On May 27, 1942, in Parsons, Kansas, one power-house of a man was born. John David Albertson came into this world ready for a rockstar life. Parsons wasn't the right fit for him, nor were the other places he called home before he ended up in Ogden, Utah. His grandparents started him on a path of love, respect, responsibility, and fun.

John's first job was as a tool and die maker where he learned the ins and outs of tool creation. Smart and resourceful, this man could make anything out of garage is full of custom tools he made whenever the need arose or when he simply knew he could build something better.

Speaking of building, John began building motorcycles when he was fourteen and it quickly became a passion of his. His first bike was a 1960s era Harley-Davidson Sportster. After a few years, he built a real head-turner. His 1947 twin engine chopper was a powerful machine that he rode into his 70s.This show-stopping work of art won award after award and was featured in Harley Davidson showcases and magazines through the decades- though it was hardly the most beautiful thing in his life.

At 27, while hosting a house party, a door opened and time stopped as he gazed at the "most beautiful woman I've ever seen". This was love at first sight and he knew in that instant he would never look at any other woman again. He immediately began courting this intelligent, refined, "petite blonde". Six weeks later, on July 14, 1970, he married Deborah Kay O'Connor at the White Chapel in Las Vegas. They honeymooned at the Mondavi Vineyard where they bought a box of cabernet. Every five years for fifty years(almost the full length of their marriage), John and Deb opened a bottle of this wine, a celebration and perfect representation of the years they lovingly aged together.

In 1973, John decided that the roads were no longer the only way he wanted to travel and took to the sky. On November 3rd of that year, he got his pilot license and began traversing the air. During his years as a pilot he owned two planes; first, a Beechcraft, then a Piper Cherokee. He flew across the continental United States and Canada knowing that his only limit was where he could land. This life sounds like a grand and fulfilling adventure but the truly impressive thing about John is how he proved that a high-speed, thrill seeking existence and the life of a family man are not mutually exclusive.

When John met Deb, the love of his life and apple of his eye, she was the mother of a baby girl and after they were married, he became the father of Terrill Maxine Staton. He blended two seemingly opposing lifestyles, providing a stable and loving home, as well as multitudes of unforgettable family memories. In 1988, the family grew again when Jasmine Leigh Kofoed (Jazzy), was born. Six months after her birth, John and Deb adopted her and like Terrill, gave her a life full of excitement and unending love. John often stated that one of his greatest joys was taking the opportunity to retire early and become a stay-at-home dad to Jazzy, further proving you can be a rockstar and the parent volunteer every teacher depends on. In 2007, Jazzy met her one- Dustin Michael Kofoed. After sizing him up like any caring and (overly) protective father would, John lovingly invited him into the family. Dustin became a son to John who taught him to shoot, build, bargain, and informally fly.

Together this family continued to make joyous memories and love each other endlessly. Throughout his life, John taught and learned many lessons. He unwaveringly supported his loved ones through any trial. He was indescribably proud of his family who feel the same way about him. He persevered through strife and loss, and found happiness in both grandiosity and simplicity. John described the soul as energy and cited the fact that energy cannot be destroyed, it can only be redirected. He believed that magnetism between souls such as his and Deb's exists and that together they will be redirected infinitely. And to all the stress, pain, and heartache of this world, John has one final thing to say: FUJIMO