John Sager Repanich

John Sager Repanich passed away on Bainbridge Island, Washington, on November 10, 2020, at the age of 81. He was born October 7, 1939, to Nick and Mari Ruth Sager Repanich, and grew up in Port Orchard, graduating from South Kitsap High School in 1957. He graduated from Washington State University in 1961, taught math, physics, and Russian language in Moses Lake High School and Warden High School.

He leaves his wife of 61 years, Pat Ganson Repanich, daughter Lori Hill and son, Nick Repanich, grandchildren Alex Hill, Monica Hill Dove, Nathan Hill, Jill Repanich Gerrity and Amy Repanich Pugh and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Deanna Hill.

Always dreaming of being a farmer, he and Pat developed three farms over the years, building homes themselves on each. The first was in Moses Lake raising sheep and hay. The second farm was undeveloped raw ground on Wahluke Slope where they grew wheat and beans. When that was sold they moved to Corning, California and developed a walnut orchard from the leveling to planting. He served on the Diamond and Sun Diamond Boards, Research committees and Tehama County Farm Bureau. He was active in Sacramento River issues, always speaking for the landowners. No project was too big or intimidating for John. He built his walnut shaker, huller/dryer and a “Smart House”.

When the Corning farm was sold in 1999, he found his Croatian roots on the island of Vis in Croatia and a beautiful family that still lived on the island. They purchased a shell of a house on the Adriatic Sea, remodeled and renovated, and turned it into a villa. Pat and John enjoyed 20 years living and learning Croatian and touring Europe with friends and family (especially the grandchildren). They eventually rented apartments to tourists as an Airbnb and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining guests.

John planted his last farm on Vis, the largest avocado plantation in Croatia (150 trees).
A life well lived!!!! He is missed by many.