Born May 26, 1918 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 2, 2007, just shy of his 89th birthday. A long time West Seattle resident, he graduated from West Seattle High School (1936/37), studied electrical engineering at the University of Washington, and later served in communications with the U.S. Army during World War II stationed in Nome, Aleutians and Pribilof Islands, Alaska.

John began his radio career at an early age as a DJ and built the first FM radio station in the State of Washington in Longview. He also ran his own recording service ("N Sync Recording Service") doing sound recording for TV films, broadcasts and discs.

After the War, he joined the Washington State Patrol for a time and served many years thereafter in the Seattle Police Reserves. Later while a DJ with KJR, he had the opportunity to join KOMO TV and did so April 1, 1947, where he spent the next 37 years, retiring in 1984 from TV Master Control. John was an avid ham radio operator and belonged to the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club (W7ITV), the North Seattle Amateur Radio Club, the Quarter Century Wireless Club (over 65 years), and the Amateur Radio Relay League. He also was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary where he was an inspector-examiner. When not hamming with his fellow ham radio operators around the country, John enjoyed boating around Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. He was also a member of the Masons (Alki Lodge), Shriners, Scottish Rite, and the Order of Eastern Star (Crown Chapter No 249).

John is survived by his wife of 59 years Audrey, son Robert Van Voorhees (Cheryl), daughter Yvette Chambers (Larry), brother Norman Van Voorhees and many nieces and nephews. Services were held Saturday, April 14th. at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 2340 North 155th in Shoreline. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Barnabas Anglican Church (John Van Voorhees Memorial Fund).