John Fredrick Naylor, 82 of Nevis, Minnesota died Saturday, January 23, 2010 at his home. He was born October 25, 1927 in Baudette, Minnesota to Oscar and Inez Naylor. They lived on Oak Island on Lake of the Woods. He grew up and attended school in Lakeville, Minnesota. Near the end of WWII, he joined the Army and was a member of the 82^nd Airborne. In 1950 he moved to California and worked for Atlantic-Richfield Oil Company. He was in charge of painting their gas stations in 3 western states. He then became a painting contractor, painting large tracts of homes, sandblasting and coating oil storage tanks in the oil fields of California. On July 31, 1971 he married Gerry in Olive, California. In November 1983, they moved to the home they had built on 3^rd Crow Wing Lake where he continued the custom cabinet business he started in California. They also own Belle Taine Glass in Park Rapids and the Wash Tub Laundromat in Nevis.

     John was a lifetime member and a three time commander of the American Legion Post 212 of Park Rapids, past Chef de Gare of 40 et 8 Voiture 712 and organizer and advisor of the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 212 of Park Rapids. He also served for many years as Chairman of the Crow Wing Lake Township, served on the Nevis Planning Commission and was a founding member of the Walker Curling Club.

     John and Gerry loved to travel and went all over the world. John loved his family, the lakes, oceans, mountains, animals, bowling, cribbage and football, but most of all, he loved Gerry.

     He is survived by his wife, Gerry of 38 years, a son, Kirk(Teri) Johnson of Nevis, 2 daughters, Karen(Kevin) Austin of Chicago, Illinois and Kim Dague of Fountain Valley, California. Grandchildren: Kristofer, Anthony and Jessica Johnson, John, Rebecca and Anthony Austin, Kristina and Lisa Dague, 2 great-grandsons, Kaleb Johnson and Joel Austin, several nieces and nephews and a son, Terry.

      He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Elmer and a sister Donna.

     Funeral services are at 10:00A.M., Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Assembly of God Church in Park Rapids, Minnesota with Pastor Art Wood officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7:00P.M. Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the Assembly of God Church.  Casketbearers: Mike Kyllonen and Glenn Harvala of the American Legion, Vern Massie and Jerry Forsberg of the 40 et 8, Bob Lindgren and Dave Swanson of the SAL. Honorary Casketbearers: Everyone whose life he touched. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Nevis, Minnesota. Military honors provided by American Legion Honor Guard and “Taps” by Ray Vaadeland.