John Kenneth Exner

John was 78 years old when he passed peacefully into the night in Gig Harbor, Wa. from a heart related condition. Born in Chicago, Ill., he grew up in Downers Grove, a rural suburb of Chicago. After graduating in 1956 from high school, he briefly attended college in Madison, Wisconsin. He took a leave and traveled to Tahiti and Australia, working odd jobs along his way. After his father died, he relocated to Los Angeles, and combined marriage, work, and school. He graduated in 1984 from UCLA School of Management with a degree in accounting and learned computer programming. Using his computer skills, John went to work at the gas company as a programmer. He and his former wife Lenita also ran a Brazilian restaurant for about 3 years. After relocating to Ollala, Wa., he worked privately as a business consultant.

An avid collector of vintage and antique toys, tools, and oddities, he began selling at the Olde Central Antique Mall in Port Orchard for over 20 years. Favorite activities were reading, dancing, discussing philosophy and politics, writing humor, going to the opera, and going to swap meets and auctions. John was active and a Board member at the West Side Improvement Club, a Bremerton nonprofit. John will be remembered for his quiet presence, love for his children and grandchildren, his kindness, wit, intelligence, and friendship.

John was preceded in death by his parents William and Elizabeth and brother Raymond. He is survived by his brothers William and Gerald, sister Betty Davis, daughters Andrea Exner and Kathy Rizzotti of Los Angeles, his son Kenneth (Ken), as well as six wonderful grandchildren.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 at the West Side Improvement Club, 4109 West E street, Bremerton, Wa. 98312 from 2-4PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.