John Henry Post

John Post, 93 of Pinetop, passed away in Payson on August 4, 2006. He was born on January 8, 1913 in Prospect, N.J. to Johanna and Henry Post and he graduated from Prospect Park Grammar School #1 in 1927. He met his future wife, Clara May Magie while on a boat on the Hudson River. Clara stuck out her foot in an attempt to trip John, and their eyes twinkled when they met. Clara was only 14 years old, and her parents told John "no" that she could not date him until she was 16. John waited and they were married on June 5, 1937. In 1942, John enlisted in the Navy and was a Motor Machinist, First Class. John was stabbed in the arm by a Navy security guard by mistake while on duty. He was over the side of his boat cleaning and doing maintenance. When he climbed back up the side of the boat and put his arm over the boat rail, a Navy security guard thought he was a "Japanese" enemy trying to climb aboard, and stabbed John. He was on Mine Sweeper #399, then in the L.C.I.-Landing Craft Infantry-in the Pacific during World War II. During his time in the Navy, he landed men on Iwo Jima and saw them raise the flag, then it went down, and he saw more soldiers help raise it up again. John is survived by a son, David Post of Mesa, AZ, a foster son, Albert Decker of Germany; a sister, Agnes Van Putt of New York and a brother, George Post of New York; 6 grandchildren David, Lance, Heather and Jason of Mesa; Tiffany Reno of Gilbert and Linda Rinker of Show Low. He is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; sisters Minnie and May, and by a brother, Raymond. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Pinetop. Owens Mortuary of Show Low is handling the arrangements.