John Greeley Ladd

John Greeley Ladd
October 25, 1921 – August 9, 2020. John made everyone he encountered feel cared for, valued and good. He struggled with dysphagia for the last six months of his life, but declined quickly with pneumonia over his last four days. He maintained his spirit. Just a week earlier, he was looking forward to his 99th birthday. “And if I get to 99, I’ll try for 100”.

John was the son of Greeley and “Peggy” Ladd. He grew up near Lake of the Isles and graduated from West High and the U of M. He flew C-47’s in the Pacific theatre, moving troops between islands, with parachute drops and sketchy landing fields. On his 23rd birthday he survived on an invasion beach thanks to the heroic “Tin Can Sailors” of the Battle off Samar (look it up!).

He married Beatrice Curran Ladd on May 2, 1952. He took on the responsibilities of a new father for 6-year old “Little John”, Bea’s son with a US Navy flyer killed near the end of the War.

He was an entrepreneur (before the word was trendy) and founded and ran Bestway Finance into his 80’s. He loved the competition of cards, bowling and golf. He was still proudly reporting regular bridge wins even as COVID lockdowns began in March. John and Bea formed wonderful multi-generational friendships with families locally and from Japan. He had so many people who loved him.

He endured the death of his granddaughter Anne in 2003, of Bea in 2008 and of his sister Lassie Sandell in 2016.

He is survived by John Ladd and Kay Harnish-Ladd, granddaughter Jess Ladd and niece and nephew Barbara and Tom Sandell.