Obituary of John Gleason

John (Skip) Chase Gleason, 57, of Isanti went to be with his parents, sisters Linda & Kathy, sister-in-law Dode, brothers-in-law Bob and Gordy, and Jim on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 9, 1952 at the Naval Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany to John E. and Dorothea L. (Fox) Gleason. Skip grew up in the Anoka area. He joined the Army on his 17th birthday and served in Vietnam. He loved his job, where he "got paid to play in the dirt all day" driving belly-and side-dumpers. He loved Harleys, music from ZZ Top to Nora Jones, playing Santa (especially at the shelter), his pick-up and semi trucks, history, geography, science and sci-fi. He enjoyed listening to books on CD, playing games, fishing, snowmobiling, time in his man-cave and at the cabin and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. He had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He worked as a team with Mary for years on things they felt passionately about, from donating loads of toys at Christmas to attending a protest or rally. He was a rock to his wife & kids, always standing beside them with love, support and encouragement. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was the only one he had. Skip is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary (Hurkman), son Jeremy (Bear) & wife Zoua, daughter Amber (Pookie) & boyfriend Steve, cherished grandchildren Angel, Secret, Chase & Alena, mom Shirley, mother-in-law Deloris, sisters-in-law, especially Shari, Reen & Cathe, brothers-in-law, especially M&M, nieces and nephews, especially ½ a gram, his favorite niece, his fake son, his favorite nephew, close long-time friends Steve & Doug, all the kids who called him Dad, Randy, Kris , Scott, Ginny, Dodie, others who believed in him, & his fellow truckers. Skip touched the lives of many and losing him has left big holes in our hearts. We miss him greatly and anxiously await the day we will be together again.