challenges in our communities. He was a safety net for his family and could always be counted on. He was the voice of reason, a loyal friend and steady rock and beacon for all who knew him. He could be quiet and reflective but you always knew where he stood.
John leaves behind his wife Paulina; her children Kevin, Aaron and Ryan; his father Jack Layton (Margie); his sisters Cassie Layton (and Jim), Laurie Anderson (and Andy), Jamie Bayley (and Rob), Rebecca Riley, Denise Ryan, Darla Gonzales (and Charles); and brother David Layton; his 19 nieces and nephews and numerous other extended family and very close friends. His Stepfather Ike Adamson, Mother Dolores Adamson, and infant brother Jimmy Layton preceded him in death.
To celebrate John's amazing life and legacy a memorial service and reception will be held in his honor on Saturday July 18th at 11AM at the Keizer Civic Center's Iris Ballroom located at 930 Chemawa Rd NE, Keizer, OR 97303.
Published in StatesmanJournal on July 12, 2015
April 17, 1955 - July 4, 2015
Amelia Earhart once said "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky". John loved to fly. He loved looking at the world from afar. It was his adventure, his wonderland, his way of engaging life while "sailing on the clouds". Sadly, John died in a plane crash in Salem, Oregon on July 4th.
Flying since he obtained his pilot license in his early 20s, it was an important part of both his past and his future as he and his wife Paulina planned trips throughout the country. While hopscotching from one community to another, it would have provided an opportunity to buy a vacation home in Arizona and continue to live and work in Salem both of which he and Paulina had planned.
Losing John leaves a void in the many lives he touched, including his family, his friends, business associates and most important, the community as a whole.
John was born April 17th, 1955 in Salem, Oregon as the first and only surviving son of Jack and Dolores Layton. He was raised with his four sisters in the Salem area, graduating from Sweet Home High school in 1973. Following high school he attended southern Oregon College and Oregon State for a time where he studied business administration and industrial engineering. In 1975, John enlisted in the US Army and was primarily stationed in Germany. He was assigned to the tank division and as a Sergeant received the "Rock Steady" award from his NCO's of HHC 3rd BN 33rd Armor. Once asked why he was in tanks, he responded with a slight grin "I preferred tanks over typewriters". He was honorably discharged in 1979.
Like most of us, John worked in several jobs in the early years. He worked in the wood products industry, was a manager of a local credit union and even spent a short time with the United States Postal Service. Then an opportunity to work for his father, Jack Layton, both defined and consumed him over the next twenty-five years of his life.
His father, Jack Layton, was an inventor, a visionary, and a problem solver. John learned as much as he could from him about business in general and in the design, manufacturing and sales of asphalt pavers and remote trax equipment. John subsequently studied other related disciplines such as critical chain project management and lean process improvement. He worked hard and it paid off. In the late 1990s, Jack retired and John took on the ownership and leadership role of Layton Manufacturing. Beginning in 2004, John began a massive expansion of the company, adding Stevens Equipment Company, Weliver Metals, and AB McLauchlan. This expansion took the company in new directions, primarily food and industrial processing equipment and a rebranding to Layton Systems. It was a challenge as John took the company through two recessions but each time coming out stronger and more successful. John was very proud of the products they engineered and built, but he was especially proud of the fact that for over thirty years he and his father were able to provide health care benefits to his employees and their dependents. Few small businesses can match that record. Currently, Layton Systems has approximately 45 employees in the Salem area.
John was also active in the community serving on numerous boards such as Simpson Credit Union, health care advisory boards representing small businesses and SEDCOR. He gave back to the community in many ways, but always in the background and without fanfare.
John had cherished relationships throughout his life and was always a devoted family man. He was a great friend, caring leader, and was treasured by all who knew him. He especially felt a strong bond with his nephews Josh and Joel Van Quick and whose lives he carried close to his heart. In October 2005, John married Paulina with whom he shared a special bond. They enjoyed golfing together and hiking many miles with their two rescue dogs. She provided John a balance in his life that brought him great joy and happiness.
Besides his passion for his work and family, John loved flying, skiing, hiking, reading, traveling and golf. He loved to talk about the social issues of our times, business strategies, politics and the challenges in our communities. He was a safety net for his family and could always be counted on. He was the voice of reason, a loyal friend and steady rock and beacon for all who knew him. He could be quiet and reflective but you always knew where he stood.
John leaves behind his wife Paulina; her children Kevin, Aaron and Ryan; his father Jack Layton (Margie); his sisters Cassie Layton (and Jim), Laurie Anderson (and Andy), Jamie Bayley (and Rob), Rebecca Riley, Denise Ryan, Darla Gonzales (and Charles); and brother David Layton; his 19 nieces and nephews and numerous other extended family and very close friends. His Stepfather Ike Adamson, Mother Dolores Adamson, and infant brother Jimmy Layton preceded him in death.
To celebrate John's amazing life and legacy a memorial service and reception will be held in his honor on Saturday July 18th at 11AM at the Keizer Civic Center's Iris Ballroom located at 930 Chemawa Rd NE, Keizer, OR 97303.
Published in StatesmanJournal on July 12, 2015
John Douglas Layton
April 17, 1955 - July 4, 2015
Amelia Earhart once said "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky". John loved to fly. He loved looking at the world from afar. It was his adventure, his wonderland, his way of engaging life while "sailing on the clouds". Sadly, John died in a plane crash in Salem, Oregon on July 4th.
Flying since he obtained his pilot license in his early 20s, it was an important part of both his past and his future as he and his wife Paulina planned trips throughout the country. While hopscotching from one community to another, it would have provided an opportunity to buy a vacation home in Arizona and continue to live and work in Salem both of which he and Paulina had planned.
Losing John leaves a void in the many lives he touched, including his family, his friends, business associates and most important, the community as a whole.
John was born April 17th, 1955 in Salem, Oregon as the first and only surviving son of Jack and Dolores Layton. He was raised with his four sisters in the Salem area, graduating from Sweet Home High school in 1973. Following high school he attended southern Oregon College and Oregon State for a time where he studied business administration and industrial engineering. In 1975, John enlisted in the US Army and was primarily stationed in Germany. He was assigned to the tank division and as a Sergeant received the "Rock Steady" award from his NCO's of HHC 3rd BN 33rd Armor. Once asked why he was in tanks, he responded with a slight grin "I preferred tanks over typewriters". He was honorably discharged in 1979.
Like most of us, John worked in several jobs in the early years. He worked in the wood products industry, was a manager of a local credit union and even spent a short time with the United States Postal Service. Then an opportunity to work for his father, Jack Layton, both defined and consumed him over the next twenty-five years of his life.
His father, Jack Layton, was an inventor, a visionary, and a problem solver. John learned as much as he could from him about business in general and in the design, manufacturing and sales of asphalt pavers and remote trax equipment. John subsequently studied other related disciplines such as critical chain project management and lean process improvement. He worked hard and it paid off. In the late 1990s, Jack retired and John took on the ownership and leadership role of Layton Manufacturing. Beginning in 2004, John began a massive expansion of the company, adding Stevens Equipment Company, Weliver Metals, and AB McLauchlan. This expansion took the company in new directions, primarily food and industrial processing equipment and a rebranding to Layton Systems. It was a challenge as John took the company through two recessions but each time coming out stronger and more successful. John was very proud of the products they engineered and built, but he was especially proud of the fact that for over thirty years he and his father were able to provide health care benefits to his employees and their dependents. Few small businesses can match that record. Currently, Layton Systems has approximately 45 employees in the Salem area.
John was also active in the community serving on numerous boards such as Simpson Credit Union, health care advisory boards representing small businesses and SEDCOR. He gave back to the community in many ways, but always in the background and without fanfare.
John had cherished relationships throughout his life and was always a devoted family man. He was a great friend, caring leader, and was treasured by all who knew him. He especially felt a strong bond with his nephews Josh and Joel Van Quick and whose lives he carried close to his heart. In October 2005, John married Paulina with whom he shared a special bond. They enjoyed golfing together and hiking many miles with their two rescue dogs. She provided John a balance in his life that brought him great joy and happiness.
Besides his passion for his work and family, John loved flying, skiing, hiking, reading, traveling and golf. He loved to talk about the social issues of our times, business strategies, politics and the challenges in our communities. He was a safety net for his family and could always be counted on. He was the voice of reason, a loyal friend and steady rock and beacon for all who knew him. He could be quiet and reflective but you always knew where he stood.
John leaves behind his wife Paulina; her children Kevin, Aaron and Ryan; his father Jack Layton (Margie); his sisters Cassie Layton (and Jim), Laurie Anderson (and Andy), Jamie Bayley (and Rob), Rebecca Riley, Denise Ryan, Darla Gonzales (and Charles); and brother David Layton; his 19 nieces and nephews and numerous other extended family and very close friends. His Stepfather Ike Adamson, Mother Dolores Adamson, and infant brother Jimmy Layton preceded him in death.
