Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
John Prescott Lovell died on March 4, 2023, just shy of 72 years old, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Ore., after suffering a stroke on Feb. 28. His wife, Kim Pfautz, and family members were by his side in his final days.
John was born on April 1, 1951, in Cold Spring, N.Y., the third of Laura and Jim Lovell’s four boys. He grew up in Garrison, N.Y., where he met his future wife and enjoyed hiking in the Hudson Valley and learning carpentry in his father’s construction company. He attended Highland Falls High School, where he was a varsity swimmer and graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University with a degree in political science.
After college, he lived in Christiansted, St. Croix, working in the hospitality business and honing his interest in journalism by following local issues. He then traveled to California to visit his Uncle John Lovell and settled in San Francisco, where he became a tour director, learning and narrating local history. He joined WQED, the public television station, and became the unit manager for the production of “Over Easy.” He and Kim met again while both were in San Francisco and married in 1981 on Thanksgiving Day in Truckee, Calif. Kim made her profession working for incentive travel programs, traveling all over the world. This fueled John’s love of travel and together they toured the globe hiking and appreciating local cultures.
John and Kim discovered Hood River, Ore., and moved there in 1991 to buy what would become the Beryl House Bed and Breakfast, a 1908 house John managed for 15 years. John’s skills with people and as a carpenter and cook served him well. He brought his organizational skills to co-creating the Hood River Bed and Breakfast Association. John and Kim then moved to Bingen, Wash., and after that Mt. Hood-Parkdale before moving to Underwood, Wash., in 2021, where they began renovations on their new home. John’s keen interest in architecture, the natural environment and local lore led him into the real estate business, working for Windermere for more than a decade. John was a well-known raconteur, who enjoyed learning all he could about where he lived and traveled. Anyone who visited with him and Kim were treated to his famous tours to area sights, to stories, hikes, and great meals. Although devoted to the Hood River region, he stayed in close touch with his brothers and their families and his wife’s family and made regular trips to Vermont, Boston, Cold Spring, N.Y. and the Maryland Eastern Shore to see them all.
John was predeceased by his parents, Laura Gene Lovell and James Reynolds Lovell, and youngest brother James Gere Lovell. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kimberly Pfautz; brother Christopher and wife Ellen; nephew Evan and wife Kristi and grandnieces Lucia, Isobel and Evelyn; brother Peter; sister-in-law Nancy Montgomery; niece Brooke; nephews Finn, Jack and Hudson; sister-in-law Leanne Pfautz and husband Barry Peoples; sister-in-law Annette Pfautz and her partner Larry Hopper; brother-in-law Wallis Pfautz and wife Karin Bauer; and numerous cousins. John’s family and friends will always treasure and remember his tenderness of heart, ability to connect with and care about people, his humor, and his notable variety of talents and interests.
A family service will be planned for a future date. Contributions in John’s honor may be made to Hood River Adopt-a-Dog, THRIVE Hood River, or Friends of the Columbia River Gorge.
To plant a tree in memory of John Lovell as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
We are so shocked and heartbroken by the news of John's passing. He was our agent when we bought our home in Hood River in 2006 and some properties since. We always thought of him more as a friend. To bump into him around town was always a nice surprise. His gentle smile, his chuckle, his kindness always lifted the day. In our eyes, another lovely part of the Hood River landscape has succumbed to the passage of time. We're better for having known him, are grateful for that opportunity, and will miss him dearly. Peace and blessings to the family and all who loved him. -Jeff and Angela
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We are so shocked and heartbroken by the news of John's passing. He was our agent when we bought our home in Hood River in 2006 and some properties since. We always thought of him more as a friend. To bump into him around town was always a nice surprise. His gentle smile, his chuckle, his kindness always lifted the day. In our eyes, another lovely part of the Hood River landscape has succumbed to the passage of time. We're better for having known him, are grateful for that opportunity, and will miss him dearly. Peace and blessings to the family and all who loved him. -Jeff and Angela
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.