John Carl Hovey was born on October 19, 1945, in Williston, ND to Carl and Ruth Hovey. He was the first of four children. Surrounded by a loving, God-fearing family and rich Scandinavian, Lutheran heritage, John enjoyed spending time and working during the summer months at his grandparents’ farmstead in Manfred, ND starting at the young age of four. By the age of eight, he started driving tractors to help with the harvest. Time on the farm worked to instill in John a life-long noble work ethic. He also started riding horses – something he enjoyed into retirement. After living in Aneta, ND and Huron, SD, his family moved to Moorhead, MN when he began 9th grade. During high school, John was active in student government, athletics, and playing trumpet in band. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead on a full football scholarship and was their starting fullback. The Cobbers were the NAIA National Championship football team his junior year and John is in their Football Hall of Fame. After college John married the love of his life, Mary Tabbut, on December 28, 1968. He attended the first two years of medical school in Grand Forks, ND and then the newlyweds moved to the Twin Cities where he graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. After his internship, John then chose to go through the Navy flight training program in Pensacola, FL to become a Flight Surgeon. He earned his “wings” and then served as the senior medical officer and Flight Surgeon at the Glenview Naval Air Station in Illinois. During this time, he was blessed with the arrival of two precious little girls: Ruth (1972) and Amy (1975). The family then moved to San Diego, CA where John did his Ophthalmology residency at Balboa Naval Hospital. Upon completion of his military obligation, the family moved to Brookfield, WI where John established the Ophthalmology Dept. for the Medical Associates Medical Group (1979-1985). It was shortly after arriving in Wisconsin, while attending Elmbrook Church, that John truly accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. During their time in Wisconsin, the family enjoyed many summer trips and memories back at Pelican Lake in Minnesota. John was a great water-skier and cherished time with extended family and friends at the lake. In 1985, the family moved back to San Diego where John worked as an Ophthalmologist in private practice and then at the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical group. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1996, he was medically retired and enjoyed many years of serving in various capacities at Shadow Mountain Community Church and traveling with family and friends. Other hobbies included woodworking, gardening, exercising, assembling trains, playing with grandchildren, and detailing cars. Listening to Gospel music was another favorite pastime which kept a song in his heart. He was a humble servant-leader, always generous, thoughtful of others, and focused on God and family. Despite increasing health challenges, John was a great example of keeping a positive attitude. In 2019, John & Mary moved to Tucson, AZ to be closer to their girls’ families. He was surrounded by loving family as he graduated to glory - indeed his faith became sight to this Ophthalmologist. He has left a godly testimony and legacy to his two daughters and their husbands (Ruth & Scott; Amy & Thatcher), five grandchildren and their wives (Nathan & Alyssa, JD & Madeline, AnnaGrace, Justin, Joy), three great-grandsons  and countless other “honorary” family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Pam, and brother Ivan. Micah 6:8 was a special verse to John - “And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God.” May his memory remind us to implement this in our lives as well.