John Leslie Pelkey Jr.

John Leslie Pelkey, Jr., was born September 1, 1949, in Lisbon Falls, Maine, to Regina (Roberts) and John L. Pelkey, Sr. He graduated from Monmouth Academy, Monmouth, Maine, in 1967, and joined the United States Air Force that same year. He was honorably discharged in 1971. His time in the Air Force brought him to North Dakota where he remained and raised his family.

Following his employment with the Fargo Post Office, he enjoyed the independence of working for himself. His favorite place to be was on his land in the Turtle Mountains, near Bottineau, ND, where he also enjoyed the company of family and friends. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America for many years, and helped establish a local AmVets in Bottineau, ND. A spinal injury left him quadriplegic in the fall of 2010. This past year he remained in the care of the Fargo VA.

He is survived by daughters - Caryn (Matt) Binsfield, Fargo, ND; Christa (Jeff) Page, Seattle, WA; and Tessa (Taylor) Bride, Moorhead, MN; 9 grandchildren - Hannah and Sarah McMahon, Riley Boerboom, Sophie and Gavin Plano, Lincoln, Preston, and Kier Bride, and Cambria Severson; 5 siblings - Bruce (Linda) Pelkey, Bonita (Richard) Girardin, Linda (Harold) Smith, Darlene (David) Cripps, Lloyd Strout, Jr., and brother-in-law, George Nason, all living in Maine; and 7 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Jane Nason; and nephew, Jon Smith.