To celebrate John's amazing life and legacy a memorial service and reception will be held in his honor on Saturday July 18th at 11AM at the Keizer Civic Center's Iris Ballroom located at 930 Chemawa Rd NE, Keizer, OR 97303.
Published in StatesmanJournal on July 12, 2015
April 17, 1955 - July 4, 2015
Amelia Earhart once said "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky". John loved to fly. He loved looking at the world from afar. It was his adventure, his wonderland, his way of engaging life while "sailing on the clouds". Sadly, John died in a plane crash in Salem, Oregon on July 4th.
Flying since he obtained his pilot license in his early 20s, it was an important part of both his past and his future as he and his wife Paulina planned trips throughout the country. While hopscotching from one community to another, it would have provided an opportunity to buy a vacation home in Arizona and continue to live and work in Salem both of which he and Paulina had planned.
Losing John leaves a void in the many lives he touched, including his family, his friends, business associates and most important, the community as a whole.
John was born April 17th, 1955 in Salem, Oregon as the first and only surviving son of Jack and Dolores Layton. He was raised with his four sisters in the Salem area, graduating from Sweet Home High school in 1973. Following high school he attended southern Oregon College and Oregon State for a time where he studied business administration and industrial engineering. In 1975, John enlisted in the US Army and was primarily stationed in Germany. He was assigned to the tank division and as a Sergeant received the "Rock Steady" award from his NCO's of HHC 3rd BN 33rd Armor. Once asked why he was in tanks, he responded with a slight grin "I preferred tanks over typewriters". He was honorably discharged in 1979.
Like most of us, John worked in several jobs in the early years. He worked in the wood products industry, was a manager of a local credit union and even spent a short time with the United States Postal Service. Then an opportunity to work for his father, Jack Layton, both defined and consumed him over the next twenty-five years of his life.
His father, Jack Layton, was an inventor, a visionary, and a problem solver. John learned as much as he could from him about business in general and in the design, manufacturing and sales of asphalt pavers and remote trax equipment. John subsequently studied other related disciplines such as critical chain project management and lean process improvement. He worked hard and it paid off. In the late 1990s, Jack retired and John took on the ownership and leadership role of Layton Manufacturing. Beginning in 2004, John began a massive expansion of the company, adding Stevens Equipment Company, Weliver Metals, and AB McLauchlan. This expansion took the company in new directions, primarily food and industrial processing equipment and a rebranding to Layton Systems. It was a challenge as John took the company through two recessions but each time coming out stronger and more successful. John was very proud of the products they engineered and built, but he was especially proud of the fact that for over thirty years he and his father were able to provide health care benefits to his employees and their dependents. Few small businesses can match that record. Currently, Layton Systems has approximately 45 employees in the Salem area.
John was also active in the community serving on numerous boards such as Simpson Credit Union, health care advisory boards representing small businesses and SEDCOR. He gave back to the community in many ways, but always in the background and without fanfare.
John had cherished relationships throughout his life and was always a devoted family man. He was a great friend, caring leader, and was treasured by all who knew him. He especially felt a strong bond with his nephews Josh and Joel Van Quick and whose lives he carried close to his heart. In October 2005, John married Paulina with whom he shared a special bond. They enjoyed golfing together and hiking many miles with their two rescue dogs. She provided John a balance in his life that brought him great joy and happiness.
Besides his passion for his work and family, John loved flying, skiing, hiking, reading, traveling and golf. He loved to talk about the social issues of our times, business strategies, politics and the challenges in our communities. He was a safety net for his family and could always be counted on. He was the voice of reason, a loyal friend and steady rock and beacon for all who knew him. He could be quiet and reflective but you always knew where he stood.
John leaves behind his wife Paulina; her children Kevin, Aaron and Ryan; his father Jack Layton (Margie); his sisters Cassie Layton (and Jim), Laurie Anderson (and Andy), Jamie Bayley (and Rob), Rebecca Riley, Denise Ryan, Darla Gonzales (and Charles); and brother David Layton; his 19 nieces and nephews and numerous other extended family and very close friends. His Stepfather Ike Adamson, Mother Dolores Adamson, and infant brother Jimmy Layton preceded him in death.
To celebrate John's amazing life and legacy a memorial service and reception will be held in his honor on Saturday July 18th at 11AM at the Keizer Civic Center's Iris Ballroom located at 930 Chemawa Rd NE, Keizer, OR 97303.
Published in StatesmanJournal on July 12, 2015
Bio by: Bev
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