On Monday, January 24, 2022, John Paton Kaufmann, loving husband and father of four children passed away unexpectedly at the age of 75. John was born in Susanville, Calif. on July 31, 1946. He later moved to Calistoga, Calif. where he spent his childhood. John graduated from Calistoga High School in 1964. John then followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Marine Corps. Soon after receiving an honorable discharge, he joined the California Highway Patrol. John worked as a traffic officer for 30 years. He loved his job and never tired of it. In January, 1982, John and his family moved to Crescent City, Calif. In addition to having a career he loved he discovered his love of fishing. John spent every possible moment on the Smith or Klamath Rivers catching salmon and steelhead. He made many lifelong friends on those Rivers. He never forgot any of them. John retired from the California Highway Patrol on May 2002. After the death of their daughter John and Linda moved to Texarkana, Texas where they lived for 8 years. In October 2020, they moved back to the western US and settled in Lakebay, Washington to be near their son Andrew and his family. John was preceded in death by his father, Walter, his mother, Edith, his brother, Bruce, his sister, Martha and his only daughter, Amy. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his sons, Michael, Brian and Andrew, his sister Edie Ann Petersen, 6 grandchildren and several cousins, nieces, nephews. There will be no formal service. John and Amy’s ashes will be scattered privately. To plant a tree in memory of John Kaufmann as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });