Korte's compassion and heroism knew no bounds

Life’s loss is often heaven’s gain.

In the moment, emotion prevails. As more time passes, you

continue to miss that person but realize the great life he or she lived.  

On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, heaven gained a great soul -- John

Henry Korte II. 

Mr. Korte died peacefully in his Napa, CA, home as a result of a

valiant battle with prostate cancer coupled with a broken hip as a

result of a fall one week earlier. 

Based on the Covid-19 pandemic, the family held a small funeral

and burial on June 17, 2020. The family plans for a more

extensive gathering at a later date to be determined when

circumstances allow. 

Mr. Korte passed away one month shy of what would have been

his 91st birthday. For complete details on his life, refer to the link

below: 

https://www.claffeyandrota.com/obituaries/John-Korte/#!/Obituary

There are numerous things that I unpack as we celebrate the life

of a great human being. 

I first met Mr. Korte in 1988, memory escapes me exactly during

that year but that’s immaterial. Doing the math, that means I only

knew him for about one-third or so of his life. Based on who I got

to know, however, he felt like a lifelong friend and I’m a better

person for having known him. 

I developed a friendship with his youngest child, Greg, when we

were freshmen at Justin-Siena High School (Napa, CA). Our

friendship grew tighter because we were both experiencing difficult

times in life. Greg’s oldest sibling, John III, had died in the summer

of 1988. I still think to myself, “what an injustice to have parents

outlive their own child.” Two months later, my mother (Iris) was

experiencing a bout with cancer that was life-threatening at the

time but thankfully she remains alive today at age 81. It is often

said that in difficult times, you discover your friends and allies.

Greg became both to me -- and little did I know what followed,

the entire Korte family followed suit. 

Though we do not see each other with the frequency of past years,

neither time or distance has broken that friendship. Mr. Korte was

many things: father, family man, friend, hero, role model and a

damn good basketball player. If you were a friend of anyone in

the Korte household, you were treated like gold. Mr. Korte was

one of the most salt of the Earth human beings I have ever met in

my nearly 48 years of living. He was honest, principled,

compassionate, hard-working and a friend. 

He was a man for all seasons. Mr. Korte starred as a basketball

player in high school. In 1951, he was drafted into the army and

offered an all expenses paid trip to Asia (i.e. Korean War, “The

Forgotten War”). He proudly served his country as part of the 19th

Infantry, 24th Division and spent a brutally cold winter on the front

lines. Following that winter, while on leave in Japan, and preparing

to return to Korea, he was recruited by the regional Army

Basketball Team. He was offered the opportunity to play basketball

in Japan and not go back to the front lines, and he accepted. He

always said, “basketball may have saved my life.” 

I must say, Mr, Korte, that basketball court in your backyard was

impressive. In a sense pickup basketball at the Korte house

probably saved our lives too. Your son, Greg, hosted many

games that turned out to be some donnybrooks. It’s a good thing

they happened there where we policed ourselves but not

elsewhere. I guess it’s not so coincidental that he served as a

referee for 25 years. 

Though he worked for the United States Postal Service after

returning from Korea, Mr. Korte’s true calling came with the

Oakland Fire Department beginning in 1958 for a career that

lasted 36 years. He advanced from hose man to Lieutenant to

Captain. Mr. Korte’s role in the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989

is what we remember because it grabbed headlines and coincided

with the World Series but it’s his longevity as a first responder

that carries the most weight.  

Anyone who puts his life on the line defending our country in a

war like scenario and as a first responder earns my love and r

espect seven days a week and twice on Sunday. Though Greg

and I have grown into our family and professional lives and don’t

see each other as much as our younger days as a result, we keep

in touch on social media. Every once in a while I crossed paths

with Mr. and Mrs. Korte around Napa, we talked about many

things from sports to family to everywhere in between. Sometimes,

the conversations went off the rails but I digress. Mr. Korte always

asked about my parents. He frequently referred to them as “first

round draft picks.” Selfishly, I concur with him but I consider Mr.

and Mrs. Korte in that select company as well. 

The entire Korte family are wonderful souls: his loving wife, Lois,

followed by his kids: the aforementioned John III, Joe, Jean and

Greg. My tightest friendship was with Greg since he was my

classmate but in this immediate family, Mr. Korte was the

patriarch. 

One of the more misunderstood narratives is “you only live once.”

Not true. You die once but you live every day. Mr. Korte lived nine

decades to the fullest. The sadness of his loss is immutable but

if we can take a portion of his life in terms of making a difference

to others, we will all be better people. 

Mr.Korte, I’m in no hurry to get to where you are going but I’m as

sure as Monday comes after Sunday that we will meet again

someday. When I get there, I look forward to chopping it up with

you. 

NOTE: In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial
donations be made to St. Apollinaris Church St. Vincent de Paul
Society at 3700 Lassen St., Napa, CA 94558 or St. Jude's
Foundation at 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105.